Vietnam’s GDP is estimated to have grown 9.01% in the first nine months of this year, marking strong economic growth. (Source: VNA)

Vietnam’s economic picture in the first nine months of 2026 recorded a number of positive results, with GDP growth, industrial production and foreign investment attraction continuing to stand out as key bright spots.

According to figures released by the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance on 3 October, Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2026 is estimated to have increased 9.95% year on year, higher than the growth rates of 8.15% in the first quarter and 8.81% in the second quarter. Overall, GDP grew 9.01% in the first nine months.

Growth was recorded relatively evenly across a number of sectors. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in the third quarter is estimated to have risen 14.8% year on year. In the first nine months, IIP increased 12.3%, the highest growth rate for the same period since 2019.

The agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector continued to serve as a key pillar of the economy, growing 4.02% in the first nine months, also the highest growth rate for the same period since 2019. According to the National Statistics Office, fisheries, livestock farming and perennial crops were important drivers of the sector, contributing to food security and exports.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction remained a bright spot. Total registered FDI in Vietnam since the beginning of the year reached US$50.36 billion, up 76.4% year on year. Disbursed FDI stood at US$21.07 billion, the highest level for the first nine months of the past five years.

Business formation also maintained a positive trend. In the first nine months, nearly 149,700 new enterprises were registered nationwide, with total registered capital of around VND1.88 quadrillion. Compared with the same period last year, the number of newly registered enterprises increased 3.2%, while registered capital rose 32.7%.

Alongside growth, inflationary pressures remain a factor to be monitored. The average Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the first nine months increased 4.52% year on year, while core inflation rose 4.26%. State budget revenue exceeded VND2.18 quadrillion, equivalent to 86.5% of the annual estimate and up 12.1% year on year.

Nevertheless, the final months of the year are expected to present a number of challenges as the global economy continues to be affected by geopolitical conflicts, energy price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and changes in trade and monetary policies in major economies.

According to Director General of the National Statistics Office Nguyen Thi Huong, to achieve the target of double-digit growth in 2026, the economy needs to maintain strong momentum in the fourth quarter, with a focus on accelerating public investment disbursement, removing difficulties for production and business activities, and improving the effectiveness of investment attraction.