Hanoi (VNA) - As Vietnam heads into 2026 amid projections of a global economic slowdown and international trade uncertainties, existing foundations and the Government’s drastic leadership are fueling optimism for a shift toward faster, more sustainable growth phase.
2025 economy delivers impressive highlights
With fewer than 10 days left in 2025, Director General of the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Nguyen Thi Huong said the Government's target of over 8% growth for the year is still very much within reach.
Vietnam's economy is on track to end 2025 on a high note, having maintained macroeconomic stability, supported a conducive business climate and sustained market confidence.
The economy has proven remarkably resilient. Inflation has been kept in check at around 4%, while exchange and interest rates have stayed relatively steady, bolstering production, exports and investment. These factors have acted as a strong buffer against external pressures.
Exports are on pace to top 470 billion USD in 2025, reflecting a robust 16% year-over-year jump. Nguyen Anh Son, Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, pointed to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as standout performers, with exports projected to reach a record-breaking nearly 70 billion USD.
Industrial output has been complemented by steady public investment disbursement. The MoF reported that actual spending from the start of the year through December 11 totaled 577.7 trillion VND (22.2 billion USD), or 63.3% of the Prime Minister's assigned plan. Though an improvement over the same period last year, the figure still trails the full-year goal.
2026 economy driven by growth model overhaul
Eyeing 2026 and the longer horizon, PM Pham Minh Chinh has reaffirmed Vietnam's unwavering pursuit of its twin centennial ambitions: becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle-income by 2030, and emerging as a high-income developed nation by 2045.
Achieving these requires pushing annual growth to 10% or more, alongside macroeconomic stability, controlled inflation, balanced key indicators and optimal resource allocation for socio-economic development.
He pinpointed the "dual transformation" - green transition and digital transformation - as critical to rapid and sustainable progress. Vietnam is accordingly revamping its growth model to make science, technology, innovation, digitalisation and green development the core drivers across sectors.
The leader underscored institutional reforms, infrastructure upgrades and workforce quality as essential to advancing the green transition and digital transformation, ultimately boosting strategic autonomy, economic productivity, quality, efficiency, resilience and competitiveness.
These elements, he said, will be decisive for Vietnam's growth trajectory in the years ahead./.
