Industry accelerates, new businesses entering the market increase
According to data from the Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), in 8 months of 2026, many growth drivers of the economy continued to record positive results. Industrial production in August continued to maintain positive growth momentum. The index of industrial production (IIP) in the month is estimated to increase by 1.5% compared to the previous month and increase by 14.4% compared to the same period last year. Overall, in 8 months of 2026, the IIP index increased by 11.9% compared to the same period last year, which is the highest increase in 8 months compared to the same period last year in many years.
Along with the increase in industrial production, the business sector continues to have an increase in the number of newly registered enterprises and capital scale. In the first 8 months of 2026, the whole country has nearly 138.1 thousand newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of nearly 1,708.3 trillion VND and a total number of registered workers of nearly 657.7 thousand workers, an increase of 7.7% in the number of enterprises, an increase of 36.2% in registered capital and a decrease of 15.4% in the number of workers compared to the same period last year.
In addition, the whole country has nearly 66.3 thousand businesses returning to operation (down 15.8% compared to the same period in 2025), bringing the total number of newly established and returning businesses in the first 8 months of 2026 to nearly 206.4 thousand businesses, down 1.4% compared to the same period in 2025. On average, 25.8 thousand newly established and returning businesses per month.
However, the number of businesses withdrawing from the market is still at a noteworthy level. In general, in 8 months of 2026, the number of businesses temporarily suspending business for a definite term is more than 88 thousand businesses, down 7.3% compared to the same period last year; nearly 28.6 thousand businesses stopped operating waiting for dissolution procedures, down 40.3%; more than 40.8 thousand businesses completed dissolution procedures, up 125.5%. On average, 19.7 thousand businesses withdraw from the market per month.
FDI capital implemented highest in 5 years
In the foreign investment sector, FDI capital continued to record strong growth. Total registered foreign investment capital into Vietnam as of August 31st, 2026 reached 40.63 billion USD, an increase of 55.4% compared to the same period last year. Foreign direct investment (FDI) implemented in Vietnam in the first 8 months of 2026 is estimated at 17.25 billion USD, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year. This is the highest foreign direct investment capital implemented in 8 months in the past 5 years.
Newly registered capital has 2,771 projects licensed with registered capital reaching 21.72 billion USD, an increase of 9.4% compared to the same period last year in the number of projects and an increase of 96.8% in registered capital. In which, the processing and manufacturing industry licensed for new foreign direct investment is the largest with registered capital reaching 12.15 billion USD, accounting for 55.9% of the total newly registered capital.
The increase in production activities and investment capital flows is also reflected in the scale of goods trade. In August, total import and export turnover of goods reached 109.7 billion USD, down 0.1% compared to the previous month and up 31.7% compared to the same period last year. In general, in 8 months of 2026, total import and export turnover of goods reached 770.14 billion USD, which is the highest level in 8 months to date, up 28.7% compared to the same period last year; of which exports increased by 22.4%; imports increased by 35.3%. Trade balance of goods trade deficit of 20.46 billion USD.
Meanwhile, the price level is still under pressure from fuel prices. The consumer price index (CPI) in August increased by 0.47% compared to the previous month, mainly due to domestic gasoline and oil prices adjusting up according to world fuel prices. CPI in August increased by 3.57% compared to December 2025 and increased by 4.89% compared to the same period last year. In general, in 8 months of 2026, CPI increased by 4.45% compared to the same period last year; core inflation increased by 4.24%.
Along with drivers from production, investment and trade, service activities, especially tourism, continue to make positive contributions to overall growth. The number of international visitors to Vietnam in the first 8 months of 2026 reached 15.9 million, an increase of 14.4% compared to the same period last year. The above results are thanks to the security, safety, and social order being ensured; favorable visa policies, promotion and advertising work being promoted, diverse tourism products along with advantages in natural landscapes, culture, cuisine and reasonable travel costs.
