Vietnam's market advantage: Investment opportunities in a new context
- 7
- Business
- 11:14 06/02/2025
DNHN - Balancing interests, striving for a 7.5% GDP growth, enhancing international cooperation, promoting technological innovation, and developing appropriate foreign policies are the "keys" for the nation and businesses to overcome challenges.
2024: Vietnam maintains economic stability
By the end of 2024, Vietnam's GDP growth reached 7.06%, exceeding the National Assembly's target of 6-6.5%. The economy's scale hit $460 billion, a nearly 7% increase from $430 billion in 2023, according to IMF estimates. Vietnam's GDP per capita in 2024 reached $4,650, an increase of $300 compared to 2023.
Lending rates decreased by 0.76% from 2023, with approximately VND 2,000 trillion injected into the economy, reflecting a 15% credit growth, bringing the total outstanding loans of the economy to about VND 15.5 trillion by the end of 2024. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.63% year-over-year, meeting the National Assembly's target of below 4.5%.
Supported by macroeconomic factors, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $25 billion, marking the ninth consecutive year of significant export surplus, bringing the total import-export turnover in 2024 to a record $783 billion, a 15% increase from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Exports were estimated at $403 billion, nearly 14% higher than in 2023, with notable contributions from agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports ($62 billion) and textiles ($43.5 billion).
Foreign investment continued to pour into Vietnam, with total newly registered, adjusted capital, equity contributions, and share purchases reaching $38.2 billion, representing 8.3% of GDP. Fifteen American companies invested over $8 billion in Vietnam.
The stock market continued to attract investor capital, adding 1.8 million accounts, reaching 9.15 million accounts, equivalent to 9% of the population. Market capitalization rose to 69.3% of GDP, equivalent to VND 7,085 trillion, a 19.3% increase from the end of 2023. Market liquidity averaged VND 21,225 billion per session, up 20.7% year-over-year.
2025: Continued opportunities for export growth
Global economic prospects for 2025 are expected to maintain growth despite facing numerous risks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts global economic growth at 3.2%, the same as in 2024. Both the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations (UN) project global economic growth to be 0.1 percentage points higher than in 2024, at 2.7% and 2.8%, respectively.
For Southeast Asia, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts a 4.7% growth rate for 2025, consistent with 2024.

Nevertheless, 2025 poses significant risks and uncertainties. The U.S. Federal Reserve maintains its current policy rate between 4.25%-4.5%, with no signs of easing monetary policy, and is expected to reduce rates by only 0.25 percentage points in 2025. Notably, major macroeconomic policy changes, including taxes, trade barriers, and currency policies from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, will impact the global and Vietnamese economies.
Although the Middle East crisis is being contained, U.S. tariffs and energy policies will influence oil prices. New regulations on sustainable development, such as the Carbon Adjustment Mechanism and the European Union's Anti-Deforestation Regulation, are creating trade barriers.
Global trade risks are significant. According to Hồ Nhật Quang, Investment Director of Thiên Việt Asset Management (TVAM), political instability, wars, or internal conflicts in the region could disrupt energy supply chains, drive oil prices higher, and elevate global production costs. Current indicators suggest a worrying likelihood of a Middle East crisis in 2025.
In recent years, escalating trade tensions between major powers like the U.S. and China have spurred a wave of trade protectionism. Post-COVID-19 sentiments have further amplified the preference for domestic supply chains, leading to tariff pressures and import restrictions, raising production and trade costs, diminishing the efficacy of free trade and international cooperation.
With the advantage of 18 signed FTAs, significant opportunities lie in expanding export markets to potential regions when the Vietnam-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) comes into effect in 2025. The Ministry of Industry and Trade aims for a 12% export growth compared to 2024.
Recognizing the opportunities in 2025, the Vietnamese government plans a GDP growth rate of 7%-7.5%; GDP per capita of approximately $4,900; an average CPI growth rate of about 4.5%; a breakthrough in disbursing at least 95% of public investment capital; and achieving the target of 3,000 kilometers of expressways by the end of 2025.
Vietnamese consumer spending in 2025 is expected to recover modestly due to income impacts from global and domestic economic risks.
Nonetheless, this is also a time for countries and businesses to act. Strengthening international cooperation, promoting technological innovation, and developing appropriate foreign policies will be the "keys" to overcoming challenges, laying a solid foundation for sustainable and stable development in an increasingly volatile global trade environment.
Ai Minh
Related news
#Vietnam’s growth

