Press release Socio-Economic Performance in the Q2 and in the first half of 2026

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMIC CONTEXT

During the first half of 2026, the global situation remained highly complex and unpredictable. Prolonged armed conflicts in the Middle East escalated risks to global peace and security, negatively impacting global supply chains, energy and commodity prices, logistics costs, and international trade. Concurrently, climate change, natural disasters, energy security, food security, and cybersecurity intensified. On the structural front, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, high-tech advancements, the green transition, and the reconfiguration of global value chains progressed rapidly, presenting both strategic opportunities and new operational demands. Meanwhile, global inflation experienced a resurgence, financial conditions tightened, and global economic growth showed signs of deceleration.

Against this backdrop, major international organizations downgraded their 2026 global economic growth forecasts compared to previous projections. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)^[1], the United Nations (UN)^[2], and Fitch Ratings (FR)^[3] each lowered their growth forecasts by 0.2 percentage points, while the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)^[4] and the World Bank (WB)^[5] trimmed their forecasts by 0.1 percentage points. Specifically, 2026 global growth forecasts are pegged at 3.1% by the IMF, 2.8% by the OECD, 2.5% by both the UN and WB, and 2.4% by FR.

For the Southeast Asia[6], while growth assessments for individual economies varied across organizations, consensus remained that Viet Nam would lead the region in growth performance. Accordingly, Viet Nam’s growth in 2026 was projected to be between 6.5-7.2%[7]; Indonesia between 4.7-5.2%; Malaysia between 4.2-4.7%; the Philippines between 3.2-4.4%; Singapore between 3.0-3.5%; and Thailand between 1.5-1.8%.

Along with closely monitoring developments in the global and domestic economic situation, the Government and the Prime Minister issued decisive directives to ministries, agencies, and localities to implement a comprehensive suite of solutions aimed at driving economic growth, targeting double-digit growth in 2026. Key institutional drivers included the operationalization of the two-tiered local government model, continuous institutional improvements, enhanced decentralization, and administrative reforms. These measures optimized state management, expanded development space, and strengthened regional linkages, fostering effective resource mobilization. Consequently, despite external volatility, the socio-economic performance in Q2 and in the first half of 2026 achieved positive outcomes across most macroeconomic sectors. Specifically:

ECONOMIC GROWTH

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Q2 2026 recorded robust expansion, rising by an estimated 8.39% year-on-year[8] (YoY). Specifically, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector grew by 4.06%, contributing 5.65% to the overall value-added growth of the economy; the industry and construction sector rose by 10.51%, representing 50.07%; and the services sector expanded by 7.87%, constituting 44.28%.

GDP in the first half of 2026 increased by 8.18% YoY, accelerating from the 7.63% growth recorded in the same period of 2025. In terms of overall value-added growth of the economy, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector increased by 3.87% YoY, contributing 5.66%; the industry and construction sector expanded by 9.81% YoY, contributing 47.20%, the services sector increased by 8.09% YoY, contributing 47.14%.

In the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, agricultural activities maintained steady growth, securing domestic consumption while expanding its export markets. Agricultural value-added rose by 3.57% YoY (contributing 3.83% to total economic value-added), forestry value-added increased by 3.98% (contributing 0.27%), and fishery value-added grew by 4.88% (contributing 1.56%).

In the industry and construction sector, industrial activities sustained upward momentum driven by reviving export orders and the strong spillover effects of public investment. Industrial value-added climbed by 9.86% YoY, accounting for 40.35% of overall value-added growth of the economy. The manufacturing remained the primary engine of growth, expanding by 10.23% YoY (contributing 33.07%). Other sub-sectors included the electricity supply (+9.34% YoY, contributing 5.14%); water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities (+7.72% YoY, contributing 0.54%); mining and quarrying (+6.67% YoY, contributing 1.60%); and construction (+9.51% YoY, contributing 6.85%).

In the services sector, trade, transportation, and tourism achieved significant gains fueled by robust consumer demand, vibrant cargo circulation and domestic travel. The service sector’s total value-added increased by 8.09% YoY. Key market-driven service sub-sectors maintained high growth trajectories made significant contributions the gross value-added growth of the economy, including the transportation and storage (+10.18% YoY, contributing 7.73%), the wholesale and retail trade (+9.67%, contributing 13.51%); accommodation and food service activities (+8.05%, contributing 2.73%); and the finance, banking, and insurance activities (+7.97%, contributing 4.71%). In addition, administrative and support activities increased by 8.99%, contributing 1.81%.

Regarding the economic structure in the first half of 2026, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector accounted for 10.61%; the industry and construction sector accounted for 37.66%; the service sector accounted for 43.52%; and the taxes less subsidies on products accounted for 8.21% (The corresponding structure for the same period in 2025 was 11.28%; 36.82%; 43.59%; and 8.31%).

Regarding GDP utilization in the first half of 2026, the final consumption increased by 8.15% compared to the same period in 2025; the gross capital formation rose by 15.20%; the export of goods and services grew by 20.18%; and the import of goods and services increased by 26.44%.

