Vietnam posts strongest first-half GDP growth in over a decade

Agro-forestry-fishery expanded by 3.84%, industry and construction by 8.33%, and the services sector by 8.14%, contributing 5.59%, 42.4%, and 52.21%, respectively, to the overall growth.

Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal (Photo: VNA)
Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese economy achieved its strongest performance in over a decade, with gross domestic product (GDP) rising by 7.52% in the first half of the year, the highest since 2011, according to the Ministry of Finance’s National Statistics Office of Vietnam (NSO).

At a press conference in Hanoi on July 5, NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong highlighted that this was a positive result, reflecting the whole political system’s determination, concerted efforts, and drastic actions in managing and implementing socio-economic development tasks amidst regional and global volatility.

Breaking down the GDP by sectors, agro-forestry-fishery expanded by 3.84%, industry and construction by 8.33%, and the services sector by 8.14%, contributing 5.59%, 42.4%, and 52.21%, respectively, to the overall growth.

Farming activities maintained stable growth, meeting both domestic consumption and export demands. Agricultural value-added increased 3.51% compared to the same period last year, while that of the forestry sector rose 7.42% but with minimal impact due to its smaller share, and the fisheries sector 4.21%.

The industrial and construction sector saw notable gains, with the overall industrial index rising 8.07% against the same time last year. In the meantime, the processing and manufacturing industry was the motive of the economy, posting a 10.11% growth.

The electricity production and distribution sector grew by 4.2%, while water supply and waste management services expanded by 7.3%. The construction industry delivered exceptional performance with 9.62% growth, the highest rate compared to the same period from 2011 to 2025. In stark contrast, the mining sector contracted 4.25%.

vna-potal-nam-2025-ca-nuoc-phan-dau-dat-muc-tieu-gdp-dat-8-tro-len-7856737.jpg
Steel sheet production at Hoa Phat Steel Co., Ltd. (Photo :VNA)

Several service industries showed impressive performance across the board. Wholesale and retail trade increased by 7.03%, transportation and warehousing 9.82%, and financial, banking, and insurance activities 6.53%. The hospitality and catering sector experienced strong growth of 10.46%.

Public service sectors also recorded significant expansion as part of the country's organisational restructuring, with administrative and support services activities growing by14.58%, while activities of the Party, socio-political organisations, state management, national security and defence, and mandatory social security rising by 13.09%.

The economic structure in the first half saw agriculture, forestry, and fisheries accounting for 11.28% of GDP, industry and construction representing 36.96%, services comprising 43.40%, and taxes less subsidies on products making up 8.36%./.

VNA

See more

A view of Dinh Vu port in Hai Phong city. (Photo: VNA)

Circular on domestic maritime transport permits for foreign vessels issued

Under the circular, which will take effect from February 1 next year, the Minister of Construction will grant the permits for cases such as transporting oversized or overweight cargo or other types of goods using specialised vessels; clearing congested cargo, passengers, and luggage at ports when Vietnamese ships are unable to handle them; and conducting disaster relief, disease control, or emergency humanitarian aid.

At a tax office in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Decree regulates corporate income tax incentives

A CIT rate of 15% applies to enterprises with a total revenue in the preceding year of not more than 3 billion VND (114,000 USD), while a CIT rate of 17% applies to enterprises with a total revenue in the preceding year of over 3 billion VND but not more than 50 billion VND.

Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown area and the Thu Thiem peninsula, where the International Financial Centre is being developed. (Photo: VNA)

GOE Alliance commits to partnering with HCM City IFC

The GOE Alliance was officially launched at the Autumn Economic Forum in November 2025, bringing together technology firms, financial institutions, policy experts and international partners, including Viettel Digital Services, Dragon Capital, Tether, Ava Labs, Sky Mavis, Republic and Onchain Academy. The alliance aims to pilot on-chain economic models within a policy-oriented legal framework.

Vietnam's foreign trade is projected to hit a record of over 900 billion USD in 2025, positioning the country among the top 15 global trade powers. - Illustrative image (Photo: dantri.vn)

Vietnam joins elite group of 15 largest trading countries

The country recorded its first trade surplus in 2012 and has maintained a continuous streak of surplus for 10 years since 2016. The surplus grew steadily, hitting 19.9 billion USD in 2020, a record of 28.3 billion USD in 2023, and 24.9 billion USD in 2024.

Officials visit a booth at the festival. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam OCOP Festival 2025 opens in Hanoi

The festival functions as a space to bring together regional OCOP excellence, a forum connecting OCOP stakeholders with distributors, investors, experts and consumers, and a platform to spread pride in indigenous culture, local knowledge, and the aspiration for legitimate prosperity.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (third from right) and officials launch the Ministry of Construction’s new information technology systems at the conference on December 21. (Photo: VNA)

Modern, comprehensive infrastructure – a need for fast, sustainable development: PM

The Party and State continue to define infrastructure development as one of the three strategic breakthroughs, with priority given to building comprehensive and modern infrastructure, particularly transport facilities, technological infrastructure, and green – digital transition infrastructure, to help realise the national target of double-digit growth, the PM said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses he third meeting of the National Steering Committee implementing the Politburo’s Resolution 68 in Hanoi on December 20. (Photo: VNA)

PM pushes trust, breakthroughs to accelerate private sector growth

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that since the rollout of Resolution 68, alongside supporting resolutions from the National Assembly (NA) and Government, there has been a marked change in understanding the private sector’s critical position and role in Vietnam’s socialist-oriented market economy.

PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Private sector thrives eight months after Resolution 68’s launch: PM

The private sector has shown marked progress eight months after the launch of Resolution 68, registering about 18,000 new enterprises monthly and pushing the nationwide total to nearly 1.1 million, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told the third meeting of the National Steering Committee in Hanoi on December 20.

Phin Ho Tra – a national five-star OCOP product. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Hanoi to host Vietnam OCOP Festival 2025

The festival is seen a practical activity celebrating the achievements made by the capital and the country in 2025, affirming OCOP’s role in rural economic development, contributing to realising Vietnam’s aspiration for strong economic growth in the context of deep integration.