Speaking at a press conference on July 3, Nguyen Thi Huong, director general of the General Statistics Office, said Vietnam's economy delivered encouraging results across most sectors in the second quarter and the first half of 2026 despite continued global economic uncertainty.
Gross domestic product (GDP) grew an estimated 8.39 per cent year on year in the second quarter, bringing first half growth to 8.18 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Industrial production maintained strong momentum during the second quarter, with the Industrial Production Index (IIP) estimated to have risen 11.2 per cent year on year. For the first six months of 2026, the index increased 10.8 per cent, the highest first half growth since 2019, led by an 11.4 per cent expansion in manufacturing and processing industries.
The General Statistics Office said nearly 111,700 new businesses were established nationwide during the first half of the year, with combined registered capital of VND 1,352.6 trillion (approximately USD 51.8 billion) and almost 515,300 registered employees. Compared with the same period last year, the number of newly established businesses rose 22.5 per cent, registered capital increased 64.8 per cent, while registered employment fell 12.8 per cent.
More than 58,100 businesses resumed operations during the period, down 5.5 per cent from a year earlier. As a result, the total number of newly established and reopened businesses reached more than 169,800, up 11.2 per cent year on year.
During the first half of 2026, around 85,900 businesses temporarily suspended operations, up 6.3 per cent from the same period last year. Nearly 41,200 businesses ceased operations while awaiting dissolution procedures, an increase of 21 per cent, while almost 24,000 businesses completed dissolution procedures, up 94.7 per cent.
Retail sales and consumer services remained a key driver of domestic demand, with total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue rising 12.9 per cent year on year during the first six months.
Tourism also maintained solid growth, supported by favourable visa policies, stronger promotional campaigns, diversified tourism products and the expansion of international visitor markets. International arrivals reached 12.3 million in the first half of 2026, an increase of 14.9 per cent from a year earlier.
Total social investment at current prices was estimated at VND 1,807.8 trillion (approximately USD 69.2 billion) in the first six months, up 12.9 per cent year on year. The increase reflected continued expansion in investment activity, supporting production, business activity and economic growth.
As of June 30, total registered foreign investment, including newly registered capital, additional capital and foreign investors' share purchases, reached USD 34.65 billion, up 61 per cent from the same period last year. Realised foreign direct investment totalled USD 13.03 billion, an increase of 11.2 per cent and the highest first half level recorded since 2022.
Vietnam's total import and export turnover reached USD 549.69 billion during the first six months of 2026, up 27.1 per cent year on year. Exports increased 21 per cent, while imports rose 33.4 per cent.
The faster growth in imports suggested expanding demand for production inputs and reflected a strong recovery in manufacturing activity, particularly among foreign invested enterprises. Vietnam recorded a merchandise trade deficit of USD 16.65 billion during the period.