HCMC – Standard Chartered has said Vietnam will continue to be among Asia’s fastest-growing economies this year.
Tim Leelahaphan, senior economist for Vietnam and Thailand at Standard Chartered, said, “Vietnam would remain one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, supported by manufacturing competitiveness, resilient export performance, continued FDI inflows, and improving domestic demand.”
Growth prospects are underpinned by Vietnam’s manufacturing base, export performance and sustained FDI, alongside a recovery in domestic demand, said Leelahaphan. He added that the Government’s focus on supporting growth may allow relatively accommodative monetary conditions in the near term, while tighter global financial conditions and trade-related developments could contribute to exchange rate volatility.
The assessment was presented at Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam’s Global & Vietnam Outlook for the first half of 2026, held in HCMC on January 19. The event brought together clients, business leaders and industry stakeholders to discuss global and domestic economic developments shaping the 2026 outlook. It featured presentations and a panel discussion on global, regional and Vietnam market dynamics, with a focus on inflation trends, policy developments, currency movements and capital flows.
Nguyen Thuy Hanh, CEO and Head of Banking & Coverage at Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, said Vietnam’s growth in 2025 reflected resilient domestic capacity, a competitive manufacturing sector and adaptable businesses, while noting that 2026 would require continued vigilance.
On the global outlook, Edward Lee, chief economist and head of FX for ASEAN and South Asia at Standard Chartered, said global growth in 2026 is expected to remain steady at 3.4%, unchanged from 2025, with Asia still growing faster than other regions.
