DOMESTIC CAPITAL MARKET PRIORITIZED FOR GROWTH
Nguyen Thanh Nghi, who is also Secretary of the Party Central Committee, was speaking at a national hybrid conference on April 13 as he presented the key contents of the resolution adopted at the second plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee on Vietnam’s socio-economic development plan, national financial strategy, public debt management, and medium-term public investment for 2026-2030.
ADB FORECASTS VIETNAM GROWTH ABOVE 7% THROUGH 2027
Growth is projected at 7.2% in 2026 and 7% in 2027, remaining above 7% despite global risks, the Asian Development Bank reported. The forecast, published in the April 2026 Asian Development Outlook on April 10, is lower than the estimated 8% expansion in 2025 but reflects resilience to external shocks. ADB attributed the outlook to steady exports, especially ahead of potential U.S. tariff adjustments, along with stable domestic policies and continued investment.
HCMC LOOKS TO BREAK GROUND ON THREE MAJOR PORTS IN APRIL
While investors want to break ground on these projects, the HCMC Department of Construction has warned that only one project is currently eligible for commencement, while the other two face significant regulatory bottlenecks. These projects are the Cai Mep Ha General and Container Port (Phase 1), the Gemadept-Terminal Link (Phase 2) and the Can Gio International Transshipment Hub.
CHINA SURPASSES U.S. AS VIETNAM’S TOP AGRO-FORESTRY-FISHERY PRODUCTS BUYER IN Q1
China overtook the United States as Vietnam’s largest market for agro-forestry-fishery products in the first quarter of 2026, as shipments to the northern neighbor surged, data showed. Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports in January-March reached US$16.69 billion, up 5.9% versus the year-ago period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND
The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.
VIETNAM KEEPS GROWTH TARGET AT 10% OR HIGHER AMID GLOBAL UNCERTAINTIES
Vietnam keeps its economic growth target unchanged at 10% or above despite rising global uncertainties and domestic challenges, according to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Chinh made the remarks while chairing the Government’s regular monthly meeting for March, held alongside an online conference with local authorities to review socio-economic performance in the first quarter of 2026 and outline priorities for the coming months.
VIETNAM’S GDP EXPANDS 7.83% IN Q1
Vietnam’s economy accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, with GDP expanding 7.83%. However, a return to a trade deficit of US$3.64 billion and a sharp rise in inflation in March signal renewed pressure on macroeconomic stability. Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the National Statistics Office, said in the first quarter socio-economic report that Vietnam’s GDP was estimated to expand 7.83% year-on-year in Q1 2026, higher than the roughly-7% growth recorded in the same period last year.
STATE BUDGET REVENUE TOPS VND829 TRILLION IN Q1
Vietnam’s state budget revenue in the first quarter of 2026 amounted to an estimated VND829 trillion, equivalent to 32.8% of the year’s target and up 11.4% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Domestic revenue continued to anchor state finances, totaling around VND740.7 trillion, up 12.5%. Net revenue from import and export activities, after value added tax refunds, was estimated at VND77.4 trillion, up 7.6%, while revenue from crude oil exports was around VND11.2 trillion, down 15.8%.
