Report on socio-economic situation in May and five months of 2026

1. Agriculture, forestry and fishing

a) Agriculture

– Spring rice: In 2026, the national cultivation area of spring rice reached 2,932.2 thousand hectares, showing a year-on-year decrease of 37.5 thousand hectares, of which, the Northern localities cultivated 1,036.3 thousand hectares, showing a year-on-year decrease of 14.1 thousand hectares, the Southern localities cultivated 1,895.9 thousand hectares, showing a decrease of 23.5 thousand hectares.

As of May 20^th, 2026, the harvested area of spring rice nationwide reached 2,218.6 thousand hectares, accounting for 75.7% of the cultivated area, equaling to the same period in 2025, of which Southern localities harvested 1,856.6 thousand hectares, accounting for 97.9%, equaling to 98.6%.

– Summer rice: as of May 20^th, 2026, along with the spring rice harvest, southern localities sown 826,000 hectares of summer rice, equaling to 78.7% of the same period last year.

– Annual crops: The area of crops cultivation including maize, peanut and vegetables showed a year-on-year drop due to low economic efficiency.

– Livestock: Cattle and buffalo farming experienced a downward trend. Pig and poultry farming witnessed a positive growth, diseases was under control, and farm gate pig prices was favorable this month, creating momentum for expansion and regenerating the livestock. The total number of pigs nationwide at the end of May showed a year-on-year rise of 2.8%; poultry rose by 3.5%; while cattle decreased by 2.1%; and buffalo decreased by 5.5%.

b) Forestry

Generally, in the  first five months of 2026, the total area of new concentrated planted forest was estimated at 112.1 thousand hectares, showing a year-on-year decrease of 3.1%; the number of scattered trees reached 36.8 million, showing an increase of 1.5%; and the production of exploited wood reached 8,689.4 thousand m3, showing an increase of 2.9%, the area of forest damaged  reached 296.2 hectares, showing a year-on-year decrease of 50.9%, of which 252.3 hectares of forest cut or damage, showing a decrease of 45.9%; and 43.9 hectares of forest burned, showing a decrease of 68.1%.

c) Fishing

Capture fisheries and aquaculture production in May 2026 reached 913.2 thousand tons, showing a year-on-year increase of 4.3%. Of which, aquaculture production was estimated at 543.9 thousand tons, showing a rise of 6.6%; Production of capture fisheries was estimated at 369.3 thousand tons, showing a decrease of 1.0%. Generally, in the first five months of 2026, the production of capture fisheries and aquaculture was estimated at 3.960.1 thousand tons, showing a year-on-year growth of 3.5%, of which, aquaculture production was estimated at 2,327.1 thousand tons, showing a climb of 5.7%, production of capture fisheries was estimated at 1.632,9 thousand tons, showing  an increase of 0.5%.

2. Industrial production

– Industrial production in May continued to maintain positive growth momentum. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) was estimated to increase by 3.3% month-on-month and grow by 8.8% year-on-year. Generally, in the first 5 months of 2026, the IIP grew by 9.1% over the same period last year, marking the highest growth rate for the first five months of the year compared with the same period in the past four years.

– The IIP in the first 5 months of 2026 experienced a year-on-year increase in all 34 provinces and municipalities.

– Number of employees in industrial enterprises as of May 1st, 2026 saw a month-on-month growth of 1.1% and year-on-year increase of 3.4%.

3. Enterprise registration situation

In May, the whole country had over 17.0 thousand newly established enterprises, a month-on-month decrease of 16.5%, and a year-on-year increase of 12.5%; 9.1 thousand resumed operation enterprises, a month-on-month decrease of 3.9% % and a year-on-year increase of 13.6%; 6,746 enterprises registered to temporarily suspended for a definite time, a month-on-month decrease of 23.9%  and a year-on-year increase of 13.9%; 8,082 enterprises suspended operation waiting for dissolution procedures, a month-on-month increase of 50.0% and a year-on-year increase of 23.7%; and 3,831 enterprises completed procedures for dissolution, a month-on-month increase of 10.3% and a year-on-year increase of 100.7%.

Overall, in the five months of 2026, the whole country had 142.6 thousand newly registered and resumed operation enterprises, and a year-on-year increase of 27.6%, on average, there were 28.5 thousand newly established and resumed operation enterprises per month. The number of enterprises withdrew from the market was 129.3 thousand enterprises, a year-on-year increase of 15.8%, on average, 25.9 thousand enterprises withdrew from the market per month.

4. Investment

– The disbursed investment from the State budget in May was estimated at nearly 65 trillion VND, a 10.2% growth year-on-year. Generally, in the first five months of 2026, the disbursed State budget investment was estimated at 254.1 trillion VND, equivalent to 24.0% of the annual plan and a year-on-year increase of 11.2% (these figures in 2025 were 22.5% and 21.1%, respectively).