2. Agricultural production in the first half of 2026 maintained stable growth. Spring rice production grew in both yield and production, fulfilling domestic consumption and export demands. Fruit production showed positive signals, and the management of planting area codes and packaging facilities was strengthened, contributing to improved quality and value of agricultural products and expanding export markets. Livestock developed towards farm-based, bio-secure production, production of pig live weight and poultry live weight witnessed a year-on-year jump. Wood production showed an upward trend thanks to strong processing and export demand. Aquaculture and fisheries capture witnessed a stability thanks to increased application of high technology and favorable weather

a) Agriculture

In 2026, the cultivation area of spring rice nationwide reached 2,932.1 thousand hectares, a year-on-year[9] decrease of 37.7 thousand hectares. The Northern localities cultivated 1,037.2 thousand hectares, experiencing a year-on-year down of 13.3 thousand hectares; the Southern provinces cultivated 1,894.9 thousand hectares witnessing a year-on-year crash of 24.4 thousand hectares, of which the Mekong River Delta accounted for 1,251.0 thousand hectares (-14.4 thousand hectares). The yield of the spring rice nationwide was estimated to reach 69.8 quintals/hectare, showing a year-on-year bounce of 1.2 quintals/hectare. The production of the spring rice in 2026 was estimated to reach 20.5 million tons, witnessing a year-on-year growth of 88.1 thousand tons,

As of June 20^th, 2026, localities nationwide cultivated 1,712.2 thousand hectares of summer-autumn rice, equal to 95.7%, year-on-year, of which the Mekong River Delta reached 1,144.1 thousand hectares, equal to 94.4%.

Generally, in the first half of 2026, the production of many fruits continued to show a year-on-year growth as follows: Durian with 603.3 thousand tons, (+12.7%); jackfruit with 512.0 thousand tons, (+10.3%); pineapple with 461.6 thousand tons, (+8.0%); mangoes with 757.8 thousand tons, (+3.8%); dragon fruit with 625.0 thousand tons, (+3.0%); longan with 231.6 thousand tons, (+2.3%). Production of some perennial industrial crops also saw a year-on-year upward trend, including coconut with 1,332.7 thousand tons, (+7.3%); green tea with 566.0 thousand tons, (+4.0%); rubber with 439.6 thousand tons, (+3.9%); cashew nuts with 323.4 thousand tons, (+4.6%); pepper with 267.3 thousand tons, (+5.0%).

Cattle and buffalo farming continued a downward trend[10]. Pig and poultry farming saw a positive growth; diseases were under control. Pig population developed steadily due to the strong shift from household farming to semi-industrial production, linking to businesses, several localities promoted bio secure farming and using high-yield breeds, at the same time, the large-scale enterprise and farm sector continued to maintain production.

 b) Forestry

The area of ​​newly planted forests in the first half of 2026 was estimated to reach 145.7 thousand hectares, witnessing a year-on-year drop of 3.5%; the number of scattered forest trees planted were estimated to reach 51.6 million trees (+2.7%); wood production reached 11,767.7 thousand m³ (+4.5%).

The total area of ​​forest damaged^[11] nationwide in the first half of 2026 was 347.0 hectares, showing a year-on-year drop of 59.1%, of which: the area of ​​forest cut or destroyed was 286.9 hectares, (-49.2%); the area of ​​forest burned was 60.1 hectares, (-78.8%).

c) Fishing

Total fisheries production in the first half of 2026 was estimated to reach 4,954.2 thousand tons, showing a year-on-year growth of 3.6% (Q2 2026 was estimated at 2,739.9 thousand tons, (+3.9%), including fish 3,497.9 thousand tons, (+2.7%); shrimp 774.1 thousand tons, (+7.4%); and other aquatic products 682.2 thousand tons (+4.7%).

Aquaculture production in the first half of 2026 was estimated to reach 2,993.1 thousand tons, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.7%, including: Fish 1,984.0 thousand tons, (+4.4%); shrimp 702.5 thousand tons, (+8.1%); and other aquatic products 306.6 thousand tons, (+9.1%). Specifically, pangasius production reached 935.4 thousand tons, (+5.0%); white leg shrimp production reached 494.3 thousand tons, (+9.5%); tiger shrimp production reached 167.6 thousand tons, (+4.3%); and tilapia production in the first half of 2026 was estimated to increase by 10.4%.

The production of capture fisheries in the first six months of the year was estimated to reach 1,961.1 thousand tons, representing a year-on-year growth of 0.6% (Q2 2026 was estimated at 1,059.5 thousand tons, (+1.0%), including fish 1,513.9 thousand tons, (+0.4%); shrimp 71.6 thousand tons, (+1.3%); other aquatic products 375.6 thousand tons, (+1.3%).

3. In Q2 2026, industrial production maintained a positive growth trend, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) estimated to increase by 11.2% year-on-year. In the first half of 2026, the IIP grew by 10.8% compared with the same period in the previous year, representing the highest growth rate recorded in the 2019–2026 period[12]. Manufacturing was estimated to expand by 11.4%.

