Research Center

Economic activities accelerated further in October, primarily thanks to the impressive improvement in export activities. In more detail, it seems the negative impact of external factors on Vietnam's economy has become less severe when the end of the global trajectory of rate hikes was counting down. Export turnover continued growing at a higher pace, and registered FDI surged. However, domestic consumption decelerated significantly due to prolonged cautious spending, subdued foreign tourism, and a lingering reduction in manufacturing employment. For future developments, we expect the export activities to recover and overwhelmingly drive economic activities to accelerate in the next month.

Economic activities accelerated further in 3Q23 mainly thanks to the impressive improvement in export activities and the solid investment from foreign and government sectors. On the upside, it seems the negative impact of external factors on Vietnam's economy has become less severe when the end of the global trajectory of rate hikes was counting down. Export turnover recorded a much softer decline, and FDI disbursement preserved its acceleration. However, domestic consumption continued decelerating due to a slowing recovery in foreign tourism, the lingering hardship of employees in the manufacturing sector, and the limited impact of fiscal measures. For future developments, we expect the export activities to recover and overwhelmingly drive the economy to accelerate in the next quarter.

August’s data shows an opposite tendency between internal and external factors. On one hand, the impact of recent fiscal measures, such as the VAT reduction and the increase in the base salary, on consumer confidence seems to be effective. Domestic consumption has renewed its acceleration this month alongside hotter inflation steaming from food and traffic indices. On the other hand, export turnover declined at a more significant pace in August. It is worth noting that the export value of August last year was a historic high, mainly originating from the explosive U.S. and EU consumption after a long period of pandemic. The situation has changed significantly from the peak when retailers and wholesalers fell into overstocking, resulting in fewer new orders to manufacturing hubs, including Vietnam. Hence, we believe that it will take more time for Vietnam’s economy to rely its growth engine on external factors.

July’s data revealed a substantial improvement in economic activities with a softer decline in export turnover, an improving industrial production, and a renewed acceleration in retail sales. On one hand, U.S. consumers tend to regain their confidence during the late phase of the global interest rate hike, fastening the resolution of the overstocking and consequently promoting Vietnam’s export activities. On the other hand, retail sales recorded a higher growth rate than in June coupled with moderate inflation after a series of easing fiscal policies, likely reflecting an expanding demand. We predict economic performance to improve further next month due to softening external headwinds and expanding domestic demand.

GSO’s June report shows a slight acceleration in economic performance for the second quarter of 2023. Although the economic growth surpassed the downgraded market assessment, it is far from the expected value in the eco-socio tasks. For the latest update in June, export activities deteriorated under the persistent slowdown in the consumption of Vietnam’s major trading partners, showing challenges for the economy to speed up. Regarding domestic factors, the recovery momentum in post-pandemic exhausted with retail sales much lower than the potential level. In the short term, we predict public investment will mainly support economic growth before material improvement in external factors occurs.

Indicators in May seem to characterize a turnaround in Vietnam’s economy when export and production activities experienced significant improvements. In addition, domestic consumption sustains its strong growth with well-controlled inflation, adding confidence about the bright economic picture soon. May also reveals a better situation in foreign investment when the global rate hike seems to step into the end phase.

April shows the adverse impact of weak global demand, under the high-interest rate environment, on Vietnam's economy was still effective. Export decline persists this month, even with a higher rate than in March under the weak 1Q23 revenue from GVC leaders whose factories were heavily located in Vietnam, such as Samsung Electronics. Furthermore, industrial production grows modestly from reducing significantly in the previous month due to the robust domestic demand. On the upside, inflation continued to be well-controlled and retail sales performed impressively, providing support for economic growth in 2Q23.

1Q23 shows the negative impact of the weak global demand on Vietnam’s economic activities, with a slowdown and even a reduction in export-related sectors. The export and export-oriented production saw significant declines in the first quarter of 2023, and the fruitful consumption in the first normalized Tet could not reverse the slowdown. On the upside, we saw improved industrial production, less severe trade performance, a tourism return, and well-controlled inflation in March, providing hope that economic activities would accelerate in the next quarter.

Vietnam’s economic picture remains gloomy after the Tet, although witnessing improvement in several sectors. The modest growths in domestic production and trade activities are primarily due to more working days than in the same period last year. After adjusting for the working day number, the impact of the weak global demand on the economy reveals predominant. On the upside, domestic consumption remains strong under the first normalized spring season. However, the impact of the wealth effect and income prospects could be negative under the current high-interest rate environment, raising our concerns about the motivation for economic growth for the first quarter.