– Total inward foreign investment in Viet Nam as of May 31, 2026, including newly registered capital, adjusting registered capital, and the value of capital contribution and purchasing shares by foreign investors reached 24.81 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 34.9%.

– Disbursed FDI in Viet Nam during the first five months of 2026 was estimated at 9.75 billion USD, a year-on-year growth of 9.6%.

– Viet Nam’s outward investment in the first five months of 2026 witnessed 85 projects granted with new investment certificates with a total capital of 760.8 million USD, 2.8 times higher than that in the same period last year; 10 turns of projects adjusted their capital with the additional amount of 33.8 million USD, a decrease of 18.7%. Generally, the total Viet Nam’s outward FDI (newly granted and adjusted capital) reached 794.6 million USD, expanding 2.5 times over the same period last year.

5. State budget revenue and expenditure

Total state budget revenue in May 2026 was estimated at nearly 215.0 trillion VND. The accrued revenue in the first 5 months of 2026 reached 1,339.7 trillion VND, reaching 53.0% of the annual estimate (+15.3% YoY).

Total state budget expenditure in May 2026 was estimated at 184.8 trillion VND. The accrued revenue in the first five months of 2026 was 843.7 trillion VND, reaching 26.7% of the annual estimate (+0.1% YoY).

6. Trade, prices, transport and tourism

a) Retail sales of goods and services

The retail sales of goods and services at current prices in May 2026 were estimated at 647.1 trillion VND, a month-on-month increase of 0.5% and a year-on-year increase of 11.8%. Generally, in the five months of 2026, the retail sales of goods and services at current prices were estimated at 3,185.0 trillion VND, going up 11.2% compared with the same period last year, excluding the price factor, the increase was 6.1%.

b) Export and import of goods^[1]

In May, the total export and import turnover of goods^[2] reached 99.07 billion USD, a month-on-month increase of 3.2% and a year-on-year increase of 25.8%. Generally, in the five months of 2026, the total export and import turnover of goods reached 445.12 billion USD, going up 25.0% over that in the same period last year, of which exports increased by 19.5%; and imports increased by 30.8%. The trade balance of goods recorded a trade deficit of 13.80 billion USD.

– Export of goods

 + In May 2026, export turnover of goods amounted to 46.93 billion USD, increasing by 2.1% over the previous month and increasing by 18.0% over that in the same period last year. Overall, in the five months of 2026, the export turnover reached 215.66 billion USD, increasing by 19.5% over the same period last year. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached 43.5 billion USD, rose by 2.5%, accounting for 20.2% of total export turnover; the FDI sector (including crude oil) attained 172.16 billion USD, went up by 24.7%, accounting for 79.8%.

+ Regarding the structure of exported goods in the five months of 2026, the group of manufactured products reached 193.71 billion USD, accounting for 89.8%.

– Import of goods

 + Import turnover of goods in May 2026 reach 52.14 billion USD, a rise of 4.3% over the previous month and increased by 33.8% year-on-year. Overall, in the five months of 2026, the import turnover of goods reached 229.46 billion USD, a year-on-year surge of 30.8%, of which, the domestic economic sector reached 64.26 billion USD, an upturn of 22.7%; and the FDI sector reached 165.2 billion USD, an expansion of 34.3%.

+ Regarding the structure of imported goods in the five months of 2026, the group of capital goods reached 215.99 billion USD, accounting for 94.1%.

– Regarding export and import markets of goods in the five months of 2026, the United States was Viet Nam’s largest export market with a turnover of 69.6 billion USD. China remained Viet Nam’s largest import market with a turnover of 92.6 billion USD.

– According to preliminary data, the trade balance of goods in May recorded a deficit of 5.21 billion USD. Overall, in the five months of 2026, the trade balance of goods posted a deficit of 13.80 billion USD (a surplus of 5.1 billion USD in the same period last year). Of which, the domestic economic sector recorded a trade deficit of 20.76 billion USD; while the FDI sector (including crude oil) recorded a trade surplus of 6.96 billion USD.

c) Consumer price index, gold and US dollar price index

– The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in May experienced a month-on-month increase of 0.29%. The CPI in May expanded by 3.61% and 5.60% compared to that in December 2025 and the same period last year, respectively.

– The gold price index in May witnessed a month-on-month fall of 4.11%, a year-on-year increase of 33.87%; a soar of 6.27% compared to that on December 2025; the average gold price index in the five months of 2026 experienced a surge of 65.97%.

