The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (2021-2025) concluded under extraordinary circumstances, marked by a rapidly changing, complex and unpredictable global environment. The Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, slowing global growth, rising inflation and increasing protectionism all posed unprecedented challenges.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s economic achievements and milestones during the term have carried significance far beyond numerical indicators. They reflect the Party’s leadership capacity, governance effectiveness and the resilience of the Vietnamese economy.

Impressive highlights

In a recent signal of Vietnam’s growth prospects, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) officially released its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the fourth quarter of 2025, which reached 80.0 points, the highest level in seven years.

According to EuroCham, the result marks a clear and sustainable recovery in business confidence in Vietnam, even as the global economic environment continues to face uncertainties. More importantly, it signals a distinct shift, as confidence is not only being reinforced but is also emerging as a driving force behind expansion and investment decisions in the period ahead.

From EuroCham’s perspective, the business confidence story reflects the spillover effects of policy consistency that Vietnam’s economy has pursued over many years standing out as tangible successes of the 2021-2025 period.

A defining feature throughout the 13th Congress term was the steadfast maintenance of macroeconomic stability amid heightened risks. Vietnam remained committed to growth targets while keeping inflation under control, stabilizing major economic balances and ensuring financial-monetary security, energy security and food security.

At a time when many major economies slipped into recession or stagnation, Vietnam’s ability to sustain relatively strong and stable growth widely acknowledged by the international community underscored the effectiveness of the development path set out by the 13th Congress.

Another notable hallmark of the term was the economy’s rapid recovery from the Covid-19 shock. Socio-economic recovery and development programs were deployed in a timely and targeted manner, helping businesses and citizens overcome difficulties while reviving growth drivers.

The 13th Congress term also marked a clear shift in development thinking from prioritizing speed to placing greater emphasis on quality, efficiency and sustainability. Economic restructuring, aligned with renewing the growth model, was advanced across multiple sectors.

Industry continued to play a pillar role, with a focus on processing and manufacturing, supporting industries and deeper integration into global value chains. Agriculture moved toward an ecological and modern model, linked with advanced new-style rural development. The service sector expanded strongly, particularly high value-added industries.

Notably, digital transformation, the digital economy, green growth and the circular economy were identified as new growth engines, reflecting the Party’s long-term vision amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution and global sustainability demands.

A foundational highlight of the 13th Congress term was progress in improving the socialist-oriented market economy institutions. Major policies on land, investment, enterprises, science and technology, innovation and human resource development were issued, revised and supplemented toward greater transparency, coherence and alignment with international practices.

Administrative reform and improvements in the business and investment climate continued, creating more favorable conditions for enterprises, especially the private sector to assert themselves as a key economic driver.

The term also reaffirmed the principle that economic development must not be separated from social progress and equity. Social security, sustainable poverty reduction and improved living standards particularly in remote, ethnic minority areas were advanced in a coordinated manner, serving as a vital measure of growth quality and the humane nature of Vietnam’s development path.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade shifts toward strategic facilitation

For the industry and trade sector, 2021-2025 was a turbulent period marked by unprecedented challenges. Despite strong headwinds, the sector remained united, overcame difficulties and achieved historic results, setting multiple new records.

This period can be seen as a “state transition” for the sector from addressing short-term issues and legacy problems to strategic facilitation; from growth in volume to growth in quality, depth and rising international standing.

The economic highlights of the 13th Congress term bear the clear imprint of the industry and trade sector, which has played a central role both domestically and internationally.

It was the most intensive term in history for institutional and policy advisory work, with many strategic breakthroughs paving the way for fast and sustainable development. Industry rebounded strongly, with industrial GDP nearly doubling compared to the start of the term, while exports and imports also almost doubled, propelling Vietnam into the world’s top 15 trading nations.

No previous term witnessed such breakthroughs in energy institutions and infrastructure as seen during 2021-2025, laying a crucial legal and strategic foundation for medium- and long-term energy security and enabling energy to move one step ahead.

Other notable achievements included stabilizing the domestic market, maintaining supply-demand balance, rapid growth in e-commerce keeping Vietnam among the global top 10 in growth speed and the swift opening of new markets through practical agreements aligned with Vietnam’s integration capacity.

A solid foundation

Overall, the economic highlights of the 13th Congress term lie not only in achieved indicators but, more importantly, in building a solid foundation for the next stage of development ushering Vietnam into a new cycle of acceleration and breakthrough.

From that foundation, the 14th Congress demands a renewed spirit: more decisive action, greater ambition and higher responsibility before history and the people.

The new term must further unlock development resources starting with human capital, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Institutions must become a genuine competitive advantage, reforms must be substantive, and discipline must be strengthened to ensure a transparent and healthy development environment.

Building on the 13th Congress foundation, the 14th Congress must drive clearer momentum in forming and activating new growth engines. Industry must climb higher in global value chains; agriculture must become smarter, greener and higher-value; services must emerge as a modern growth pillar.

Digital, green and circular economies must move from orientation to concrete, measurable results. Fast development without sacrificing the environment or social equity is becoming a core principle of the new term.

In particular, the private sector should continue to be affirmed as a key economic driver, given commensurate trust, opportunity and space to grow.

The 14th Congress marks a transition to a higher development stage, requiring greater vision and resolve. More than ever, Vietnam needs bold innovation, unified action and a strong aspiration for development.