At a regular press briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 8, spokesperson Pham Thu Hang responded to reporters’ questions following the General Statistics Office’s release of Vietnam’s 2025 socio-economic data, including an estimated GDP growth of 8.02% year on year. She addressed how the international community views Vietnam’s 2025 growth performance and the outlook for 2026.

Amid global uncertainty, sluggish world growth and unprecedented extreme weather at home, Vietnam has emerged as a bright spot for macroeconomic stability and economic growth under the timely, decisive and close direction of the Party and the Government, she said.

All 15 out of 15 key socio-economic targets for 2025 were met or exceeded. Macroeconomic fundamentals remained broadly stable, inflation stayed under control, growth stayed high, and major economic balances were maintained.

GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 is estimated at 8.46%, while full-year growth reached 8.02%. Economic output amounted to about US$514 billion, ranking 32nd globally. Per-capita income stood at around US$5,026, up US$326 from 2024, placing Vietnam in the upper-middle-income group.

Total import-export turnover is estimated at more than US$930 billion, up 18.2% year on year, positioning Vietnam among the world’s top 20 trading economies. Disbursed FDI hit US$27.62 billion, up 9%, the highest level recorded since 2021.

These outcomes have drawn recognition and positive assessments from the international community. Many economists, foreign investors and international partners regard Vietnam as one of the few bright spots amid a subdued global economy.

The International Monetary Fund ranks Vietnam among the top 10 fastest-growing economies worldwide. International observers also highlight the continued robust expansion of traditional drivers such as trade, investment and tourism, alongside the emergence of new growth engines including science and technology and digital transformation. New development models and growth spaces are taking shape, providing a foundation for the next period of development.

On that basis, the spokesperson said Vietnam will continue to prioritize several areas, including further refinement of institutions and the legal framework to ensure transparency, consistency and fairness; continued reform of the state administrative apparatus; growth alongside macroeconomic stability, inflation control and safeguarded major balances; a new growth model centered on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; timely delivery of strategic infrastructure projects; development of high-quality human resources; and improvements in living standards and social welfare.

Socio-economic achievements provide foundations for “Era of Vietnamese Nation’s Rise”

Socio-economic and foreign relation achievements provide foundations for Vietnam to enter the “Era of the Vietnamese Nation’s Rise” mentioned recently by Party General Secretary To Lam, said Kyril Whittaker, British researcher of Vietnamese politics and history and member of the Communist Party of Britain.