Vietnam’s Economic Performance in 2025: A Robust Journey
Vietnam’s economy showcased remarkable resilience and growth in 2025, achieving 8% GDP growth despite facing numerous challenges, including a tough global market and natural disasters. This impressive performance is reflected in key indicators, including stable foreign direct investment (FDI), controlled inflation rates, and robust trade expansion.
Vietnam’s GDP Growth Performance
According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam’s GDP grew by an impressive 8.02% in 2025. This translates to nearly VND 12.85 quadrillion (around US$514 billion), signifying an increase of approximately US$38 billion from 2024. The rise in GDP per capita reached VND 125.5 million (about US$5,026), reflecting an upward trajectory of US$326 compared to the previous year.
Sector Contributions
The country’s economic structure saw positive growth across all three major sectors:
- Industry and Construction: The fastest-growing sector, with an increase of 8.95%, contributing 43.62% to overall growth.
- Services: This sector played a pivotal role, accounting for 51.08% of overall growth with an increase of 8.62%.
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries: Experienced a modest increase of 3.78%, contributing 5.30%.
| Sector | Growth Rate (%) | Contribution to Overall Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries | 3.78 | 5.30 |
| Industry and Construction | 8.95 | 43.62 |
| Services | 8.62 | 51.08 |
Inflation and Consumer Prices
Vietnam managed to keep inflation under control, with the consumer price index (CPI) rising by 3.31% in 2025. This aligns well with the inflation control targets set by the National Assembly, with price pressures primarily stemming from:
- Housing-related costs
- Food services
- Healthcare
- Education
CPI Breakdown
The GSO reported varying price changes across different categories:
| CPI Category | Price Change (%) | Contribution to CPI (Percentage Points) | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing, Electricity, Water, and Fuel | +6.08 | +1.38 | Higher rental housing and maintenance costs |
| Food and Catering Services | +3.27 | +1.17 | Increased food and dining-out prices |
| Healthcare Services | +13.07 | +0.61 | Adjustments in medical service fees |
| Miscellaneous Goods and Services | +4.78 | +0.17 | Broad-based price increases |
| Education | +2.15 | +0.13 | Tuition fee adjustments at private schools |
| Transport | –2.14 | -0.21 | Decrease in gasoline prices |
Core inflation averaged 3.21%, largely influenced by excluding volatile components like food and energy.
Credit Growth and Monetary Policy
The financial landscape in Vietnam also showed robust credit growth, with an increase nearing 18%. As of December 2025, total outstanding credit reached VND 18.4 quadrillion (US$670 billion), marking a 17.87% increase compared to the end of 2024. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) maintained an accommodative yet disciplined monetary policy to support infrastructure development and private investments, while ensuring exchange rate stability.
Foreign Direct Investment Trends
Vietnam attracted substantial foreign direct investment (FDI), with newly registered capital exceeding US$38.4 billion, marking an increase of 0.5% year-on-year. Disbursed FDI was estimated at US$27.6 billion, a 9% increase from 2024, reflecting robust investor confidence despite global uncertainties.
Investment Distribution
In 2025, the distribution of FDI by sector showed:
- Manufacturing and Processing: Attracting the largest share with US$9.8 billion (56.5% of new FDI).
- Real Estate: Secured nearly US$3.7 billion (21.2%).
- Other Sectors: Attracted a total of US$3.85 billion (22.2%).
The number of newly licensed FDI projects peaked at 4,054, showcasing a 20.1% rise but with a decline in registered capital, indicating a trend towards smaller projects.
Top Foreign Investors
Singapore emerged as the largest investor, with a registered capital of US$4.8 billion, followed by China and Hong Kong, affirming the dominance of Asian investors.
| Rank | Country/Territory | Registered Capital (US$ Billion) | Share of Newly Registered Capital (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 4.8 | 27.9 |
| 2 | China | 3.6 | 21.0 |
| 3 | Hong Kong (China) | 1.7 | 9.8 |
| 4 | Japan | 1.6 | 9.2 |
| 5 | Sweden | 1.0 | 5.8 |
Trade Performance
Vietnam’s total trade value in 2025 surpassed US$930 billion, showcasing an 18.2% year-on-year growth and achieving a trade surplus of approximately US$20 billion. This growth highlights the strong export momentum alongside rising import demand.
Export and Import Dynamics
Exports reached US$475 billion, up 17% year-on-year. The export structure showed:
- Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) accounted for 77.3% of total exports, significantly contributing to the overall export growth.
Conversely, imports expanded at 19.4%, reaching US$455 billion, driven primarily by production inputs and machinery demands.
Major Trade Partners
The trade balance demonstrated Vietnam’s continued strengthening, particularly in exports to the United States, which remained the largest export market. Exports totaled US$153.2 billion with a trade surplus of US$134 billion.
- European Union: Recorded a substantial surplus with exports worth US$38.6 billion.
- China: Remained the largest source of imports, resulting in a growing trade deficit of US$115.6 billion.
Vietnam’s economic performance in 2025 reflects a resilient and adaptive economy, with strong growth indicators across various sectors, supported by strategic foreign investments and trade practices.