HÀ NỘI — As Việt Nam heads into 2026 amid projections of a global economic slowdown and ongoing uncertainties in international trade, strong existing foundations and the Government’s decisive leadership are fuelling optimism for a shift towards a faster and more sustainable growth phase.

2025 economy delivers impressive highlights

With fewer than 10 days left in 2025, Nguyễn Thị Hương, Director General of the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, said the Government’s target of growth of over 8 per cent for the year remains well within reach.

Việt Nam’s economy is on track to close 2025 on a strong footing, having maintained macroeconomic stability, fostered a favourable business environment and sustained market confidence.

The economy has shown notable resilience. Inflation has been kept under control at around 4 per cent, while exchange and interest rates have remained relatively stable, supporting production, exports and investment. These factors have helped cushion the economy against external shocks.

Exports are expected to surpass US$470 billion in 2025, marking a robust year-on-year increase of 16 per cent. Nguyễn Anh Sơn, director general of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted agriculture, forestry and fisheries as standout performers, with export turnover projected to reach a record high of nearly $70 billion.

Industrial growth has been supported by steady public investment disbursement. The Ministry of Finance reported that actual disbursement from the beginning of the year to December 11 totalled VNĐ577.7 trillion ($22.2 billion), equivalent to 63.3 per cent of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister. While this represents an improvement over the same period last year, it remains below the full-year target.

2026 economy driven by growth model overhaul

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has reaffirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to its twin centennial goals – becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle-income status by 2030, and a high-income developed nation by 2045.

To achieve these ambitions, the Prime Minister stressed the need to sustain annual growth of 10 per cent or higher, while maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, balancing major economic indicators and optimising resource allocation for socio-economic development.

He identified the “dual transformation” – green transition and digital transformation – as key drivers of rapid and sustainable growth. Accordingly, Việt Nam is restructuring its growth model to place science, technology, innovation, digitalisation and green development at the core of economic expansion across sectors.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of institutional reform, infrastructure development and improvements in workforce quality in advancing the green and digital transitions. These efforts, he said, are crucial to enhancing strategic autonomy, productivity, quality, efficiency, resilience and national competitiveness.

These factors will play a decisive role in shaping Việt Nam’s growth trajectory in the years ahead. — VNA/VNS