Viet Nam sustains positive socio-economic performance in January-May period
VGP – Viet Nam has sustained positive socio-economic performance in the first five months of 2026 despite increasingly complex and unpredictable global developments, particularly the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan said.
Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan (1st from R)
Addressing the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the finance minister said the index of industrial production (IIP) in May was estimated to increase by more than 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first five months, the index grew by over 9 percent, marking the highest growth rate for the corresponding period since 2021. The manufacturing and processing sector expanded by nearly 9.5 percent.
Domestic consumption remained a key growth driver. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenues in the January-May period rose by more than 11 percent year-on-year, the highest increase since 2024.
International arrivals reached a new record high of nearly 11 million, up almost 15 percent from a year earlier.
Agricultural production maintained stable growth. The disbursed volume of public investment was estimated at VND 219.4 trillion by the end of May, equivalent to 21.6 percent of this year's plan. Although the disbursement rate was similar to that of the same period last year, the absolute value increased by around VND 34.8 trillion.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a bright spot as newly registered FDI was estimated at more than US$24 billion, up 33.4 percent year-on-year, while disbursed FDI reached US$9.75 billion, an increase of 9.6 percent.
Other notable achievements included total import-export turnover reaching an estimated US$445.12 billion, the highest level on record and up 25 percent year-on-year.
The number of newly established and resumed enterprises reached 142,600, up 27.6 percent from the same period last year and exceeding the number of market exits.