GDP growth target for 2025: Aiming for a breakthrough pace
According to the proposal, Vietnam's national GDP growth target for 2025 must reach at least 8%, laying a solid foundation for achieving double-digit growth rates.

Vietnam stands poised to seize opportunities in the semiconductor industry
In the context of a rapidly evolving global economy driven by digitalization, the semiconductor industry has emerged as a key strategic pillar.

"Rethinking the forest" to protect and enhance the multifunctional values of forests
In the face of climate change and natural disasters such as Typhoon Yagi, we must rethink our approach to forests, particularly in terms of protection, to fully harness their value...

Vietnam aims for GDP of $780-800 billion by 2030
The long-term goal set by the Prime Minister is that by 2030, Vietnam will become a modern industrialized nation, with its GDP reaching approximately $780-800 billion.

Vietnam will become a maritime power in 2045 for this reason
For Vietnam to become a strong maritime nation, wealthy from the sea as the Party and State have set out, many bold and synchronous solutions are being proposed.

The Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue and the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum will take place in September 2024
The 2nd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue – FD) in 2024, themed "Industrial transformation: Experiences and priorities in development cooperation", will take place from September 23-24, 2024.
Đọc thêm Business
Foreign investors expected to open 150,000 new securities accounts in the next 5 years
The Ministry of Finance has set an ambitious target to increase the number of securities trading accounts held by foreign investors in Vietnam to 200,000 by 2030—four times higher than the current figure.
Vietnam launches “Private Economy Panorama Model” to foster public-private national development
Billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao emphasizes that entrepreneurs’ responsibilities extend beyond profits to creating social value.
Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long meets with Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi to promote Vietnam–Japan cooperation.
As part of his working visit to Japan and participation in the Vietnam National Day at EXPO 2025 Osaka, on September 8, Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long held talks with Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi.
Larry Ellison’s lesson: Enduring success starts with fixing the market’s pain points
As of today, Larry Ellison has risen to become the world’s second-richest billionaire with a fortune of nearly $260 billion, surpassing familiar names such as Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett.
The master sales secrets of luxury king Bernard Arnault that make the world spend
Billionaire Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), controls more than 70 of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, from Louis Vuitton and Dior to Moët & Chandon and Bulgari.
White House: When politics and technology join forces to rewrite the global AI order
The White House became the epicenter of global attention as U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted a high-profile state dinner, bringing together more than 20 of the most powerful leaders in technology and American business.
Warren Buffett: The contrarian billionaire – What can Vietnamese entrepreneurs learn?
Warren Buffett has never invented a piece of technology, created a product that changed the world, or relied on social media.
Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit 2025: Driving sustainable growth in golf tourism and golf economy in Vietnam
Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit2025 (VNGOS 2025), focusing on the sustainable development of golf tourism and the golf economy in Vietnam, will be held for the first time on October 30 - 31, 2025, at Laguna Lăng Cô Resort, Hue City.
President Luong Cuong’s visit to China: A message of Vietnam’s diplomacy
From September 2 to 4, 2025, President Luong Cuong led a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the 80th anniversary of the world’s victory over fascism and to carry out a series of high-level diplomatic activities in China.
Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: A strategy to elevate Vietnam’s education on the global stage
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s education sector and the opening of the 2025–2026 academic year, Professor Huynh Van Chuong shared insights on key achievements in education quality management.