Generally, in the first half of 2026, the IIP was estimated to grow by 10.8% over the same period last year (the corresponding figure in 2025 was 8.7%). Specifically, the manufacturing grew by 11.4% (the corresponding figure in 2025 was 10.5%), contributing 8.9 percentage points to the overall growth; contributing 0.9 percentage points; the electricity supply rose by 9.6% (versus 4.1% in 2025), contributing 0.9 percentage points;  the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 8.9% (versus 10.7% in 2025), contributing 0.1 percentage points; the mining and quarrying grew by 5.8% (3.5% decline in the same period of 2025).

Generally, in the first half of 2026 the IIS of the manufacturing recorded a year-on-year increase of 10.8% (the corresponding period in 2025 saw an increase of 9.8%). Index of Industrial Inventory of the manufacturing as of June 30^th, 2026 experienced a month-on-month increase of 5.3% and a year-on-year rise of 13.3%. The average Inventory Turnover Ratio (ITR) for the manufacturing in the Q2 2026 was 82.2% (the corresponding period last year saw an average figure of 85.7%).

4. The number of registered enterprises in the first half of 2026 increased by 22.5% YoY. The number of enterprises entering the market was higher than the number of enterprises withdrew from the market.

a) Enterprise registration

In June, the country had over 16.8 thousand newly established enterprises with a registered capital of over 286.3 trillion VND and registered employees of 82.5 thousand employees, a month-on-month decrease of 1.1% in the number of enterprises and increase of 1.9%, 8.8% in the registered capital, and in the number of employees, respectively. In comparison with the same period last year, in the number of enterprises, the registered capital and the number of employees showed a decrease of 31.0%, an increase of 62.0%, a decrease of 39.8%, respectively.

Overall, in the first half of 2026, the whole country had nearly 111.7 thousand newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of over 1,352.6 trillion VND and total registered employees of nearly 515.3 thousand employees, a year-on-year increase of 22.5%, 64.8% and a decrease of 12.8% in the number of enterprises, in registered capital and in the number of employees, respectively. The average registered capital of a newly established enterprises in the first half of 2026 reached 12.1 billion VND (+34.5% YoY). The total registered capital added to the economy in the first half of 2026 reached nearly 3.1 quadrillion VND (+11.3% YoY). In addition, the country had over 58.1 thousand resumed operation enterprises (a year-on-year decrease of 5.5%), bringing the total number of newly established and resumed operation enterprises in the first half of 2026 to over 169.8 thousand enterprises (+11.2% YoY). On average, there were 28.3 thousand newly established and resumed operation enterprises per month.

In the first half of 2026, the number of enterprises temporarily suspending for a definite time was 85.9 thousand enterprises (+6.3% YoY); nearly 41.2 thousand enterprises suspended operation waiting for dissolution procedures, (+21.0% YoY); and nearly 24 thousand enterprises completed procedures for dissolution, (+94.7% YoY). On average, 25.2 thousand enterprises withdrew from the market each month.

b) Business trends of the enterprise

The results of the business tendency survey of enterprises in the manufacturing in Q2 2026 showed that: 36.3% of enterprises assessed that their business performance was better than in Q1 2026; 43.4% of enterprises said that the business performance was stable, and 20.3% of enterprises faced difficulties^[13]. It is expected that in Q3 2026, 39.4% of enterprises presented that the tendency would get better than that in Q2 2026; 44.0% of enterprises believed the business performance would be stable, and 16.6% of enterprises predicted that it would be more difficult.

5. Trade, transport and tourism activities in the first half of 2026 maintained relatively solid growth compared to the same period last year; favorable visa policies, intensified tourism promotion and marketing programmes, along with the diversification of tourism products and expansion of international visitor markets, continued to attract increasing numbers of international visitors to Viet Nam YoY.

 For Q2 2026, the retail sales of goods and services at current prices increasing by 13.9% YoY; passenger carried rose by 23.2% in volume and by 12.6% in passenger-kilometers; freight carried grew by 12.1% in volume and by 9.9% in ton-kilometers; international visitors to Viet Nam[14] were estimated at 5.49 million arrivals^[15], rising by 18.2% YoY.

Generally, in the first half of 2026, the retail sales of goods and services at current prices reached an estimated 3,889.5 trillion VND, up 12.9% YoY, or up 7.3% in real terms after excluding price factors (compared to 7.4% in 2025).

Passenger carried in the first half of 2026 was estimated at 3,403.1 million turns of passengers, a YoY increase of 18.8% and passenger carried (passenger-kilometers) reached 170.7 billion passenger-kilometer, a rise of 12.2%; in Q2 2026, passengers carried was estimated at 1,810.2 million turns, up 23.2% YoY, and passenger-kilometers reached 86.0 billion passenger-kilometers, up 12.6%.

Freight transported in the first half of 2026 was estimated at 1,619.4 million tons, a YoY increase of 13.2% and freight transported (ton-kilometers) reached 321.2 billion ton-kilometer, a YoY increase of 10.0%; in Q2 2026, freight transported was estimated at 810.6 million turns, up 12,1% YoY and passenger-kilometers reached 166.3 billion passenger-kilometers, up 9.9%.

