According to the Asia Development Outlook (ADO) publication in September 2026 announced on September 23, Vietnam's economy maintained strong growth momentum in all sectors in the first half of the year, with gross domestic product increasing by 8.2%, higher than the 7.5% level in the same period of 2025. Growth momentum came from the processing and manufacturing industry continuing to expand, domestic consumption increasing sharply and foreign direct investment capital being maintained stably.
Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty - Country Director of ADB in Vietnam assessed that Vietnam's positive economic results in the first half of this year show solid resilience and the potential to maintain strong growth momentum of the economy.
To maintain this trend and achieve higher quality progress, Vietnam needs to continue to manage the macroeconomy cautiously to curb inflation, ensure financial stability, accelerate structural reforms, and ensure the economy continues to expand based on investment, bringing about improvements in productivity," said Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty.
ADB has raised its growth forecast for 2026 from 7.2% in the ADO July 2026 publication, while the forecast for 2027 was also raised from 7%, reflecting stronger domestic demand, accelerated investment and solid growth in the processing and manufacturing industry. Inflation is expected to be at 4.3% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027, in the context of continued demand pressure and increased energy and import costs.
According to ADB representatives, although Vietnam's growth prospects in the short term are still positive, risks lean towards a downward trend. Weakening global demand and increased external uncertainty may put pressure on growth, while rising energy prices and tighter global financial conditions may increase inflationary and exchange rate pressures.
Domestically, rapid credit growth may increase the risk factors of the financial system, while small businesses continue to face difficulties in accessing capital.
ADB also emphasized the importance of maintaining macroeconomic stability, improving the efficiency of public investment deployment, deeply developing the capital market, strengthening the private sector and improving productivity to support Vietnam's transformation into a high-income country.
