General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man attended the National Conference of the Government and Local Authorities – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
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On January 8th, the National Conference to review the work of 2025 and deploy tasks for 2026 of the Government and local authorities was solemnly held, connecting online from the Government Office to 34 provinces and centrally-run cities.
The conference served as a crucial opportunity to reflect on the challenging year of governance in 2025 and to clearly outline the direction, tasks, and solutions for 2026—a pivotal year for the nation’s development in the new phase.
Issuance of a Large Volume of Documents
At the conference, delegates comprehensively assessed the situation and achievements across various socio-economic sectors in 2025, candidly pointing out limitations, shortcomings, challenges, and analyzing causes to draw valuable lessons. Based on this, the Government proposed key tasks and solutions to successfully implement the 2026 socio-economic development plan.
According to the Ministry of Finance’s report at the Conference, under the decisive, insightful, timely, and hands-on leadership of the Party—directly and regularly by the Politburo, the Secretariat, led by General Secretary To Lam—along with the supervision and accompaniment of the National Assembly and the engagement of the entire political system, the Government’s administration has achieved many positive results.
In 2025, the Government and the Prime Minister issued a substantial volume of directives and administrative documents, including 377 decrees, 536 resolutions, 3,134 decisions, and 280 directives and telegrams. The focus was on perfecting institutions and laws; adjusting the 2025 growth target to 8% or higher; prioritizing growth promotion while maintaining macroeconomic stability; increasing revenue, saving expenditures; and focusing on key areas in public investment.
Additionally, the Government vigorously implemented the reorganization of the apparatus, built a two-tier local government system, promoted decentralization, advanced administrative procedure reforms linked with digital transformation, improved the investment and business environment, and proactively responded effectively to the United States’ countervailing tax policies. Efforts in cultural and social development, ensuring social welfare, and caring for people’s livelihoods continued to be emphasized; national defense and security were strengthened; and foreign affairs and international integration were expanded, creating a peaceful and stable environment for development.
The Numbers Speak
Thanks to the determined efforts of the entire political system, the people, the military, and the business community, the 2025 socio-economic situation of our country is estimated to have achieved the overall goal and many significant results, completing and surpassing 15 out of 15 key targets.
GDP growth in each quarter was higher than the previous one; for the entire year of 2025, it is estimated to reach 8.02%, among the world’s leading countries. The average growth rate for the 2021–2025 period is about 6.3%, higher than the previous period.
The manufacturing and processing industry grew by 9.97%, the highest level in the 2019–2025 period, remaining the main driver of growth.
The GDP scale in 2025 is estimated to reach 514 billion USD, rising 5 places to 32nd in the world; GDP per capita reached approximately 5,026 USD, 1.4 times that of 2020, elevating Vietnam to the upper-middle-income group, surpassing the set target.
Notably, 20 out of 34 localities achieved a GRDP growth rate of 8% or higher; among them, 6 localities achieved double-digit growth, including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, and Quang Ngai.
Many prestigious international organizations such as the IMF, Standard Chartered, and the World Bank highly evaluated Vietnam’s governance results and growth prospects.
Budget revenue exceeded estimates by 683 trillion VND in the context of continued implementation of exemptions, reductions, and extensions of about 251 trillion VND, and amidst significant global economic fluctuations, which is a very positive result.
In 2025, the state budget allocated the highest-ever capital for development investment, approximately 1.08 million billion VND, ensuring increased resources for public investment.
The state budget balance was ensured, with a budget deficit estimated at around 3.6% of GDP (lower than the planned 3.8% of GDP); public debt is estimated at 35-36% of GDP, below the ceiling of 60%.
By the end of 2025, 3,335 km of expressways had been completed (including 3,803 km of access roads and interchanges, exceeding the target by 803 km), and over 1,700 km of coastal roads (meeting the set target).
2026: Determined to Create New Breakthroughs
Entering 2026, the year of the 14th Party Congress, the election of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, and the first year of implementing the 2026–2030 Socio-Economic Development Plan with the goal of double-digit growth, the Government recognizes that it will continue to face many intertwined challenges and opportunities.
To successfully achieve the socio-economic development goals and the 2026 state budget estimate, the Ministry of Finance’s report proposes 5 key solution groups. The top priority is to promote growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring major balances; enhancing the capacity for analysis, forecasting, and early, proactive policy responses.
This is accompanied by continued comprehensive improvement of institutions and laws; bold renewal of development thinking; creation of a new growth ecosystem; increasing state budget revenue, tightly managing expenditures, and enhancing the efficiency of public resource use; controlling budget deficits and public debt within safe and sustainable limits.
– 09:18 08/01/2026
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