Restructuring key industrial sectors

Vietnam’s manufacturing industry is entering a new phase. As the country’s merchandise exports continue to expand across global markets, compliance with international trade standards and rules is becoming increasingly essential to elevating the standing of its industry.

Production control with modern technology at GSB Steel Structure Joint Stock Company, Tan Trieu ward. Photo: Vuong The

Identifying the key and spearhead industries not only optimizes national resources, but also creates the momentum that enterprises need to break through in an increasingly competitive global era.

Shifting from quantity-driven to quality-oriented growth

According to the Department of Industry under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the manufacturing and processing sector accounted for around 24.5% of Vietnam’s GDP in 2025, providing a key foundation for economic growth. By 2030, this figure is expected to rise to approximately 28%.

Entering the 2026–2030 period, the sector still holds considerable potential, particularly as Vietnam continues to attract investment, expand export markets, and integrate more deeply into global value chains. At the same time, shifting global supply chains are positioning Vietnam as an increasingly vital global link.

Despite these advances, Vietnam’s industrial sector continues to face limitations, highlighting the need to devise a well-calibrated development strategy. Challenges such as reliance on imported raw materials, technological limitations, and weak linkages between domestic enterprises and foreign direct investment (FDI) firms are becoming apparent. Addressing these issues is now central to reform efforts, thus opening up opportunities to improve industrial sector’s autonomy and competitiveness in the years ahead.

On April 3, 2026, the Government issued Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP on the Law on Key Industries policies. The move is expected to mark a transition from growth driven by scale to growth focused on quality. In particular, the orientation is to shift the industrial development model from breadth to depth, from outsourcing and assembly to research, design, and production with high technological content. At the same time, it encourages the domestic production and manufacturing of key industrial products and the development of supporting industries. As the supporting industry ecosystem is gradually improving, it will create conditions for domestic businesses to enhance their capacity and engage more deeply into supply chains, while effectively leveraging free trade agreements.

According to Nguyen Van Hoi, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, a more synchronized policy framework, combined with the development of a comprehensive law for industrial sector, will open up new avenues for development, helping to unlock potential more effectively and improve the quality of growth. He also emphasized the need to develop industrial planning based on value chains, ensuring stronger linkages across sectors, regions, and localities.

Supporting industry products at Tinh Nguyen Hao One Member Co., Ltd., (Phuoc Tan ward). Photo: Vuong The

Strongly promoting supporting industries

In line with national trends, Dong Nai is taking a more rigorous and selective approach to industrial development. As the province targets double-digit economic growth and moves toward becoming a centrally governed city, the need for such selectivity is becoming increasingly pressing.

In industrial development, supporting industries, in particular, play a critical role in a production hub like Dong Nai. In the 2026–2030 period, the province aims for supporting industries to account for approximately 22–25% of total industrial output, with an annual growth rate of 8–10%. By 2030, the number of enterprises operating in this sector is expected to reach around 1,200.

Dong Nai’s supporting industries focus on areas with demand and advantages, aligned with development orientations, including supporting industries for textiles and garments, footwear, electronics, automobile and aircraft assembly, mechanical engineering, and high-tech industries. According to Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the province is prioritizing projects that apply clean, environmentally friendly technologies, as well as high-tech and renewable energy projects.

At the same time, the province is developing supporting industry enterprises that meet international standards in production management and product quality. A multi-tiered production network is gradually taking shape, linking local firms with multinational corporations, FDI enterprises, and manufacturers both within the province and nationwide. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of Tinh Nguyen Hao One Member Co., Ltd., (in Phuoc Tan ward) expressed confidence that Dong Nai will continue to achieve strong breakthroughs in the coming period. As foreign investment wave continues to flow into Vietnam, particularly into Dong Nai, it will inevitably drive demand for supporting industry products produced by local enterprises.

By the end of 2025, Dong Nai had nearly 1,000 supporting industrial enterprises, including 188 in the textile and garment sector, 58 in footwear industry, 270 in mechanical engineering, 140 in electronics, and more than 340 in other industrial sectors.

By Vuong The – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha