Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has recently issued Decision No. 2837 on conducting a National Economic Census in 2026. This comprehensive survey will encompass the entire country, aiming to gather data from various business entities. The information collected will be pivotal in assessing the country’s economic and social development trajectory and will serve as a foundation for evidence-based policy formulation by the government.
The scope of this economic census is extensive, covering a wide range of entities:
- Corporations, conglomerates, businesses, cooperatives, cooperative alliances, and credit funds (referred to as businesses)
- Non-public service organizations
- Associations and societies
- Production and business units under administrative agencies and public service organizations
- Non-agricultural, forestry, and aquatic individual business households
- Collaboratives
- Branches and representative offices of businesses and foreign non-governmental organizations licensed to operate in Vietnam
Lastly, religious and faith-based organizations.
The census will focus on collecting five main groups of information: Identification details, industry of operation, economic type, labor force and asset-related data, revenue and expenses, adoption of modern technology, scientific research, and innovation, including digital economy and e-commerce, and specialized in-depth topics. The data collection will occur in two phases: Phase 1 from January 5, 2026, to March 31, 2026, and Phase 2 from April 1, 2026, to August 31, 2026. The preliminary results are expected to be released in January 2027, with the official outcomes announced in Q3 of the same year.
The Prime Minister will establish a Steering Committee for the 2026 National Economic Census
Vietnam’s socio-economic situation in the first seven months of 2025 showed positive signals. Illustrative image
A key feature of this economic census is the maximum utilization of existing administrative databases and the extensive application of information technology throughout the process, from data collection to processing. To ensure uniform implementation, the Prime Minister will establish a Steering Committee for the 2026 National Economic Census at the central level. The Ministry of Finance will take the lead, collaborating with relevant ministries, sectors, and local authorities to develop detailed plans, execute the census, and establish a comprehensive database for shared use.
Ministries such as Defense, Public Security, and Home Affairs will provide necessary cooperation, data, and conduct surveys within their respective domains. Local People’s Committees will form provincial and communal steering committees to oversee the implementation within their jurisdictions. Organizations and individuals subject to statistical surveys are obligated to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information within the specified timeframe and must not refuse or obstruct the provision of statistical survey information.
According to data from the General Statistics Office on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation in the first seven months of 2025, several positive signals were noted. For instance, foreign investment in Vietnam reached USD 24.09 billion, a 27.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the total import and export turnover of goods reached USD 514.7 billion, a 16.3% increase compared to the same period last year.
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