Confidence in Viet Nam as premier investment destination remains strong: EuroCham

In its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the first quarter of 2026 released on Wednesday, EuroCham reported that an impressive 93 percent of European businesses say they would recommend the market, which is among the highest endorsement levels in the history of the BCI.

This indicates that investors are clearly distinguishing between short-term operational challenges and their long-term strategic outlook.

EuroCham reported the index at 72.7 points, down 7.3 points from its peak of 80 in the fourth quarter of 2025. The decline reflects a pragmatic recalibration by investors in response to escalating geopolitical tensions.

However, the index remains significantly higher than the average of the past four years, underscoring a consistent message that while global turbulence may weigh on short-term sentiment, Viet Nam's long-term appeal is firmly preserved.

EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert said, the BCI data shows that while the geopolitical weather outside may be stormy, Viet Nam's economic foundations remain resilient.

The survey revealed that companies with deeper engagement in Viet Nam tend to perform better. Among firms positioning Viet Nam as a key market in their regional strategy, 65–68 percent reported positive business results and 96 percent were willing to recommend the country.

By contrast, companies with only a limited or cautious presence in Viet Nam show far weaker results, with just 23 percent reporting positive performance and less than half recommending the market, dwarfing the metrics slightly.

Jaspaert said that "when over nine out of ten businesses continue to champion this market, it speaks volumes about Viet Nam's extraordinary potential for growth. The sustained GDP performance we are seeing, with Q1 2026 expanding by 7.83 percent – outpacing the same period last year, reinforces this confidence."

The numbers in this BCI proved that the deeper companies anchor their operations in Viet Nam, the more financially resilient they become, even when the broader global picture is fraught with risk, he said.

Notably, the newly elected Government has also highlighted the focus on private economy as a key driver of growth. These are exactly the foundations investors look for when making long-term commitments, Jaspaert said.

"As Viet Nam enters this era of rising, competitiveness will increasingly depend on execution: easing administrative burdens, decentralising decision-making, and ensuring greater regulatory clarity. EuroCham stands ready to work closely with the Government and our partners to turn these priorities into real outcomes, ensuring that Viet Nam's strong growth story continues to attract investment, innovation, and sustainable development," the EuroCham Chairman said./.