Vietnam's economy grows 9.95% in third quarter, fastest pace in four years

Vietnam’s economy grew 9.95% in the third quarter of 2026, the fastest pace in four years, official data released on Saturday showed, as strong industrial output and construction kept Asia’s manufacturing hub among the world’s fastest-growing economies.

The figure, reported by the National Statistics Office, beat analyst expectations and accelerated from revised second-quarter growth of 8.81% and first-quarter growth of 8.15%, according to Nikkei Asia. Growth for the first nine months of the year reached 9.01%.

September exports surged 39.1% year on year, Reuters reported, while annual inflation in September ran at 5.08% — above forecasts. The data puts pressure on the fourth quarter: Vietnam would need growth above 10% in the final three months to meet the government’s full-year target of 10%.

“Việt Nam continues to demonstrate strong economic resilience, underpinned by robust domestic demand, expanding industrial production and dynamic trade activity,” said Tim Leelahaphan, senior economist for Vietnam and Thailand at Standard Chartered, which had forecast third-quarter growth of 8.7%.

The economy’s export engine continues to run hot even as imports grow faster, leaving a US$19.4 billion trade deficit for January to September, Nikkei reported, driven by machinery and production inputs feeding the country’s factory boom.