Vietnam GDP grows 8.18% amid high business exit rates

Vietnam's GDP grew by 8.18% in the first half of 2026, marking one of its highest growth rates in recent years. However, this expansion has not prevented a significant number of businesses from exiting the market, with 151,100 companies withdrawing during this period.

Pham Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute for Economy and the World, suggests that while high GDP and high business exit rates are not statistically contradictory, the situation highlights issues regarding the quality and distribution of growth. While large-scale enterprises with strong supply chain links and financial capacity are benefiting from the recovery, many small and medium-sized enterprises are struggling with high capital costs, rising input expenses, and a lack of customers.