International visitors to Viet Nam in the first half of 2026 reached 12.3 million arrivals, a YoY growth of 14.9%. Of which, arrivals by airway reached 10.1 million arrivals, accounting for 82.6% of total international visitors to Viet Nam and rising by 11.4% YoY; arrivals by road reached 1.9 million arrivals, accounting for 15.7% and increasing by 37.5%; arrivals by seaway reached 209.0 thousand arrivals, accounting for 1.7% and rising by 15.2%.

The number of outbound Vietnamese citizens^[16] in the first half of 2026 reached 2,685.8 thousand, down 33.9% YoY.

6. Monetary policy was managed proactively and flexibly, in lockstep with fiscal policy, to tame inflation, anchor macroeconomic stability, and fuel growth. Concurrently, the insurance market maintained a steady upward trajectory, while the securities market demonstrated resilient stability. Notably, total capital mobilization surged 45.8% YoY.

As of June 26^th, 2026, the capital mobilization by credit institutions witnessed a YoY increase of 5.02% (the corresponding figure in 2025 was 6.11%), and credit growth of the economy reached 7.41% (the corresponding figure in 2025 was 8.3%).

In the first half of 2026, total premium revenue across the insurance market was estimated to reach 117.9 trillion VND, a YoY rise of 2.2%; specifically: life insurance premium revenue was estimated at 68.8 trillion VND, down 4.5%, while the non-life insurance sector reached an estimated 49.1 trillion VND, up 13.5%.

In the securities market, trading activity remained relatively stable in the first half of 2026. This resilient performance was anchored by robust economic growth and improved business earnings, alongside pivotal policy reforms. Furthermore, the market’s upgrade to a secondary emerging market status injected strong momentum, driving capital in the first half of 2026, total capital mobilization on the stock market (excluding private placement of bonds) was estimated at 173,753 billion VND, representing a YoY surge of 45.8%. In the stock market, as of June 30^th, 2026, the VN-Index reached 1,860.01 points, representing a 4.23% increase compared to the end of 2025. Market capitalization of listed stocks reached 10,572.8 trillion VND (up 6.0% YoY).

7. Total disbursed investment of the economy in the first half of 2026, at current prices, was estimated at 1,807.8 trillion VND, a YoY increase of 12.9%, higher than the growth of 10.5% recorded in the first half of 2025, reflecting a continued expansion in investment activities, thereby contributing to enhance production capacity, improve business operations, and support economic growth during the first half of 2026. The disbursed foreign direct investment (FDI) in Viet Nam during this period was estimated at 13.03 billion USD, a YoY increase of 11.2%, marking the highest first-half level recorded since 2022.

In the first half of 2026, the total disbursed investment capital at current prices was estimated to reach 1,807.8 trillion VND, a YoY increase of 12.9% (the figures of Q2 2026 were estimated at 1,059.5 trillion VND, up 14.1%). Of which: the state sector’s investment was at 508.3 trillion VND, accounting for 28.1% of the total investment and rising by 12.5%; the non-state sector’s investment reached 973.4 trillion VND, accounting for 53.8% and rising by 12.8%; and the FDI sector’s investment achieved 326.1 trillion VND, accounting for 18.1% and rising by 13.5%.

Total inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Viet Nam ^[17] as of June 30^th, 2026, including: Newly registered capital, adjusted registered capital, and the value of capital contributions and purchasing shares by foreign investors reached 34.65 billion USD, a YoY upturn of 61.0%. Specifically: 2,013 projects were newly licensed with a total registered capital of 17.39 billion USD, representing a YoY increase of 1.3% in the number of projects and an upturns of 87.2% in terms of registered capital; 541 projects that were licensed in previous years registered to adjust their investment capital to increase by 11.04 billion USD, a YoY increase of 23.5%; 1,446 turns of registered of capital contributions and purchasing shares by foreign investors with a total capital contribution value of 6.22 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 89.5%. Of which, 413 turns of capital contribution and shares purchased increased the charter capital of enterprises with a capital contribution value of 2.15 billion USD, and 1,033 foreign investors re-bought domestic shares without making the charter capital increase with a value of 4.07 billion USD.

Disbursed FDI in Viet Nam in the first half of 2026 was estimated at 13.03 billion USD, a YoY increase of 11.2%.

8. State budget revenue in the first half of 2026 was estimated to increase by 17.4% YoY. State budget expenditure edged up by an estimated 0.1% YoY, driven by strict curbs on current expenditures. Despite these cost-saving measures, the budget successfully met all requirements for socio-economic development, national defense, security, state management, payment of due debts, and timely payment to beneficiaries according to regulations.

Total state budget revenue in June 2026 was estimated at 205.0 trillion VND. The total state budget revenue accrued in the first half of 2026 was estimated at 1,568.2 trillion VND, reaching 62.0% of the annual estimate and going up by 17.4% YoY. Specifically: Domestic revenue was estimated at 1,352.7 trillion VND, reaching 61.5% of the annual estimate (up 16.5% YoY). Revenue from crude oil was estimated at 31.1 trillion VND, reaching 72.4% of the annual estimate (up 26.1.2% YoY). Budget revenue balancing from import and export was estimated 183.6 trillion VND, reaching 66.0% of the annual estimate (up 22.9% YoY).

Total state budget expenditure in June 2026 was estimated at 292.3 trillion VND. The accrued revenue in the first half of 2026 was 1,149.1 trillion VND, reaching 36.4% of the annual estimate (up 0.1% YoY).

9. Export and import of goods and service ^[18] in the first half of 2026 recorded strong growth YoY, with many key export commodity groups posting solid increases

a) Export and import of goods^[19]

In June 2026, the total export and import turnover of goods 104.22 billion USD, a MoM increase of 5.2% and a YoY increase of 36.3%. Generally, in the first half of 2026, the total export and import turnover of goods reached 549.69 billion USD, rising by 27.1% YoY, of which exports increased by 21.0%; and imports increased by 3.4%^[20]. The higher import growth rate relative to exports indicates that input demand in the economy continued to expand, while also reflecting the strong recovery of production activities, particularly in the foreign-invested sector. The trade balance of goods recorded a deficit of 16.65 billion USD.

In June 2026, the export turnover of goods amounted to 50.79 billion USD, increasing by 8.2% MoM. In Q2 2026, the export turnover reached 143.6 billion USD, going up 22.7% YoY and up 16.8% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). Overall in the first half of 2026, export turnover of goods reached 266.52 billion USD, up 21.0% YoY.

Import turnover of goods in June 2026 reach 53.43 billion USD, a rise of 2.5% MoM. In Q2 2026, the import turnover of goods reached 156.6 billion USD, a YoY surge of 39.1% and going up 23.7% QoQ. Overall, in the first half of 2026, the import turnover of goods reached US$283.17 billion, an increase of 33.4% YoY.

According to preliminary data, the trade balance of goods in June recorded a deficit of 2.64 billion USD. Overall, in the first half of 2026, the trade balance of goods posted a deficit of 16.65 billion USD^[21] (a surplus of 7.95 billion USD in the same period last year).

b) Export and import of services

In the first half of 2026 cumulatively, export turnover of services was estimated at 17.42 billion USD, rising by 20.5% YoY (In the Q2 2026, the export turnover of services was estimated at 8.24 billion USD, a YoY increase of 20.5% and decreased by 10.3% QoQ), of which tourism services reached 9.0 billion USD, growing by 18.1%; transport services reached 5.1 billion USD, surging by 34.0%.

Import turnover of services in the first half of 2026 was estimated at 22.96 billion USD, rising by 19.4% YoY (in the Q2 2026, the import turnover of services was estimated at 11.81 billion USD, up 17.4% YoY), of which transport services reached 10.25 billion USD, growing by 32.2%; tourism services reached 8.05 billion USD, increasing by 12.7%.

The trade deficit of services in H1 2026 was 5.4 billion USD.

10. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in June 2026 witnessed a month-on-month decrease of 0.39%, mainly due to a decline in petroleum prices following global fuel price fluctuation. The CPI in June possessed an increase of 3.21% compared to that in December 2025 and a year-on-year rise of 4.69%.

a) Consumer price index

The CPI in June experienced a MoM contraction of 0.39%, of which: 4 groups of goods and services witnessed a decrease, whereas 7 groups of goods and services saw an increase in CPI. The average CPI in Q2 2026 saw expansion of 5.25% compared to that the Q1 2025. The average CPI in the six months of 2026 experienced a YoY soar of 4.38%

Core inflation[22] in June possessed a MoM increase of 0.14% and a YoY rise of 4.50%. On average, the core inflation in the six months of 2026 recorded a YoY soar of 4.12%, lower than a surge of 4.38% in the overall CPI[23].

b) US dollar price index

The gold price index in June saw a MoM reduction of 8.46%; a YoY spike of 24.11%; a drop of 2.72% compared to that in December 2025. The average gold price index in the Q2 2026 recorded a YoY surge of 36.84%; and the average gold price index in the six months of 2026 experienced a YoY spike of 58.12%.

The US dollar price index in June witnessed a MoM soar of 0.11%; a YoY expansion of 0.57%; a fall of 0.17% compared to the figure in December 2025; the average US dollar prices in Q2 2026 possessed a YoY upturn of 0.93%; and the average US dollar prices in the six months of 2026 recorded a jump of 1.75%.

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. In the first half of 2026, the labour market developed stably. The size of the labour force, the number of employed persons, and the average income of employees all increased over the same period last year, reflecting that labour demand and production and business activities continued to be improved. The unemployment rate was maintained at 2.22%; the underemployment rate at working age was 1.65%, lower than that in the same period last year, showing that the labour market continued to witness positive improvements.

The labour force aged 15 and over in the country in Q2 2026 was estimated at 53.8 million persons, a QoQ increase of 175.6 thousand persons and a YoY growth of 693.5 thousand persons. The proportion of employees with diplomas/certificates in Q2 2026 was 29.8%, 0.2 percentage points higher than the previous quarter and 0.7 percentage points higher than the same period last year. Generally, in the first half of 2026, the labour force aged 15 and over was 53.7 million persons, a YoY increase of 690.7 thousand persons; the proportion of employees with diplomas/certificates reached 29.7%, 0.8 percentage points higher than the same period last year.

