Vietnam Q1 2026 economic outlook

Richard Burrage
May 11, 2026

Vietnam Q1 2026 economic outlook: strong growth, rising pressure, falling confidence

Vietnam Q1 2026 economic outlook. Vietnam entered 2026 with strong headline growth, but underlying pressures are building rapidly. GDP expanded by 7.8% in Q1, supported by solid industrial production (+9.0%), retail growth (+10.1%), and strong export performance (+20% YoY). Tourism also continued to recover, with international arrivals up 12%. The manufacturing PMI remained in expansion at 51.2.

Tet 2026 saw improved retail expenditure

Tet 2026 highlights an important shift in Vietnam’s consumer economy. Using a comparable December to February period, retail and services sales reached approximately VND 1.86 trillion, with retail goods growth recovering to 8% year on year. More notably, services and experience-led spending continued to accelerate, reinforcing a structural reallocation of consumer expenditure away from goods and toward travel, leisure, and convenience.

Tet 2026 Vietnam retail sales trend

This pattern is consistent with broader consumer trends. Vietnamese consumers are not reducing spend overall, but are becoming more selective, value-driven, and experience-oriented. Growth is increasingly driven by services rather than traditional retail, reflecting a maturing market where consumption is shifting from ownership to usage.

Vietnam Q1 2026 momentum

On the surface, momentum remains intact. However, several indicators point to rising strain. Imports are growing faster than exports (+27% vs +20%), signalling increasing input demand and cost pressure. Inflation is beginning to edge higher, while logistics and operating costs continue to rise.

Q1 2026 Vietnam Economic Outlook

Vietnam Q1 2026 economic outlook: Business confidence falters

More critically, business sentiment has deteriorated sharply. CEO confidence has fallen to its lowest level since 2022, signalling growing concern about the outlook despite a solid Q1 performance.

Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are now directly impacting Vietnamese businesses.

Vietnam PMI March 2026

The latest S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing PMI highlights a sharp acceleration in input cost inflation, driven by rising energy prices and supply chain disruption. Firms are already passing these costs through, with selling prices increasing at the fastest rate in 15 years.

Fuel prices will weaken consumer demand

This reflects a rapid transmission from global conflict to domestic inflation.  Despite government efforts to reduce fuel prices, since February 2026, RON 95 petrol is up 22% and diesel by 43%, according to the Shiv. Higher fuel costs are feeding into logistics, raising prices across the economy and putting pressure on margins. As inflation builds, consumer purchasing power is likely to weaken, increasing the risk of slower demand in the months ahead.

Vietnam Q1 2026 economic outlook: GDP growth forecast 7.2% for 2026

Cimigo’s Vietnam GDP growth forecast for 2026 has therefore been revised down from 8.6% to 7.2%. The key risk is that sustained cost pressure and weakening sentiment erode momentum through the remainder of the year.

The key question: how long can strong current performance hold if sentiment continues to weaken?

If you have any questions or specific needs, please get in touch with us at ask@cimigo.com.

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