Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are accelerating, strengthening Vietnam's push for higher economic growth. But the final quarter of 2026 will require substantial investment, faster project implementation and relief from rising business costs.

Remittances to Ho Chi Minh City reached more than 2.83 billion USD in the third quarter of 2026, up 39.5% from the previous quarter and 3.6% year-on-year.

Commercial banks currently provide nearly half of total credit supply for the national economy, while life insurance capital lacks long-term investment channels.

Vietnam's economy gained momentum in the first nine months of 2026, led by Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. But meeting ambitious year-end growth targets will require more investment, faster project execution and relief from rising business costs.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said Vietnam's average worker income has reached VND 9.06 million (approximately US$344), up nearly 9.4%. The base salary rose 8% from July 1, 2026, while allowances for commune-level officials increased from 25% to 55%.

Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (UOB) has raised its forecast for Vietnam’s GDP growth in 2026 to 9.2% from 8.5%, following stronger-than-expected third-quarter performance and upward revisions to first-half figures.

The FTSE Russell upgrade of Vietnam’s stock market on September 21 opens the door to foreign capital, but the harder task is how to make the country a core, long-term allocation rather than a small weighting in global portfolios.

IMF’s estimates that Vietnam's GDP purchasing power parity (PPP) will surpass $2 trillion, rising to second place in Southeast Asia and 22nd globally in the coming years, presents an encouraging macroeconomic signal.

Vietnam’s GDP grew by 9.01 percent in the first nine months of 2026, significantly higher than the global 2.9 percent. 

Vietnam's economy is growing rapidly, but domestic firms still account for a small share of exports. Behind the impressive GDP figures lies a deeper question: how much value can VN businesses retain, and can they grow and create better-paid jobs?

Vietnam's banks provide nearly half of the economy's financing, while life insurers hold billions of dollars with limited long-term investment options. Bridging that gap could help unlock capital for the country's next stage of development.

Vietnam’s foreign currency issuer credit rating has been upgraded from BB+, with a positive outlook, to BBB-, with a stable outlook, by Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) on October 8, the Ministry of Finance announced.

For Vietnam's smaller provinces, achieving 10% economic growth may seem easier on paper, but sustaining that pace requires an expanding pool of businesses, productive investment and new sources of value that can grow year after year.

VN's economy expanded 9.01% in the first 9 months of 2026, far outpacing the 2.9% global growth forecast for the year. Reaching its full-year target of at least 10% will require a strong final quarter, with public investment playing a crucial role.

The World Bank has raised its forecast for Vietnam’s economic growth in 2026 by 1.1 percentage points to 7.4%, citing stronger-than-expected manufacturing and exports of high-tech and artificial intelligence (AI)-related goods. 

Vietnam has called for stronger global partnerships to support developing countries and create new momentum for sustainable development, stressing the need for an open, fair and inclusive international financial architecture.

Cost advantages for Vietnamese enterprises no longer hold as they did before. So, how will businesses compete over the next three to five years?

Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew an estimated 9.95% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026. This was up from 8.15% in the first quarter and 8.81% in the second, National Statistics Office Director Nguyen Thi Huong said on October 3.

Vietnam’s economy expanded 9.01% year on year in the first nine months of 2026, while consumer prices rose 4.52% and core inflation increased 4.26%, providing momentum as the country pursues double-digit growth for the full year.