Vietnam's economy continues to attract foreign investors seeking a manufacturing base, access to a growing domestic market, and stronger participation in Asian supply chains. The National Statistics Office estimated that GDP grew by 8.02% in 2025, with the economy reaching approximately US$514 billion and GDP per capita reaching US$5,026.
Vietnam enters 2026 with continued growth momentum, alongside a clear government focus on productivity, higher-value manufacturing, digital transformation and infrastructure. The Government is targeting average annual GDP growth of at least 10% during 2026-2030 and GDP per capita of around US$8,500 by 2030.
Looking towards 2036, these developments provide an important context for businesses assessing Vietnam as a long-term investment and operating market.
Vietnam entered the second half of 2026 with continued economic expansion. According to the National Statistics Office, industrial production increased 11.9% year-on-year during the first eight months of 2026, while total inward foreign investment reached US$40.63 billion, up 55.4% year-on-year. Disbursed FDI reached US$17.25 billion, an increase of 12.0%.
Domestic activity also remained strong. Retail sales of goods and services increased 13.3% year-on-year during the first eight months of 2026, while international visitor arrivals reached approximately 15.9 million, up 14.4% year-on-year.
Vietnam recorded GDP growth of 8.02% in 2025, with GDP reaching approximately US$514 billion at current prices and GDP per capita reaching US$5,026. The economy continues to benefit from manufacturing, exports and domestic demand, while the next phase of development places greater emphasis on productivity, technology, skills and higher-value economic activity.
For 2026-2030, the Government is targeting average annual GDP growth of at least 10%, GDP per capita of around US$8,500 by 2030, manufacturing and processing contributing approximately 28% of GDP, and the digital economy accounting for about 30% of GDP.
These targets form part of Vietnam's broader ambition to become a high-income economy by 2045.
Vietnam's long-term development vision is to become a high-income developed country by 2045. The Government's current 2026-2030 targets provide an important step towards this goal, including average annual GDP growth of at least 10%, GDP per capita of approximately US$8,500 by 2030, annual labour productivity growth of around 8.5% and a digital economy contribution of approximately 30% of GDP.
Achieving this transition will require more than maintaining economic growth. Vietnam is also focusing on productivity, higher-value manufacturing, technology, skills development and stronger connections between domestic businesses and global investors.
Demographic change, workforce capabilities, infrastructure and the effective implementation of economic reforms will remain important factors in determining how successfully Vietnam moves towards its 2045 high-income ambition.
Long-term economic projections point to a significant improvement in Vietnam's global and regional position. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) projected in its World Economic League Table 2022 that Vietnam would rise from 41st globally in 2021 to 20th by 2036, becoming the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.
This projection provides a long-term perspective on Vietnam's economic potential, but it should be viewed as a forecast rather than a guaranteed outcome. Reaching this projected position will depend on continued productivity growth, higher-value production, infrastructure development, workforce capabilities and effective implementation of economic reforms.
Vietnam's current economic performance provides a stronger baseline for assessing this longer-term outlook. GDP grew by 8.02% in 2025, while the Government is targeting average annual GDP growth of at least 10% between 2026 and 2030 as part of its broader development strategy.
Vietnam's economic outlook provides a foundation for long-term investment planning, but entering the market requires decisions based on the specific business model, sector and operating requirements.
Before entering or expanding in Vietnam, investors should:
Ascentium Vietnam supports foreign investors with corporate advisory and outsourcing services across market entry, establishment and ongoing operations.