Vietnam’s economy grew 8.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, exceeding the previous forecast of 7%. In the first half of the year, GDP expanded 8.2%, with industry and construction remaining key drivers of growth, alongside a recovery in manufacturing activity and domestic demand.
Standre Bezuidenhout, deputy head of regional corporate mergers and acquisitions at international law firm DFDL, said Vietnam had demonstrated its ability to turn geopolitical and supply-chain shifts into opportunities to attract investment, according to AFP.
He noted that Vietnam continued to attract manufacturing activity, deepen trade integration and strengthen its position as a reliable destination for investment flows.
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Customers sit next to their shopping bags at a mall in HCMC, November 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran |
The growth momentum was also reflected in trade and foreign investment. Vietnam’s exports reached $266.52 billion in the first six months of 2026, up 21% year-on-year, while foreign investment rose 61% to $34.65 billion.
Standard Chartered forecasts Vietnam’s GDP to grow 9.5% in 2026 and 11% in 2027, according to a recent report cited by Xinhua. Standard Chartered also lowered its 2026 inflation forecast for Vietnam to 4.4%, saying monetary policy could continue to support growth while keeping inflation under control.
Tim Leelahaphan, Standard Chartered’s senior economist for Thailand and Vietnam, said the Vietnamese economy had demonstrated strong resilience in the first half of 2026. Growth was driven by manufacturing, services and investment, supported by policies aimed at promoting economic expansion.
Against a backdrop of continued global economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures, Leelahaphan said Vietnam was entering the final months of 2026 from a strong position, underpinned by robust domestic demand, continued investment in infrastructure and production capacity, and an ongoing economic transformation. These factors are expected to support the country’s long-term development goals.