EuroCham’s Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the first quarter of 2026, released in Ho Chi Minh city on Wednesday, stands at 72.7, down 7.3 points from its recent peak of 80.0 last quarter, reflecting a more cautious outlook amid rising geopolitical tensions. Yet the index remains well above levels recorded over the past four years, reinforcing a consistent message: while global turbulence is influencing short-term sentiment, Vietnam’s long-term appeal is firmly intact.
EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert said the decline in Q1 “is not a retreat, but a necessary recalibration”. “The BCI data shows that while the geopolitical weather outside may be stormy, Vietnam’s economic foundations remain resilient”.
According to the BCI report, despite persistent geopolitical uncertainty, 77% of European businesses operating in Vietnam managed to maintain or increase their revenue in 2025, with 40% reporting revenue growth. In the first quarter of this year, 56% of European businesses managed a positive performance.
According to Jaspaert, “when over nine out of ten businesses continue to champion this market, it speaks volumes about Vietnam’s extraordinary potential for growth. The sustained GDP performance we are seeing, with Q1 2026 expanding by 7.83% – outpacing the same period last year – reinforces this confidence.”
The data underlines Vietnam’s role as a stabilizing node in global supply chains: a market where long-term fundamentals continue to outweigh short-term geopolitical turbulence.
