Vietnam Economic Times TET Special edition 2026

Dear readers,

In Vietnam, every time Tet (the Lunar New Year) approaches and Spring comes into view, the country seems woven with brocade and embroidered with flowers. Spring, the season marking the beginning of a new year, is like youth: always full of vitality. Trees sprout and flourish, and countless flowers compete in color and fragrance in the cool weather, thus providing inspiration for every family to celebrate Tet and for everyone to enjoy Spring with a joyful and eager mindset, waiting for the best of a new year filled with happiness and prosperity.

This Tet marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse, with great faith in and aspirations for a “soaring” Vietnam, as the country transforms and enters a new era of development, following the strategic orientation and vision approved by the 14th National Party Congress, which successfully concluded on January 23.

The Year of the Horse also marks the 96th Spring since the Communist Party of Vietnam was founded. During these 96 Springs under the Party’s leadership, the country has undergone miraculous transformations. Under the Party’s guidance, our nation, from the status of a “national slave,” “emerged from blood and fire, shaking off mud, standing bright,” as described by Poet Nguyen Dinh Thi in his well-known poem “Homeland,” then reclaimed its independence and freedom, unifying the homeland, and gradually developing. As a result, after nearly 40 years of “Doi Moi” (Economic Renewal), Vietnam has escaped from the group of the 20 poorest countries in the world and become a nation with a GDP of $514 billion and foreign trade turnover of more than $930 billion in 2025 - the final year of the five-year socio-economic development plan, per the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress.

During this time, across Vietnam’s three regions - northern, central, and southern - everywhere is adorned with flags and flowers celebrating Tet, with joy multiplied many times over by the successful outcome of the 14th National Party Congress that marked the start of a new era of development for the country, “The era of the nation’s rise,” as stated by Party General Secretary To Lam.

The great and comprehensive achievements attained in 2025 and in the 2021-2025 period created both a premise and a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue to rise in the early years of the new era of development.

In the new year, new opportunities in development will open up for Vietnam, which will, with strength and potential resulting from the success of 40 years of “Doi Moi”, overcome all inevitable “headwinds” from unpredictable global fluctuations.

Coincidentally, Vietnam’s new era of development begins with the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes dynamism, freedom, strength, and enthusiasm, promising many breakthrough opportunities.

It is hoped that in this Year of the Horse, the year that marks the beginning of the five-year socio-economic development plan (2026-2030), approved by the 14th Party Congress, Vietnam’s economy will achieve growth of at least 10 per cent, according to the goals set by the Congress. And if this becomes a reality, the Year of the Horse 2026 will be marked as the first year in the nation’s history that Vietnam achieved double-digit economic growth, laying the groundwork for similar growth targets in the years to follow.

The business community in Vietnam - both domestic and foreign - plays a key role in the collective effort to successfully achieve the double-digit growth target. Resolutions No. 68-NQ/TW and 79-NQ/TW from the Politburo (13th term) on the development of the private and State economies, respectively, serve as both a guiding principle and a motivating force to encourage all types of enterprises, both private and State-owned, to continue developing and boost production and business as the main force in the country’s socio-economic development.

Dear readers,

As a reliable source of economic information for all readers, including businesspeople, Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy wishes you and your family a prosperous, happy, and thriving Year of the Horse!

Happy New Year to all!

Warmest regards,

Dr. CHU VAN LAM,

CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD