(VOVWORLD) - 2026 is the starting point of Vietnam’s new development journey, which has been shaped by the aspiration to rise. After 40 years of renewal, Vietnam begins the 5-year development plan 2026-2030 with a strong foundation: political and social stability, a deeply integrated economy, and strengthened international credibility.
 2026 marks Vietnam's new development journey. (Photo: VTV) |
Many international investors say Vietnam is emerging as a pillar of stability and a strategic long-term choice.
Trust, a valuable asset in attracting investment
Alongside its growth rate, a consistent development orientation is what foreign investors frequently mention when talking about Vietnam. Investment funds and multinational corporations highly value Vietnam’s steadfast commitment to growth aligned with macroeconomic stability, inflation control, and the safeguarding of major economic balances. Consistency has helped build trust, which is regarded as an “intangible asset” with exceptional value in attracting global capital.
Jim Aiello, Co-founder and Co-chairman of the Greenwich Economic Forum, the US, said, “I think what business leaders and investors like to see is stability, consistency, obviously a rule of law, and policies where there's a lot of transparency. Those are the elements that are going to drive success.”
Vietnam’s goal of pursuing higher-quality growth, based on science and technology, innovation, the digital economy, and green growth, is widely seen by the international community as aligned with global trends and a new driver ushering Vietnam into an era of double-digit growth. Some foreigners have this to say:
“They’re very ambitious targets of the government. Vietnam has demonstrated that it is quite resilient, with a steady recovery in the post-COVID period. The very ambitious reform agenda that the government has set out over the last couple of years has gradually been accelerated. This will be critical to achieving those government targets.”
“In the not very far future, Vietnam will have more unicorns, meaning new businesses driven by new technology. I see that businesses in Vietnam, especially Vietnamese businesses, will need to look closely at opportunities from now until the end of the 2020s and in the decades to come.”
“To sustain 8 or 10% growth, Vietnam must now transition from a cost economy to a capability economy. That means more engineers, more R&D, more service integration, and stronger domestic enterprises that can compete globally.”
With its favorable geographic location, a network of new-generation free trade agreements, and a dynamic workforce, Vietnam is creating a special appeal for investors. Many foreign enterprises view Vietnam not only as a manufacturing destination, but a long-term partner in their regional development strategies.
 Mark Woo, Director of Google Vietnam (Photo: dangcongsan.vn) |
According to the 10th annual e-Conomy SEA 2025 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company released last November, Vietnam’s economy earned a positive outlook and was recommended as a key market for digital technology and AI.
Mark Woo, Director of Google Vietnam, said: “The signal I take from this report, consistently over the past 10 years, is to invest in Vietnam. It is the place to be. It is the right time to be in this country. We also hope that forward-looking projections will help policymakers better understand opportunities and make adjustment of policies or create favorable conditions for specific sectors and businesses operating in those sectors.”
Clearly identifying challenges and opportunities for breakthroughs
Social and political stability, enhanced national stature, and growing confidence from the international businesses and investors are fundamental advantages for Vietnam to enter the 2026-2030 development period with a substantive, balanced, and sustainable manner.
Besides opportunities, Vietnam has identified that development must rely not only on speed, but also on growth quality; not only on capital and labor, but also on knowledge, technology, and human resources. It’s the way for Vietnam to turn challenges into drivers, seize opportunities to rise, and gradually realize its aspiration for fast, green, and sustainable development as the new journey begins.
 Thomas Valley, a scholar at Columbia University, the US (Photo: baoquocte.vn) |
In this process, continued institutional reform remains the strategic foundation, according to Thomas Valley, a scholar at Columbia University, the US.
“Obviously, Vietnam is going through a new era in its development, right? I think the various resolutions put forth are extremely impressive. Changes in the state sector, the reduction in employment, and in responsibilities and distribution of power, I think that will strengthen the state. It's a prerequisite,” he noted.
Rising from a firm foundation, along with the companionship and positive assessments of international investors and partners, Vietnam is confidently embarking on a new journey toward more sustainable development.