That is the assessment of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang - Institute of International Trade and Economics, National Economics University when assessing the health of businesses in the first 8 months of 2026.
In the first 8 months of 2026, the whole country had nearly 138.1 thousand newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of nearly 1,708.3 trillion VND, increasing by 7.7% and 36.2% respectively compared to the same period last year. What do the above figures reflect about the health and trust of the business community, sir?
- The number of newly established businesses has increased, while registered capital has increased more strongly, showing that confidence in the market and business prospects are being revealed quite clearly. This development shows that business support policies are going in the right direction. We are both protecting the existing business force and increasing the new business force, including private enterprises, foreign-invested enterprises and state-owned enterprises operating effectively.
Vietnam is preparing to form a new generation of businesses, which is a signal that the economy is likely to enter a period of stronger development, with the business force playing an important leverage role in creating value and promoting growth.
Besides the number of newly established businesses, there are more than 88,000 businesses temporarily suspending business for a definite term (down 7.3% compared to the same period), about 28.6 thousand businesses ceasing operations and undergoing dissolution procedures (down 40.3% compared to the same period). On average, 19.7 thousand businesses withdraw from the market each month. How do you assess these figures?
- The fact that new businesses are established and businesses withdraw from the market is a natural process of screening and restructuring of the market. Businesses that do not have time to digitally transform, do not have orders, and cannot adapt to market changes are forced to narrow down or withdraw. Conversely, businesses that are faster, more flexible, more dynamic, grasp market demand and find new directions will have the opportunity to develop.
This can be seen as a "blood transfusion" process of the economy, in which old forces that are no longer suitable are gradually replaced by new forces with higher competitiveness and adaptability.
However, not all businesses that temporarily suspend operations are weak businesses. Some businesses proactively temporarily suspend operations to consolidate their organizations, restructure, adjust business models and strengthen resilience before returning to the market. This shows that the current market is more difficult and competitive than before, and it is no longer easy to do business according to the old model. Conversely, businesses that are confident, find new directions, have new orders and partners, promote innovation and catch up with trends will be able to rise up.
In this process, private enterprises, innovative startups, foreign-invested enterprises operating well, or capable business households and transforming into businesses can all seize new opportunities. The market is opening up "new lands", but that opportunity is not for everyone. Equality of opportunity does not mean that any business can survive if it does not have sufficient adaptive and competitive capacity.
What recommendations do you have for businesses in the coming time?
- Businesses need to see the current screening process as a driving force for change instead of just considering it as pressure. In the context of increasingly fierce competition, businesses cannot continue to maintain the old way of doing things if they do not create advantages in terms of cost, technology and market.
First of all, businesses need to proactively restructure, review their business models, control costs and improve productivity. Digital transformation also needs to be implemented substantively, associated with the requirement to improve management efficiency, production and customer access, instead of chasing trends.
In addition, businesses need to proactively seek new markets and partners, improve innovation capacity, and gradually participate more deeply in the supply chain. In particular, green transformation, energy saving, emission reduction and improving transparency will increasingly become conditions for businesses to maintain competitiveness.
Thank you, sir!