The number of employed persons in Q2 2026 was estimated at 52.7 million persons, increasing by 170.2 thousand persons compared to the previous quarter and rising by 688.3 thousand persons over the same period last year. Generally, in the first half of 2026, the number of employed persons reached 52.6 million persons, a YoY increase of 672.5 thousand persons.

The underemployment rate at working age[24] in Q2 2026 was 1.62%, 0.05 percentage points lower than the previous quarter and 0.11 percentage points lower than the same period last year. Generally, for the first half of 2026, the underemployment rate at working age stood at 1.65%, 0.07 percentage points lower than the same period last year.

The monthly average income per employee in Q2 2026 reached nearly 9.0 million VND/month, a decrease of 53 thousand VND compared to Q1 2026[25] and a YoY growth of 720 thousand VND. Generally, in the first half of 2026, it reached nearly 9.0 million VND/month, a YoY increase of 717 thousand VND.

The unemployment rate at working age in Q2 2026 was 2.23%. Generally, in the first half of 2026, the unemployment rate at working age was 2.22%, equivalent to the same period last year, of which the rate in the urban areas was 2.47% and in the rural areas was 2.05%.

2. People’s living conditions and social security

The living conditions of households in the first half of 2026 were improved compared to the same period last year. The proportion of households reporting an increase in income in Q2 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 was 29.8%; the percentage of households with unchanged income was 66.7%; and the proportion of households with decreased or undetermined income was 3.5%. Compared to Q1 2026, the percentage of households with increased income decreased by 2.0 percentage points; unchanged income grew by 2.7 percentage points; and decreased or undetermined income reduced by 0.7 percentage points. Compared to Q2 2025, the proportion of households with rising income declined by 3.0 percentage points; unchanged income rose by 2.9 percentage points; and decreased or undetermined income increased by 0.1 percentage points.

As of June 22^nd, 2026[26], central and local leaders, authorities, sectors, organizations, and donors visited, encouraged, and presented gifts to target groups with the total social security support for all groups reaching more than 46.7 trillion VND, an increase of over 9.4 trillion VND (a growth of 25.2%) compared to the same period last year. Details for specific target groups were as follows: support for national devotees and their relatives reached more than 22.1 trillion VND, a YoY rise of 14.9%; support for social protection beneficiaries under Decree No. 20/2021/ND-CP was over 21.9 trillion VND, a growth of 45.8%; support for poor households, near-poor households, households in difficult circumstances, and social policy households reached more than 2.5 trillion VND, a decrease of 8.3%; other sudden and unusual support in localities amounted to nearly 199.3 billion VND, a decline of 38.9%. There were nearly 35.7 million health insurance cards, free medical examination and treatment cards/books issued to beneficiaries, a YoY increase of 34.5%.

In the first half of this year (as of June 25^th, 2026), the Government provided about 17.9 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 8.2 thousand tons for pre-harvest hunger relief for 547.2 thousand persons; and over 604 tons for natural disaster and flood recovery for 40.3 thousand persons.

Regarding gratitude to national devotees, the “500-day-and-night campaign to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of martyrs’ remains” towards the 80^th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27^th, 1947 – July 27^th, 2027) was being drastically deployed by authorities at all levels, sectors, units, and localities. According to a report by the Ministry of National Defence at the review conference for the first half and task deployment for the remaining half of 2026 hosted by the National Steering Committee for the search, collection, and identification of martyrs’ remains, 1,255 martyrs’ remains were successfully searched for and collected during the first half of the year; concurrently, biological sampling for unidentified remains was carried out across 12,127 martyrs’ graves[27]. In addition, the Party and the State continue to deploy social security policies to support national devotees and their relatives on the occasion of the 79^th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (27^th July 1947 – 27^th July 2026)[28].

3. Education and training[29]

As of June 30^th, 2026, there were 14,820 preschools, 25,067 general education schools, including: 11,678 primary schools, 8,124 lower secondary schools, 2,245 upper secondary schools, and 3,020 multi-level general education schools nationwide.

In the school year 2025-2026, the number of preschools teachers was 372 thousand teachers. The number of classroom teachers of general education was 829.8 thousand teachers, including: 392.2 thousand primary school teachers, 295.5 thousand lower secondary school teachers, and 142.1 thousand upper secondary school teachers.

Also in the school year 2025-2026, there were 4.85 million children of preschools nationwide; 18.5 million pupils of general education, including: 8.64 million primary school pupils, 6.93 million lower secondary school pupils, and 2.90 million upper secondary school pupils.

The 2026 Upper Secondary School Graduation Exam was successfully conducted as scheduled, ensuring safety and integrity while largely achieving its intended objectives. A total of 1,213,695 candidates sat the exam, representing an attendance rate of 99.18%. The exam was administered at 2,478 examination sites with 54,409 examination rooms nationwide.

4. Epidemic and food poisoning[30]

Overall, from the beginning of the year to date, there were over 55.2 thousand cases of dengue fever (7 deaths); 54.8 thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (10 deaths); 4,393 cases of rash fever suspected of measles; 154 cases of viral encephalitis (1 death); 31 cases of meningococcal meningitis (4 deaths); and 34 deaths from rabies in the whole country.

