International organizations have continued to regard Vietnam as a “growth star” in Southeast Asia. The country’s strong recovery and the Government’s flexible policy management have helped reinforce its position as one of the region’s most dynamic economies.

According to Singapore’s Business Times, Vietnam is emerging as a standout performer that could become Southeast Asia’s best-performing economy this year. Despite facing US tariff measures, the country has recorded a robust 7.5% expansion, the highest six-month growth rate since 2010.

At a press briefing on Vietnam’s Economic Outlook 2025-2026, Shantanu Chakraborty, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Vietnam, said 2025 will be a challenging year for the Vietnamese economy, particularly due to tariff-related issues. Vietnam has been subject to several high duties under the US reciprocal tariff policy.

However, despite mounting headwinds, the economy still performed strongly in the early quarters, reaching 7.5%. Accordingly, the ADB has raised its 2025 growth forecast to 6.7% from the previous 6%.

The positive outcome was largely driven by a surge in exports ahead of new US tariff implementations, while foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows remained solid. Over the past eight months of this year, FDI disbursement reached US$15.4 billion, up nearly 9% year on year. Although new project commitments have slowed as investors assess the impact of US tariffs, foreign enterprises already operating in Vietnam have increased their reinvestment pledges, showing continued confidence in the market.

International organizations have also hailed the Vietnamese Government’s economic management capacity, recognizing it as one of the most effective in the region. Vietnam is striving to sustain growth, balance fiscal and monetary policies, and move toward its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

ADB’s Country Director noted that the Vietnamese Government is advancing a series of transformative “mega-projects,” including high-speed railway development and major power initiatives under the Power Development Plan VIII, which are expected to boost growth.

It has also carried out wide-ranging reforms at both provincial and central levels. The speed and effectiveness of these reforms are key factors behind the economic rebound. Moreover, Vietnam has effectively mitigated the challenges from US tariff policies by taking full advantage of free trade agreements and expanding ties with other markets, Chakraborty said.

In the context of global geopolitical tensions and the ongoing shift of manufacturing from China, the US website Ainvest described Vietnam as an attractive destination for new investment flows, supported by rapidly improving logistics infrastructure. Recently, three Vietnamese ports - Ho Chi Minh City Port (ranked 22nd), Hai Phong Port (29th), and Cai Mep Port (30th) , were listed among the world’s top 100 container ports by Lloyd’s List of the UK.

Experts predict the Vietnamese economy will remain resilient through 2025-2026, supported by expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. Although new US tariffs may cause short-term impacts, ongoing stimulus packages are expected to cushion the effects.

Meanwhile, efficient public investment disbursement, strategic spending on digital transformation and sustainable development, and deep institutional reforms will continue to strengthen Vietnam’s growth momentum, competitiveness, and regional standing.

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