Vietnam’s economy not only recorded its strongest first-half GDP growth in nearly 20 years, but also set new records across a range of key economic indicators.
GDP Growth Reaches 7.52% — Best First-Half Performance Since 2011
According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 7.52% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This marks the highest first-half growth rate since 2011. In the second quarter alone, GDP rose 7.96% year-on-year, the second highest growth rate for this period in the 2020-2025 timeline, following 8.56% in the second quarter of 2022.
The agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector grew by 3.89% in the second quarter, contributing 5.19% to the overall increase in added value. Industry and construction rose 8.97%, contributing 43.63%, while the services sector expanded 8.46%, contributing 51.18%. For the first half overall, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries increased by 3.84%, contributing 5.59%. Industry and construction grew 8.33%, contributing 42.20%. Services rose 8.14%, contributing 52.21%. Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang highlighted that this is the strongest first-half economic growth Vietnam has experienced in nearly two decades.
Service Sector Posts Fastest Growth Since 2011
The service sector saw outstanding performance in the first six months of 2025. Strong external trade, transport, and tourism activities fueled an 8.14% year-on-year increase, the highest first-half growth rate since 2011. Wholesale and retail trade expanded 7.03% year-on-year, while transportation and warehousing grew 9.82%. Financial, banking, and insurance activities rose 6.53%, and accommodation and food services increased 10.46%. Public service sectors also achieved notable gains, with administrative and support services rising 14.58%, and activities related to state management, defense, and mandatory social security up 13.09%.
Industrial Production Sees Strongest Growth Since 2020
Vietnam’s industrial production continued its positive trajectory in the second quarter of 2025. The Industrial Production Index (IIP) is estimated to have grown 10.3% year-on-year, driven by a 12.3% increase in manufacturing. For the first half of 2025, the IIP rose 9.2% — the highest rate since 2020. Manufacturing output rose 11.1%, electricity production and distribution increased 4.5%, and water supply, waste management, and wastewater treatment rose 11.3%. The mining sector, in contrast, declined by 3.0%.
Record Number of New Business Registrations
Vietnam recorded 24,400 new business registrations in June 2025, more than double the monthly average from 2021 to 2024. The total registered capital reached nearly VND 176.8 trillion, with 137,200 new jobs created. Compared to May 2025, this represents a 61.4% increase in the number of enterprises, a 12.8% rise in capital, and a 39.8% increase in jobs. Compared to June 2024, the number of new businesses rose 60.5%, registered capital increased 21.2%, and jobs grew 49.9%.
In the first six months of 2025, 91,200 new enterprises were established, with total registered capital of nearly VND 820.9 trillion and 591,100 new jobs. This represents year-on-year increases of 11.8% in the number of businesses, 9.9% in registered capital, and 13.9% in employment. More than 61,500 businesses resumed operations during the period, a 57.2% increase over the same period last year. The combined total of newly established and returning businesses exceeded 152,700, a 26.5% increase. On average, nearly 25,500 businesses were either newly established or resumed operations each month.
FDI Disbursement at Five-Year High
Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursement in Vietnam reached an estimated USD 11.72 billion in the first six months of 2025, the highest first-half figure in five years and an 8.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Of this total, manufacturing attracted USD 9.56 billion, accounting for 81.6% of disbursed FDI. Real estate received USD 932.2 million, or 8.0%, while electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply attracted USD 444.7 million, or 3.8%.
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Source: Vietnam Insider