Vietnam's PMI Rises to 53.3 in August, Signaling Continued Growth

Vietnam's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 53.3 in August, up from 52.9 in July, signaling a continued improvement in the sector's health. This indicates sustained growth momentum for the Vietnamese economy. In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam's tourism sector welcomed 15.9 million international visitors, a year-on-year increase of 14.4%. This marks the highest number of international arrivals recorded in the first eight months of a year in recent times. Total import-export turnover reached a record high of $770.14 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 28.7% year-on-year. Exports rose by 22.4%, while imports increased by 35.3%. Nearly 138,100 new businesses were registered in the first eight months of 2026, with total registered capital reaching nearly VND1.708 quadrillion ($65.9 billion), up 7.7% in enterprise numbers and 36.2% in registered capital compared to the same period last year. The average registered capital per newly established business stood at VND12.4 billion, a 26.4% increase from the same period last year. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam has called for a strong shift from refining institutions and policies to effective implementation, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of education is to nurture people rather than pursue scores or qualifications. He also stressed that environmental protection and climate change response must be central to development decisions and serve as a foundation for green transition, stronger growth quality, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable economic development. These positive economic indicators reflect Vietnam's remarkable socio-economic progress over the past eight decades, characterized by strong economic growth, rising incomes, and major improvements in social welfare and quality of life. During the National Day holiday from August 29 to September 2, Noi Bai International Airport handled 3,336 take-offs and landings, up 14% year-on-year. Passenger traffic was estimated at 531,643, an increase of 22% from the same period last year. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, during the five-day National Day holiday from August 29 to September 2, the country’s tourism sector welcomed and served around 6.5 million visitors, up 18% year-on-year. John Campbell, Director and Head of Industrial Services at Savills Vietnam, noted that investment in electronics and semiconductors continued to concentrate in northern localities, which have developed relatively complete manufacturing ecosystems encompassing industrial infrastructure, technical labor, and supplier networks. In the first seven months of 2026, total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue were estimated at VND4.56 quadrillion (approximately $174.7 billion), up 13.1% year-on-year, indicating continued growth in the service sector. The port city of Hai Phong topped the 2025 FTA Index with 35.62 out of 40 points, ranking first among Vietnam’s 34 provinces and cities and the only locality rated “Very Good”. The city also led the country in access to information and legal compliance. Member of the Political Bureau and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Tran Cam Tu paid an official visit to Singapore and co-chaired the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue between the CPV and the People’s Action Party of Singapore from August 24–25.