Vietnamese economy forecast to grow 6.1% this year: WB

The report points out that Vietnam’s economic growth is expected to pick up in 2024, driven by a rebound in manufactured exports and tourism, and recovering consumption and business investment 

However, the report also highlights the resilience of the Vietnamese economy despite rising global challenges. It notes that the economy is not yet back to its pre-pandemic growth path. Enhanced public investment would provide short-term stimulus while also addressing emerging infrastructure gaps – for example in energy, transport, and logistics – which are becoming a growing constraint on growth, the report said. Bank asset quality remains a concern given rising non-performing loans (NPLs) and should be closely monitored by the authorities.

“During the first half of the year, Vietnam’s economy benefitted from the rebound in export demand,” said World Bank East Asia and Pacific Practice Manager for Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment Sebastian Eckardt.

“To sustain growth momentum not only for the rest of the year but over the medium-term, the authorities should deepen structural reforms, step up public investment while carefully managing emerging financial risks”, he added.

A special chapter of the report finds that development of capital markets would provide a vital source of long-term funding for Vietnam's economy and help the country achieve its goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2045. The report highlights key challenges, including underdevelopment of the institutional investor base and underutilization of the Vietnam Social Security fund (VSS).

The report recommends a stronger policy framework, in which VSS could be a force in driving capital market development. Policies that would allow markets to reclassify Vietnam from Frontier Market status to Emerging Market status would help attract more foreign investors, as would reforms to enhance market transparency and investor protection. Effective coordination among financial regulators is crucial for achieving these goals.

Meanwhile, World Bank Senior Financial Sector Specialist Ketut Ariadi Kusuma said "Billions of dollars of global investment funds will flow into the capital markets if Vietnam is upgraded to the Emerging Market status". 

"At the same time, gradual diversification of VSS investment is key not only to improve its long-term investment returns, but also to fuel Vietnam’s economic growth through investments in the corporate sector", he noted.