As of June 17^th, 2026, the total number of people living with HIV nationwide was 256.8 thousand persons; the number of deaths from HIV/AIDS was 118.9 thousand persons.

Regarding food poisoning, in June, there were 11 cases of poisoning, causing 462 persons poisoned (2 deaths). Overall, in H1 2026 (from December 18^th, 2025 to June 17^th, 2026), there were 47 cases with 1,866 persons poisoned (7 deaths) nationwide.

5. The preservation and promotion of cultural values continued to receive due attention; mass sports activities were maintained, while elite sports recorded several notable achievements

In Q2 2026, a wide range of cultural activities were held nationwide in connection with major national holidays and the preservation and promotion of the values of the nation’s cultural heritage. A highlight of the quarter was a series of activities marking the Viet Nam Ethnic Groups’ Culture Day (April 19^th) at the Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, along with commemorative activities for the Liberation of the South Day (April 30^th) and International Workers’ Day (May 1^st). In addition, a number of other cultural activities were also organized nationwide[31].

Regarding elite sports, a number of sporting events took place in Q2 2026, including: the U17 Viet Nam national football team’s championship title at the 2026 ASEAN U17 Championship, held in Indonesia from April 11^th to April 23^rd; the National Strong Teams Kickboxing Championship, held in Ha Noi from April 2^nd to April 11^th; the National Elite Shuttlecock Championship, held in Hue from April 18^th to April 23^rd; and the Ho Chi Minh City Television Cycling Cup, held from April 3^rd to April 30^th. The U17 Viet Nam national football team also qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. Meanwhile, the Viet Nam national judo team finished first overall at the Southeast Asian Judo Championship, held in Bac Ninh from May 19^th to May 24^th, and two athletes from the Viet Nam national taekwondo team secured qualification for ASIAD 2026. In addition, several national championships were organized, including the National Club Weightlifting Championship, held in Ninh Binh from May 16^th to May 24^th; the National Age Group Swimming and Diving Championships, held in Dong Thap from May 20th to May 30^th; and the National 2×2 Beach Volleyball Championship, held in Da Nang from May 1^st to May 9^th.

6. In June and the first half of 2026, the numbers of traffic accidents^[32], deaths, and injuries all decreased compared to the same period last year

In June (from May 15^th to June 14^th, 2026), there were 1,273 traffic accidents nationwide, causing 786 deaths and 747 injuries. Compared to the figures of the same period in 2025, the number of accidents, deaths, and injuries decreased by 15.1%, 12.6%, and 20.4%, respectively.

In the first half of 2026, there were 7,755 traffic accidents nationwide, causing 4,832 deaths and 4,509 injuries. Compared to the figures of the same period last year, the number of traffic accidents cases, deaths, and injuries decreased by 17.6%, 9.3%, and 27.6 %, respectively. On average, in the first half of 2026, there were 43 traffic accidents occurred a day, causing 27 deaths and 25 injuries.

7. Natural disasters, environmental pollution, fires and explosions had a significant impact on people’s lives in several localities

Disaster-induced loss[33]: In the first half of 2026, natural disasters caused 28 deaths and missing persons, 65 injuries; damaged 31.9 thousands of hectares of rice and other crops; destroyed, swept away, or damaged more than 6,900 houses. The total property losses caused by natural disasters in the first half of 2026 were estimated at 1,123.1 billion VND, a YoY decrease of 43.1%. Natural disasters in June caused 9 deaths and missing persons, 18 injuries; damaged nearly 777 hectares of rice and crops; destroyed, swept away, or damaged 728 houses; total property losses caused by natural disasters in the month was 184.3 billion VND, a YoY decrease of 88.1%.

Environmental protection[34]: in the first half of 2026, authorities detected 9,640 cases of environmental violations, of which, 7,824 cases were addressed with total fines of 144.5 billion VND, representing a YoY increase of 25.0%.

Fire and explosion[35]: During the month (from May 15^th to June 14^th, 2026), 272 cases of fire and explosion occurred nationwide, causing 4 deaths and 8 injuries, with an estimated losses of 186.6 billion VND, nearly 2.8 times higher than the previous month and nearly 8.2 times higher than the same period last year. Overall, in the first half of 2026, there were 1,517 cases of fire and explosion nationwide, causing 54 deaths and 69 injuries, with estimated damages of 534.5 billion VND, representing a YoY increase of 98.9%.

[1] IMF (April 2026), “World Economic Outlook: Global economy in the shadow of war”, https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo/issues/2026/04/14/world-economic-outlook-april-2026, accessed 25 June 2026.

[2] UN (May 2026), “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, Mid-year update”, https://desapublications.un.org/publications/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-mid-2026, accessed 25 June 2026.

[3] FR (June 2026), “Global Economic Outlook – June 2026: Growth despite geopolitical uncertainties”, https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/global-economic-outlook-june-2026-04-06-2026,
accessed 25 June 2026.

