The figure reflects not only a strong industrial performance but also the province's preparations for a new development cycle.

Thai Nguyen's GRDP is estimated to increase 10.01 percent in the first half of 2026, ranking ninth nationwide. Growth in the second quarter alone reached 11.28 percent, the third-highest rate in the country. 

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose 19.88 percent, while the industry and construction sector grew 13.52 percent, contributing around 63.3 percent of overall GRDP growth.

One of the key growth drivers was the FDI sector, as electronics manufacturers continued to expand their investments.

Dowooinsys Vina in Thai Nguyen, a member of South Korea's NP Group, specializes in producing UTG cover glass for foldable displays, with 100 percent of its output currently supplied to Samsung Display. 

In the first phase, the company invested $120 million to build its factory. In the second phase, it is expanding its facility at Song Cong II Industrial Park with an investment of $130 million. Construction began in early July.

Dowooinsys Vina is one of 260 active foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the province. Thai Nguyen currently leads the country in FDI attraction, particularly in high-tech projects.

In the first six months of 2026, the province's total export turnover is estimated at $17.6 billion, up 13.9 percent year-on-year. Smartphones, tablets and electronic products accounted for 94.5 percent of total export value. Import turnover is estimated at $11.8 billion, up 19.8 percent.

Not chasing short-term growth

Behind the growth figures is a shift in the province's development mindset.

Tran Quang, head of the Thai Nguyen Statistics Office, said GRDP not only reflects the size of the economy but also the effectiveness of local governance and the ability to mobilize resources.

He said the province is not pursuing short-term growth at all costs, but is prioritizing investment in infrastructure, cleared land, administrative reform, improvements to the investment environment and the selection of projects with high technological content.

These areas may not generate immediate GRDP growth in the short term, but they will determine the province's long-term competitiveness.

Party Committee Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong said the local administration is shifting from a management role to one of accompanying businesses, from planning and site clearance to completing investment procedures and implementing projects. 

This approach has helped shorten project timelines, reduce costs for businesses and improve the competitiveness of the investment environment.

Ha Van Cuong, director of Bac Kan Agricultural Products JSC, said the biggest attractiveness of Thai Nguyen is the way local authorities proactively engage in dialogue, listen to businesses and support them from the early stages of investment preparation. This creates confidence for businesses to pursue long-term projects and expand production linkages with local residents.

The project portfolio spans various sectors, including industrial park infrastructure, processing industries, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, tea-growing areas, ecotourism, logistics and digital transformation.

12.69 percent growth targeted 

At a regular meeting in July, chair of the Thai Nguyen People's Committee, Vuong Quoc Tuan, said the province must achieve 12.69 percent growth in the final six months of the year to meet the 2026 GRDP growth target assigned by the Government. He described this as a major challenge amid ongoing economic difficulties.

To create new growth momentum, Thai Nguyen is accelerating infrastructure investment. The province is currently implementing 49 site clearance projects across 23 communes and wards. So far, more than 694 hectares have been inventoried, with compensation and support plans approved for more than 407 hectares. 

At the same time, infrastructure is being developed at several new industrial parks, while strategic transport routes are being expedited to expand development space and strengthen regional connectivity.

One of Thai Nguyen's current strategic priorities is to expand its development space toward the northern part of the province. The area is expected to become a new development hub, benefiting from available land, forest resources, natural landscapes and potential for ecological agriculture, concentrated raw-material production, medicinal plants, forestry-based economic activities, forest environmental services and tourism.

According to Le Kim Phuc, director of the Department of Finance, sustainable growth depends on the ability to mobilize, allocate and efficiently use resources. Therefore, alongside promoting production, Thai Nguyen will focus on improving the efficiency of public investment, enhancing the investment environment and creating greater fiscal space to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare and social welfare.

Bao Khanh