On the afternoon of 7 October, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held its regular press conference for the third quarter of 2026 in Hanoi. The press conference was chaired by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang. Also in attendance were leaders of departments, agencies and units under the Ministry, as well as reporters and journalists from press agencies.  

Industrial production, trade and energy record strong growth

At the press conference, providing information on economic, trade and industrial performance in September and the first nine months of 2026, Bui Huy Son, Director of the Department of Planning and Finance under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that during the first nine months of 2026, under the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister, the Ministry had closely followed the resolutions and conclusions of the Party and the National Assembly, as well as the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP. The industry and trade sector had proactively monitored market developments, ensured energy security, addressed difficulties facing businesses, and promoted production and exports.

Accordingly, industrial production, trade and energy performance in September, the third quarter and the first nine months of 2026 recorded many positive results, with growth reaching its highest level in several years, while the macroeconomic environment remained broadly stable. Within the industry and trade sector, production, trade and energy activities generally maintained a positive trend. Specifically:

First, industrial production continued to grow, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in September increasing by 16.65% year on year and 3.26% month on month. Cumulatively, the index rose by 12.33% in the first nine months, close to the nine-month target scenario of 12.28%. Manufacturing and processing remained the main growth driver, increasing by 12.93%, including a 17.12% rise in September alone.

Second, the domestic market continued to underpin growth, with total retail sales of goods and consumer services in September estimated at VND 690.6 trillion, up 14.1% year on year and 1.7% month on month.

Cumulatively, the figure reached VND 5,925.7 trillion in the first nine months, up 13.4%, within the annual target range and 1.4% above the nine-month plan. In the third quarter, total retail sales were estimated at approximately VND 2,039 trillion, an increase of 14.5%.

Third, import-export activities continued to be a bright spot. Export turnover increased sharply by 24.5% in the first nine months, while September alone recorded growth of 39.1% year on year, reaching the highest level since the beginning of the year. Foreign-invested enterprises accounted for 80.6% of total export turnover, with exports from this sector increasing by 29.2%, while domestic enterprises recorded growth of 8.1%. Growth was concentrated mainly in electronics, machinery and equipment. On the import side, import turnover increased by 36.7% in the first nine months, of which approximately 90.5% consisted of machinery, equipment, raw materials and fuels serving domestic production and the processing of goods for export.

Fourth, national energy security continued to be firmly ensured. The power system operated safely and stably, meeting the needs of production and daily life. Electricity generated and imported in the first nine months reached 266.58 billion kWh, up 9.65% year on year and equivalent to approximately 76% of the annual plan. In September, the figure reached 30.73 billion kWh, an increase of 11.95%.

Commercial electricity sales reached 237.19 billion kWh, up 9.66%. Of this total, the industrial and construction sectors accounted for 122.18 billion kWh, an increase of 8.32%, while electricity consumption in the trade, hotel and restaurant sectors rose by 13.61%. The power system’s reserve capacity stood at approximately 26%, exceeding the target of 21.8%. Petroleum supplies were ensured, with no disruptions despite fluctuations in global oil prices.

Fifth, e-commerce continued to develop, with the proportion of enterprises applying e-commerce reaching 68%, exceeding the target. However, the B2C market grew by only 19.5%, falling short of the target range of 20–22%. In the fourth quarter, the focus needs to shift decisively from expanding participation to improving transaction efficiency, service quality and the management capacity of digital platforms.

Implementing six groups of solutions to achieve annual targets

Alongside the positive results achieved in the first nine months of the year, the economy as a whole and the industry and trade sector in particular face a range of intertwined difficulties and challenges entering the fourth quarter of 2026. It is therefore essential to proactively monitor developments, adapt flexibly and focus on implementing key measures in a coordinated manner over the final three months of the year to achieve the highest possible level of the 2026 targets.

Accordingly, in the remaining months of the year, the industry and trade sector will focus on implementing six groups of solutions:

First, focus on addressing difficulties and promoting the recovery of industrial production: resolve bottlenecks related to orders and raw materials; provide maximum support to manufacturing and processing enterprises; and accelerate the commissioning of major industrial projects capable of generating additional output within the year.

Second, ensure energy security: accelerate construction and completion of key power generation and transmission projects; review and update power system operating plans under scenarios for peak demand at the end of the year; and ensure sufficient fuel supplies for electricity generation. Continuously update developments in oil prices and international transport routes; proactively diversify import sources; and flexibly coordinate price regulation, taxes, fees and national reserves to stabilise the domestic market and minimise the impact of external price shocks.

Third, boost exports, diversify markets and improve compliance capacity. In the fourth quarter, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on effectively leveraging signed free trade agreements (FTAs) and expanding into new markets; strengthen early-warning capabilities regarding trade defence cases, tariff barriers, green standards, traceability requirements and rules of origin.

At the same time, the Ministry will support businesses in improving product quality, building brands and ensuring supply chain transparency. It will promote formal exports, expand agreements and protocols on agricultural quarantine, increase investment in cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and standardise growing areas and packing facilities to meet the requirements of each partner market.

Fourth, stimulate consumer demand and strongly develop the domestic market: focus on implementing large-scale consumer stimulus programmes, the national concentrated promotion programme, initiatives to connect supply and demand, and the development of modern commercial infrastructure. Strengthen monitoring and follow-up of purchasing power and total retail sales in major consumption centres and localities with low growth rates, while ensuring supplies of essential goods to meet demand during the year-end peak season and the Lunar New Year.

Fifth, accelerate e-commerce development in conjunction with sound management of the digital marketplace. Under this task, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on implementing coordinated measures to bring B2C e-commerce growth within the target range of 20–22%. It will strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises and household businesses in adopting digital transformation and participating in cross-border e-commerce platforms.

In addition, the Ministry will strengthen market management, verify seller information, combat counterfeit and imitation goods, protect consumer rights, and enhance connectivity and data sharing among state management agencies in the online environment.

Sixth, improve the institutional framework, reform administrative procedures, advance digital transformation, work alongside businesses, promptly address difficulties and improve competitiveness.

At the press conference, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang and representatives of the Ministry’s functional units answered numerous questions from journalists concerning issues under the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s management that have attracted public attention.