VET Exclusive

Industrial production accelerated to a six-year high in the first half of 2026, supported by strong manufacturing growth, rising investment, and improving business conditions.

Vietnam kept inflation broadly under control in the first half of 2026, but narrowing policy headroom is expected to make price management increasingly challenging in the months ahead.

With first-half growth exceeding expectations, Vietnam now faces the tougher challenge of sustaining momentum while balancing investment, inflation, and financial stability.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Director General of the National Statistics Office at the Ministry of Finance, tells Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy about the drivers behind Vietnam’s robust first-half economic performance, the challenges that could weigh on growth in the second half, and the policy priorities needed to achieve the country’s ambitious 2026 GDP target.

As quantum computing moves from research toward commercialization, Vietnam could carve out a competitive position by leveraging its software expertise, engineering talent, and early investment in associated technologies.

Vietnam’s mobile app market continues to expand at a remarkable pace, but the industry’s next challenge is no longer attracting users - it is keeping them.