Vietnam Economic Times September 29, 2025

Dear readers,

Vietnam is now a highly open economy, with exports becoming an important pillar of growth, contributing to GDP, job creation, and foreign investment attraction. In today’s uncertain global environment, where protectionism and US reciprocal tariffs are shrinking world trade, Vietnam faces a critical crossroads in its long-term development strategy.

The context and reality show that, in the time to come, Vietnam will be unable to sustain growth by merely expanding export volumes, as in the past. Instead, the country must shift towards increasing the share of domestic value added in exported goods, so that even with the same volume of exports, the value retained within the economy rises.

The solution lies in strengthening Vietnam’s role in supply chains by securing higher value-added segments in global value chains. This is also the core foundation for building an independent, self-reliant economy and effectively unlocking the country’s internal strengths.

2025 holds special significance for Vietnam: the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025), and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), with the 40th anniversary of the Doi Moi reforms (1986-2026) fast approaching. It is also a decisive year for accelerating and completing the five-year socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025, serving as a pivotal milestone to usher the country into a “New era - The era of the nation’s rise”.

With the mission of spreading the strategic vision, promoting reform of the growth model, and awakening internal strengths to power Vietnam’s economic momentum in this new era, the Central Commission for Policy and Strategy and the Vietnam Economic Association will co-host the third annual Vietnam New Economy Forum, with the theme “Vietnam’s Economic Resilience - From Inner Strength to the Global Value Chain”. The Forum will be organized by the Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, the Department of General Economic Affairs, and Tap chi Kinh te Vietnam (Vietnam Economic Times).

Our Cover Story in this edition takes up this theme, with expert and policymaker insights on new growth challenges, harnessing internal strength, enhancing export value, and elevating Vietnam’s role in global value chains.

Within the framework of the Forum, the organizers will also hold the launch ceremony of the “Vietnam Future Forum 2045” and the “Vietnam on the Rise” program. In addition, the Vietnam Economic Association and Tap chi Kinh te Viet Nam / Vietnam Economic Times will host the 22nd Vietnam Excellent Brands Award, announcing and honoring 80 outstanding enterprises across diverse sectors.

Warmest regards

Dr. CHU VAN LAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD