The 10% growth target for 2026 is undeniably ambitious—potentially surpassing international forecasts. Yet, it also serves as a catalyst, compelling Vietnam to take bold, decisive action and pursue deeper structural reforms. The Ministry of Finance is currently drafting Vietnam’s socio-economic development plan for 2026, setting ambitious targets: a GDP growth rate of 10%, per capita income between US$5,400 and US$5,500, inflation around 5%, and a reduction in multi-dimensional poverty by 1–1.5%. As the first year of the 2026–2030 five-year plan, 2026 is expected to mark the beginning of a new growth cycle. The prime minister has emphasized that the plan must deliver on the double-digit growth target through synchronized and focused policy measures. However, Vietnam’s 10% GDP growth target for 2026 stands in stark contrast to international forecasts. The World Bank projects a slowdown to 6.1% in 2026, followed by a rebound to 6.5% in 2027. The Asian Development Bank anticipates 6.3% growth in 2025 and 6% in 2026, while the International Monetary Fund forecasts 6.5% for 2025 and just 5.6% for 2026. United Overseas Bank has raised its 2025 forecast to 7.5%, yet maintains a 7% projection for 2026. This gap underscores the divergence between Vietnam’s bold domestic ambitions […]