[4] OECD (June 2026), “OECD Economic Outlook: Under Pressure”, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-economic-outlook-volume-2026-issue-1_2d1956f0-en.html, accessed 25 June 2026.

[5] WB (June 2026), “Global Economic Prospects: Navigating a Cloudy Outlook”, https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstreams/8e6bcf71-89a1-443b-bbe9-6c39a496d7ab/download, accessed 25 June 2026.

[6] AMRO (June 2026), “Interim Update of the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook”, https://amro-  asia.org/asean3-regional-economic-outlook-areo/, accessed 25 June 2026.

[7] ADB and AMRO both forecasted Vietnam’s economic growth in 2026 at 7.2%; projection of IMF, WB, and OECD on Viet Nam’s economic growth reached 7.1%, 6.8%, 6.5%, respectively.

[8] Gross domestic product at constant prices was calculated using the base year 2020.

[9] Due to localities converted inefficient rice land to other crops and livestock for higher economic value, or converting to non-agricultural land (for the construction of public works, industrial zones, commercial and service land, etc.).

[10]  Due to low economic efficiency, the area for natural grazing was shrinking, the supply of green fodder was narrowed, while the price of animal feed remains high.

[11] Figures released by Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as of June 15, 2026.

[12] The IIP for the first six months of the years 2019-2026 compared to the same period of the previous year were: +9.4%; +2.8%; +9.0%; +8.4%; -1.4%; +8.0%; +8.7%; and +10.8%, respectively.

[13]Corresponding index for Q1/2026: 69.9 % of enterprises assessed better and remain stable (23.8% better and 46.1% remained stable); 30.1 % of enterprises assessed it as more difficult.

[14] According to a report from the Department of Border Gate, the Border Guard Command, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Public Security.

[15] The reporting period was from May 26^th, 2026 to June 25^th, 2026.

[16] A Vietnamese citizen leaves the territory of Viet Nam through a border gate of Viet Nam.

[17] As the report of Foreign Investment Department, Ministry of Finance, received on 2rd July 2026.

[18] The value of export turnover was calculated at FOB price and import turnover was calculated at CIF price (including transportation and insurance costs of imported goods).

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

[20] The total export and import turnover of goods in six months of 2025 amounted to 432.41 billion USD, going up 16.2% year-on-year, of which exports reached 220.18 billion USD, increasing by 14.6%; imports reached 212.23 billion USD, increasing by 17,9%.

[21] Commodity groups with high import deficits: Electronic goods, computers and their parts 38.9 billion USD; petroleum products 5.2 billion USD; plastic materials 5.0 billion USD; coal of all kinds 4.5 billion USD; other base metals 4.4 billion USD; crude oil 3.9 billion USD; chemicals 3.2 billion USD; chemical products 2.9 billion USD.

[22] The CPI after excluding the prices of fresh food, foodstuff, energy, and State-managed goods, which include healthcare and education services.

[23] The main reason was the significant fluctuations in prices of petroleum, gas, and food that caused an increase in the overall CPI, were excluded from the calculation of core inflation.

[24] Underemployed persons at working age include employed persons who want to work overtime; are willing to work overtime; and actually work less than 35 hours/week.

[25] This is because in Q1, workers received additional income from Tet (New Year) bonuses.

[26] According to local reports.

[27] https://baochinhphu.vn/quyet-tam-tim-kiem-quy-tap-3000-hai-cot-liet-si-trong-nam-2026-102260625130946331.htm (accessed at 17:30, on 27^th June 2026)

[28] On 11^th June 2026, the State President issued Decision No. 885/QĐ-CTN on presenting gifts on the occasion of the 79^th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (27^th July 1947 – 27^th July 2026), with two gift levels of 600,000 VND and 300,000 VND designated for eligible recipients. The Ministry of Home Affairs submitted a draft proposal to adjust and increase the standard allowance to 3,012,000 VND (an 8% increase from the previous level of 2,789,000 VND), effective from 1^st July 2026. Accordingly, monthly allowances and subsidies for national devotees and their relatives will be increased to ensure their well-being.

[29] According to estimates from the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).

[30] According to the report of the Ministry of Health.

[31] These included the series of traditional craft experience activities in Ha Noi Old Quarter; exhibitions such as “The Story of Vietnamese Lacquer”, “The Flow of Vietnamese Lacquer: From Heritage to Contemporary Art”, and “Born from Dó”; the “Weaving New Colours from Old Traditions” event held at the Ha Noi Museum; large-scale programmes such as Symphony of the Nation and Echoes of the Fatherland; activities marking the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week; the Sen Village Festival in Nghe An, the Sen (Lotus) Festival in Dong Thap, the Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Flower Festival, and the Ninh Binh Tourism Week.

[32] According to a quick report from the Office of the Ministry of Public Security and the Viet Nam Maritime and Waterways Administration (Ministry of Construction) on June 23^rd, 2026.

[33] Compiled from reports submitted by 34 Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Environment, reporting period from May 22^nd to June 23^rd, 2026.

[34] According to data compiled by Provincial and centrally-governed cities Statistics Offices from the reports of Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Provincial Police Departments.

[35] According to a quick report from the Ministry of Public Security dated June 23^rd, 2026.