Vietnam nears 10% growth as economy surges; posts trade surplus

This is the fastest since Q3 2022 and beats the 8.7% median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of eight economists Published Sat, Oct 3, 2026 · 10:17 AM [HANOI] Vietnam’s economic growth goal surged in the third quarter on rising foreign investment and factory output, putting the nation in reach of the government’s ambitious double-digit growth goal for the year. Gross domestic product rose 9.95 per cent in the July to September period from a year earlier, according to data from the National Statistics Office in Hanoi on Saturday Oct 3). That is the fastest since the third quarter of 2022, and beat the 8.7 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of eight economists. One of Asia’s brightest growth stars, Vietnam’s government is targeting at least 10 per cent expansion this year as it seeks to move up the value chain and reach high-income status by 2045. The data gives the clearest indication yet that it is on course and that a massive infrastructure investment campaign is delivering the required results. Trade was especially strong, with exports rising 39.1 per cent in September, much faster than the estimate of 26.6 per cent. SEE ALSO Imports gained 45.8 per cent, compared with expectations of a 38.1 per cent gain. The trade balance returned to a surplus of US$1.27 billion, after deficits for the first eight months of this year. Consumer prices increased 5.1 per cent in September from a year earlier, compared with the 5.1 per cent estimate, with transport and construction costs remaining elevated due to the Iran war. The government aims to cap inflation at 4.5 per cent this year. BLOOMBERG