🇻🇳 Vietnam Economic Highlights (December 2025)
- KBC-LINK Editor
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 7
From articles published between December 2025 and January 2026, we have carefully selected the most relevant updates on Vietnam’s economy, policies, and industrial trends for Japanese and overseas small and medium-sized enterprises as well as investors. The selection is based primarily on official statistics, government announcements, and major economic media and professional publications.
Vietnam Economic News – 10 Key Highlights
Manufacturing PMI remains in expansion territory in the final month of 2025
Vietnam’s manufacturing PMI in December 2025 stayed above the 50-point threshold, indicating continued expansion. Export orders and employment supported the recovery, while FDI inflows remained concentrated in the processing and manufacturing sectors. This provides useful short-term demand indicators for companies considering new production bases or capacity expansion.
FDI disbursement in the first 11 months of 2025 reaches the highest level in five years
Cumulative FDI disbursement from January to November reached approximately USD 23.6 billion, up 8.9% year-on-year. About 83% flowed into processing and manufacturing, followed by real estate. Even amid a global investment slowdown, Vietnam continues to stand out as a preferred destination.
Vietnam strengthens its position as a key economic hub in Southeast Asia
Vietnam surpassed other major regional economies in FDI inflows, reinforcing its role as a “China plus one” destination. Investments are increasingly directed toward advanced manufacturing, high technology, and renewable energy, making this a key macro trend for companies considering long-term diversification strategies.
Clear shift in FDI policy from quantity to quality
The government has clarified its move toward quality-oriented FDI, prioritizing high-tech, green, and high value-added projects. Requirements related to technology transfer and environmental standards are also being tightened. This creates opportunities for companies with strong technological and ESG capabilities, while low-cost–driven models may require reassessment.
Overview of GDP, FDI, and trade performance in 2025
GDP growth exceeded 8% in Q3 2025 and remained robust throughout the year. FDI surpassed USD 31.5 billion in the first ten months, with more than 60% directed to manufacturing. These figures provide a solid data foundation for assessing market entry timing and risk tolerance.
Agricultural, forestry, and fisheries exports reach a record USD 70 billion
High value-added products such as rice, coffee, and seafood led export growth. The number of processing facilities exceeded 8,000, and the share of deep processing rose above 30%. This points to concrete opportunities in food OEM, packaging, cold storage, and logistics-related businesses.
Growth strategy for agriculture and environment toward 2026
The government set a 2026 GRDP growth target of over 4.33% for the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors, promoting “eco-agriculture” and “modern rural development.” Smart agriculture, agri-DX, and environmental technologies are positioned to benefit from strong policy support.
Health insurance coverage exceeds 95% as healthcare reform accelerates
Most healthcare sector targets have been met, with expanded hospital infrastructure and major reforms planned from 2026 onward. This highlights investment opportunities across medical devices, hospital IT systems, telemedicine, and healthcare-related services.
Wage, tax, and healthcare payment reforms effective from 2026
From January 2026, minimum wages will rise, certain personal income tax burdens will be reduced, and compensation for healthcare workers will improve. Companies need to revisit labor cost assumptions, while increased purchasing power and expansion of healthcare markets are also expected.
National logistics strategy and investment opportunities
Vietnam’s logistics market was valued at approximately USD 52 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 72 billion by 2030. Priority areas include smart warehouses, cold chains, e-commerce fulfillment, and digital logistics, making this essential reading for manufacturing, e-commerce, real estate, and IT-related businesses.
These updates are compiled based on information from Vietnamese government sources, leading economic media, and professional research institutions. While manufacturing-led FDI continues to expand, structural transformations in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics are progressing simultaneously. This period marks an important phase for redesigning business strategies with a view toward 2026 and beyond.
Edited & Summarized by:
KBC-LINK Editorial Team (presented with our unique perspective and local insights)
