Finance sector makes significant contribution to country’s growth in 2025

The Ministry of Finance held a nationwide conference to review financial work in 2025 and implement tasks for 2026 on the afternoon of January 6 in Hanoi. The conference was conducted both in person and connected with online points of presence for 33 localities across the country.

The conference was attended and directed by Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Also present were members of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Ministers, leaders of ministries and central agencies, representatives from the National Assembly, and local leaders.

At the online point of presence in Dong Nai province, the session was chaired by Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee. Also in attendance were Truong Thi Huong Binh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Director of the Department of Finance, along with leaders of the province’s departments and agencies.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee, chairs the online point of presence in Dong Nai. Photo: Ngoc Lien

According to the Ministry of Finance’s report, GDP growth in 2025 is estimated at around 8%. As of December 31, 2025, state budget revenues reached approximately 2.65 million billion VND, exceeding the plan by 34.74% and increasing 30.3% compared to the same period last year, achieving the set target (at least 25% above the plan). Revenue structure was oriented toward sustainability, primarily coming from production and business activities.

Over the past year, the financial market developed in a stable and modern manner; the stock market was upgraded to a secondary emerging market in 2025. Export-import turnover in 2025 reached over 930 billion USD, 1.7 times higher than in 2020, with an estimated trade surplus of over 20 billion USD. Total social investment in 2025 is estimated at over 4.15 million billion VND, equivalent to about 32.3% of GDP.

In 2025, the Ministry of Finance thoroughly implemented the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW, focusing on synchronously perfecting institutions and laws, linked with innovating the approach to drafting and enforcing legislation in the fields of finance, state budget, investment, and other areas under the Ministry’s state management. The Ministry also promoted thorough decentralization and delegation to local authorities in line with the principle: “localities decide, localities act, localities take responsibility”.

The work of advising and administering fiscal policy was proactive, reasonably expansive, efficient, and focused on key priorities. Strong efforts were made to enhance revenue collection, strengthen management, and tighten control over regular state budget expenditures in order to concentrate resources on development investment.

In the field of public investment, approximately 1.15 million billion VND was allocated for development investment in 2025 (including additional allocations by localities), marking the highest ever. The direction and management of the 2025 public investment plan were carried out decisively, regularly, and continuously, focusing on resolving bottlenecks and obstacles in the disbursement of public investment funds. Public investment capital was allocated more centrally, continuing efforts to overcome scattered, fragmented, and wasteful investment practices.

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that in 2025, under the leadership of the Party, with the engagement of the entire political system and the support of the people and international friends, Vietnam achieved commendable results. The macroeconomy remained stable, inflation was controlled, and growth momentum was promoted. Public debt was kept under control. These achievements were made possible in part thanks to the important contributions of the finance sector.

The Prime Minister summarized the finance sector’s outstanding achievements with key phrases: accurate advisory work; streamlined apparatus; complete institutions; revenues exceeding expenditures; innovative enterprises; and stable mindset. He praised the Ministry of Finance as a “loyal treasury guardian, skilled advisor, and development resource”, making a significant contribution to the country’s growth.

However, alongside these achievements, the Prime Minister also pointed out remaining issues and limitations in the finance sector, such as persistent bottlenecks in public investment disbursement, ongoing difficulties in promoting the development of private economy and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and fiscal expansion policies that, despite being focused on key priorities, have not yet been fully effective.

From the limitations identified, the Prime Minister outlined lessons for the finance sector. Specifically, the sector must maintain unity and cohesion; have a firm grasp of the situation and respond promptly and flexibly with appropriate measures; and achieve a harmonious and effective combination of fiscal and monetary policies.

For 2026, the Prime Minister called on the finance sector to achieve breakthroughs, including ensuring double-digit growth. To reach these goals, he set out keywords for the finance sector: Aspiration for strength and prosperity - Pioneering Institutions - Effective Management - Leading Digitalization - Breakthrough Revenues and Expenditures - Sustainable Finance.

Regarding specific solutions, the Prime Minister requested that the Ministry of Finance must take the lead in innovating thinking and developing institutions worthy of its role as the central advisory body, coordinating macroeconomic management. The Ministry should effectively advise and propose measures to implement reasonably expanded fiscal policies, focused on key priorities, while ensuring national financial security, such as issuing project bonds, with particular attention to major projects.

Emphasis should be placed on developing household businesses, establishing policies to transform household businesses into enterprises, and small- and medium-sized enterprises into large enterprises. The private economy should be promoted, and the efficiency of state-owned enterprises improved. Policies should be designed to enhance the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The finance sector must continue to lead in science, technology, and innovation.

Regarding public investment disbursement, the Prime Minister demanded that 100% of the planned funds be executed, ensuring that capital is ready for projects rather than leaving projects waiting for funding, turning public investment into a growth-driving force.

In the spirit of “what is said must be done, what is committed must be carried out, and what is done must be effective”, and with the goal of achieving double-digit growth in 2026, the Prime Minister stated: This is a major target that the finance sector must strive for and conquer. In assigning tasks, focus must be placed on key priorities, with clarity on who is responsible, what is to be done, the timeline, accountability, and authority… there must be ambition, and that ambition must be transformed into effectiveness.

By Ngoc Lien - Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha