Vietnam Economic Times August 03 2026

Dear readers,

Vietnam posted GDP growth of 8.18 per cent in the first half of this year, which, though high, was nonetheless short of the growth needed to set the economy on a path toward double digit growth for 2026 as a whole. To achieve at least 10 per cent growth this year, the economy must now record growth of 11.9 per cent in the second half. This is a significant pressure point that requires extraordinary efforts in macro-economic management, as the economy faces a series of difficulties from both external and internal factors, especially the fluctuations in the global economy resulting from military conflicts in the Middle East, geopolitical and geoeconomic competition between major powers, and the trend toward global supply chain shifts and new tariff policies from the US.

The third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, held from July 20 to July 24, identified the key tasks and solutions for socio-economic development over the second half of the year, with determination to strive for growth of 10 per cent or more while maintaining macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring major economic balances, employment, income, and social security.

The challenge is to find effective solutions to overcome all difficulties and challenges to post growth of at least 11.9 per cent over the course of the second half.

To contribute to identifying solutions to address this pressure-filled issue, Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy organized the “Summer Economic Forum 2026” on July 30, with the theme “From Policy Decisions to Growth: Solutions to Promote Double-Digit Growth, Control Inflation, and Maintain Macro-economic Stability in the Last Six Months of 2026,” in line with the directions outlined in a report on “The Socio-Economic Situation in the First Six Months and Key Tasks for 2H 2026”, which was approved by the plenum.

The Forum focused on discussing urgent tasks aimed at achieving double-digit growth in the second half of the year, with a focus on leveraging growth drivers, coordinating policies effectively, stabilizing the macro-economy, and improving the quality of growth; identifying solutions to adapt to global supply chain shifts and new tariff policies from the US, along with many other solutions such as expanding total supply and increasing productivity to control inflation under high growth conditions; promoting a stronger recovery in the business sector, focusing on improving the quality of FDI enterprises and developing domestic enterprises, reducing dependence on public investment, and creating sustainable growth drivers; and mobilizing capital and other important resources for growth, among others.

To provide readers with the latest information on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation in light of the negative impact of unfavorable fluctuations in the global economy, as well as urgent tasks and solution packages aimed at achieving the double-digit growth target for 2026, our Cover Story in this edition focuses on the outcomes of the “Summer Economic Forum 2026,” hoping they will contribute to identifying solutions to successfully fulfil the socio-economic development tasks in the last six months of the year in such a way that “the operational machinery must ensure smooth functioning, address urgent bottlenecks, and strive to achieve the highest possible socio-economic goals,” as directed by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam at the national conference hosted by the Politburo on July 29 to study, learn, and implement the resolution from the third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee.

Warmest regards

Dr. CHU VAN LAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD