According to the Statistics Office, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached US$549.69 billion in the first six months of the year, up 27.1% year-on-year. Exports rose 21%, while imports increased by 33.4%.

The faster growth in imports than exports reflects expanding demand for production inputs and a strong recovery in manufacturing activities, particularly among foreign-invested enterprises. As imports outpaced exports, Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of US$16.65 billion.

The United States remained Vietnam's largest export market, with exports reaching US$86.5 billion, while China continued to be the country's largest source of imports at US$115.2 billion.

Huong said the 8.18% GDP growth achieved in the first half of 2026 represented a positive outcome and provided an important foundation for meeting the country's annual development targets.

However, she noted that significant challenges remain. As a highly open economy, Vietnam will continue to be affected by uncertainties in the global economy and geopolitics, as well as disease outbreaks and natural disasters. Achieving double-digit growth in 2026 will therefore require coordinated efforts from the entire political system, the Government, businesses, the public and continued support from international partners.

She said ministries, sectors and local authorities should proactively monitor developments and improve forecasting to ensure flexible policymaking and timely responses to emerging risks, while remaining committed to promoting growth alongside macroeconomic stability, inflation control, social welfare and improvements in people's living standards.

At the same time, Vietnam should maintain major economic balances, closely monitor global economic and political developments, regularly update growth and inflation scenarios, manage fuel prices flexibly and avoid simultaneous price adjustments for state-managed goods and services in order to ease inflationary pressure.

Average CPI rises 4.38%, core inflation at 4.12%

The Statistics Office reported that average CPI in the second quarter increased by 5.25% compared with the same period last year. For the first six months of 2026, average CPI rose by 4.38%.

The increase was mainly driven by a 4.79% rise in food and catering services prices and a 6.72% increase in housing, electricity, water and construction material costs, together contributing 1.53 percentage points to overall inflation.

Transportation prices increased by 5.23%, adding 0.52 percentage points to CPI growth, including an 8.9% increase in fuel prices.

Education prices rose by 3.3% as some private schools and vocational education institutions adjusted tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Prices for household equipment and appliances increased by 2.63%, while culture, entertainment and tourism services rose by 2.4%. Clothing, hats and footwear prices increased by 1.96%, and beverages and tobacco prices rose by 3.52%.

Core inflation averaged 4.12% during the first half of 2026, lower than the headline CPI increase of 4.38%. The Statistics Office attributed the difference mainly to sharp fluctuations in fuel, gas and food prices, which affect headline inflation but are excluded from the calculation of core inflation.

Among other price indicators, the average gold price index rose by 36.84% in the second quarter and by 58.12% during the first six months of the year compared with the same periods of 2025.

Meanwhile, the average US dollar price index increased by 0.93% in the second quarter and by 1.75% during the first half of the year.

Nguyen Le