Vietnam's economy grows steadily despite global challenges

ADB raises Vietnam's economic growth forecast to 6.7% for 2025. Photo: Hai Nguyen

Impressive growth despite global challenges

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s "Asian Development Outlook September 2025" report assessed that despite major global challenges, Vietnam's economy still achieved outstanding results in the first half of 2025. Growth reached an impressive level compared to the same period last year, up to 7.5% compared to 6.4% in the first half of 2024, marking the highest level in the first six months of the year since 2010.

According to ADB experts, although Vietnam's public investment has not yet reached the full-year plan, actual disbursement has contributed to helping the construction sector increase by 9.6% compared to 7.3% in the same period in 2024.

On the demand side, ADB assessed that strong trade growth and increased foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursements contributed to boosting the economy in the first half of 2025. Gross capital accumulation increased by 8.0% due to public investment disbursements increasing by 42.3% year-on-year, reaching 30% of the annual plan. Fiscal and monetary stimulus measures also boosted domestic demand, with final consumption increasing by 8%, compared to 5.8% in the same period last year.

A surge in export orders before the US reciprocal tariffs boosted trade in the first eight months of 2025. Exports increased 14.8% to about $306 billion through August 2025. The fastest-growing major markets over the same period were the US (26.4%), South Korea (11.8%), China (9.2%) and Japan (9%). Meanwhile, imports increased 17.9% to about $292 billion, mainly electronics, computers and components. The trade surplus reached about $14 billion, lower than the $18.8 billion in the same period last year.

FDI inflows into Vietnam remain strong, supporting the industrial sector. In the first eight months of 2025, FDI disbursement increased by 8.8% year-on-year to US$15.4 billion — the highest level for an eight-month period in the past five years.

In the first eight months of 2025, inflation was maintained within the Government 's target range. Average inflation was 3.3%, lower than the previous year's 4% and within the target range.

Steady thanks to expansionary fiscal and monetary policies

Regarding the outlook, ADB experts assess that Vietnam's economy will remain resilient in the 2025-2026 period, thanks to expansionary fiscal and monetary policies.

Reciprocal US tariffs that take effect from August 7, 2025 — 20% on imports and 40% on transit goods — could weigh on short-term growth, but economic stimulus policies are expected to mitigate the impact.

"Growth forecasts are revised up to 6.7% for 2025 and down to 6.0% for 2026, while inflation forecasts are slightly lower than in the April report," the ADB report forecast.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/kinh-te-viet-nam-tang-truong-vung-vang-bat-chap-thach-thuc-tren-toan-cau-3378062.html