– The US dollar price index in May saw a month-on-month expansion of 0.02%; a year-on-year upturn of 0.78%; a fall of 0.28% compared to that in December 2025; the average US dollar price index in the five months of 2026 climbed up 1.99%.

d) Passenger and cargo transport

Passenger carried in May 2026 was estimated at 598.6 million turns of passengers, a month-on-month increase of 1.4%, and passenger carried (passenger-kilometers) reached 28.5 billion passenger-kilometer, a month-on-month rise of 1.5%. Overall, in the five months of 2026, the passenger carried was estimated at 2,781.7 million turns of passengers, a year-on-year increase of 19.0% and passenger carried (passenger-kilometers) reached 141.4 billion passenger-kilometer, a rise of 12.7%.

Freight transported in May 2026 was estimated at 275.8 million tons, a month-on-month increase of 1.6% and freight transported (ton-kilometers) reached 58.5 billion ton-kilometer, a month-on-month upturn of 4.1%. Overall, in the five months of 2026, freight transported was estimated at 1,355.9 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 13.9% and freight transported (ton-kilometers) reached 269.6 billion ton-kilometer, a year-on-year increase of 12.5%.

đ) International visitors to Viet Nam

A stable and safe socio-political environment; increasingly open visa policies; more professional promotion and marketing activities; together with a diverse range of products aligned with trends and continuously improving service quality, have created an important foundation for attracting international visitors to Viet Nam. In May 2026, international visitors to Viet Nam reached 1.78 million arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 16.5%. Overall, in the five months of 2026, the international visitors to Viet Nam amounted to 10.6 million arrivals, an increase of 14.9% over that in the same period last year, marking the highest level for five months on record.

7. Social situation

– According to preliminary results of Labour Force Survey, the proportion of households reporting that their income in the month remained unchanged or increased compared to the same period last year was 96.5%; 3.5% of households said that their income decreased or undetermined. Social security activities were always prioritized and implemented by authorities at all levels to support the people’s lives. From the beginning of this year, the Government provided 16.3 thousand tons of rice to the people, of which: nearly 9.1 thousand tons for hunger relief during the Lunar New Year for 604.6 thousand persons; more than 6.6 thousand tons for pre-harvest hunger relief for 442.6 thousand persons; and over 604 tons for natural disaster and flood relief for 40.3 thousand persons.

– Overall, in the five months of 2026, there were over 50.3 thousand cases of dengue fever (05 deaths); 44.9 thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (9 deaths); 3,795 cases of rash fever suspected of measles; 131 cases of viral encephalitis (1 death); 30 cases of meningococcal meningitis (4 deaths); and 32 deaths from rabies in the whole country.

– In May 2026, dynamic cultural and sports activities were held nationwide. Several major cultural events were organized, including the Sen Village Festival 2026, Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2026, the Red Flamboyant Festival – Hai Phong 2026, and activities commemorating the 72nd anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory Day, attracting large numbers of residents and visitors.

Regarding elite sport, Vietnamese national teams recorded several notable achievements, including the qualification of the Viet Nam U17 national football team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, the Viet Nam national Judo team winning the overall title at the Southeast Asian Judo Championships, and the national Taekwondo team earning a berth at ASIAD 20. In addition, a number of national-level sporting events were held during the month.

Regarding mass sport, the physical fitness movement continued to expand strongly through numerous grassroots tournaments, school sports activities, swimming and drowning prevention programmes, and the growing popularity of emerging sports such as Pickleball, thereby contributing to the promotion of the “All people exercise for better health” movement.

– In May (from April 15^th to May 14^th, 2026), there were 1,204 traffic accidents nationwide. Overall, in the five months of 2026, there were 6,482 traffic accidents nationwide, causing 4,046 deaths and 3,762 injuries. On average, in the five months of 2026, there were 43 traffic accidents occurred a day, causing 27 deaths and 25 injuries.

– Damage caused by natural disasters in May was mainly due to the impacts of heavy rain, whirlwinds, and thunderstorms with lightning. Overall, in the five months of 2026, natural disasters made 18 persons dead or missing and 47 others injured; damaged more than 35.1 thousand hectares of rice and other crops; destroyed, swept away, or damaged 6,115 houses. Total property losses caused by natural disasters were estimated at 924.1 billion VND, nearly 2.2 times higher than the same period in 2025.

– In May (from April 26^th to May 23^rd, 2026), authorities detected 1,154 environmental violations in 29 out of 34 localities. Overall, in the five months of 2026, the authorities detected 7,597 cases of environmental violations, of which, 6,528 cases were addressed with a total fine of nearly 128.9 billion VND, recording a year-on-year increase of 29.7%.

– Overall, in the five months of 2026, there were 1,245 cases of fire and explosion nationwide, causing 50 deaths and 61 injuries, with an estimated loss of 347.9 billion VND, experiencing a year-on-year increase of 41.5%./.

[1] The value of export turnover was calculated at F.O.B price and import turnover was calculated at C.I.F price (including transportation and insurance costs of imported goods).

[2] Preliminary data on exports and imports of goods in May 2026 provided by the Viet Nam Customs on 2^nd June, 2026.