Many international analyses suggest that, despite structural challenges and global volatility, the current development strategy is helping Vietnam maintain impressive growth momentum, gradually affirming its position as a rising economy in Asia.
The McGill International Review (MIR) of Canada has an article stating that Vietnam, although still facing many internal challenges, has achieved remarkable growth rates and is emerging as a strong candidate for the title "Asian tiger" in the new development phase.
According to MIR, Vietnam's current development model is shaped by two important pillars. One is the state's ownership and control role in key sectors of the economy. Two is flexible foreign policy, allowing Vietnam to maintain a strategic balance in relations with both China and the United States - two powers with deep influence in the region.
The success of this mixed economic model is clearly reflected in development indicators. Since 1990, the poverty rate in Vietnam has decreased sharply, helping about 40 million people escape poverty and almost completely eliminate extreme poverty by 2020. This is considered one of the most outstanding social achievements of Vietnam in more than 3 decades.
Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) increased by nearly 50% in the period 1990-2022, bringing Vietnam into the group of countries with "high human development" as assessed by the United Nations Development Program. Along with that, access to health services, general education and higher education, as well as the literacy rate of people have all been clearly improved.
Notably, Vietnam's economic growth rate for many consecutive years has approached 7-10%, the growth threshold that once made the names of the "Asian tigers" in the peak period of industrialization. This is the basis for many international observers to place Vietnam in the group of economies with breakthrough potential in the medium and long term.
Sharing the same positive opinion, China Daily highly appreciates Vietnam's trend of innovation and strong transformation. The article emphasizes Vietnam's rapid growth achievements on the path to becoming one of the leading economies in Southeast Asia, while expanding its influence to the global market, despite facing increasing challenges from tariff barriers.
In 2025, a growth rate of more than 8% is considered an important milestone, making Vietnam a rare bright spot in the context of the world economy continuously fluctuating due to geopolitical conflicts, inflation and increasing protectionist trends.
The main drivers of growth include exports maintaining expansion momentum, increased foreign direct investment flows, boosted infrastructure investment, along with policies to stimulate domestic consumption and strengthen relations with traditional trading partners.
Stepping into 2026, maintaining macroeconomic stability, continuing institutional reform and promoting the effectiveness of the current development model is considered the key for Vietnam to maintain its growth momentum and gradually realize its aspiration to become an "Asian tiger" in the new development stage.
