Local economic performance in the third quarter of 2026 recorded robust growth across many jurisdictions, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
Among the nation's total 34 centrally-run cities and provinces, and only nine surpassed the 10% threshold in the first half of the year, and the number, however, rose to 17 in Q3 2026.
Leading the pack were Quang Ninh (15.04%), Thai Nguyen (13.96%), Bac Ninh (13.83%), and Hai Phong (13.09%). They were followed by Hung Yen (12.01%), Ha Tinh (11.84%), Da Nang (11.83%), Dien Bien (11.67%), Khanh Hoa (10.66%), Lao Cai (10.58%), Ninh Binh (10.54%), Thanh Hoa (10.49%), An Giang (10.28%), Tay Ninh (10.24%), Dong Nai (10.21%), Nghe An (10.11%), and Hanoi (10.02%).
For the first nine months combined, 12 localities achieved cumulative growth above 10%: Quang Ninh (12.54%), Ha Tinh (12.36%), Hai Phong (12.08%), Bac Ninh (11.81%), Ninh Binh (11.31%), Thai Nguyen (11.24%), Hung Yen (11.22%), Khanh Hoa (11.21%), Da Nang (10.31%), Tay Ninh (10.30%), Phu Tho (10.01%), and Dong Nai (10.01%).
The primary engines behind this double-digit expansion across multiple localities were the industry–construction and services sectors.
In Q3 2026, 30 out of 34 localities registered growth exceeding 10% in the industry and construction sector. Notably, An Giang posted an increase of 26.27%, followed by Thai Nguyen (20.34%) and Quang Ninh (18.51%). These gains were driven by newly commissioned production capacity at electronics and equipment manufacturing plants, surging demand in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, and concerted efforts to accelerate public investment disbursement. Concurrently, the services sector saw 11 provinces top the 10% growth mark in Q3, led by Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Hai Phong, largely fueled by international cultural and tourism festivals alongside a steady rebound in domestic consumer spending.
Meanwhile, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector continued to serve as an economic anchor, maintaining steady growth of 2% to 5%. However, heavy reliance on agriculture also exposed structural limitations in some areas.
Over the nine-month period, six localities fell short of expectations, recording growth rates below 8%: Can Tho, Lang Son, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, Vinh Long, and Son La.
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