Efforts to sustain production and business growth

In the first quarter of 2026, Dong Nai’s economy, in line with the national trend, maintained positive growth across industrial production, investment, and international trade.

A confectionery manufacturing company in Long Thanh commune. Photo: Vuong The

However, the global economy continues to face significant volatility driven by geopolitical conflicts and renewed inflationary pressures, posing multiple challenges. This situation requires both the business community and relevant authorities to step up efforts to stabilize and sustain production and business activities.

Growth amid challenges

According to the  National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam’s GDP expanded by 7.83% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, marking the highest first-quarter growth rate in the past decade. Macroeconomic indicators show that the domestic economy remains stable, with inflation kept under control.

Notably, export activities continued to grow strongly despite surging logistics costs. Export turnover in March rose by 40.3% compared to February and by 20.1% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first quarter to 122.9 billion USD, up 19.1% from a year earlier.

Similarly, Dong Nai reported a GRDP growth of 9.76% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2025. Of this, the industry–construction sector grew by 11.78%, services by 8.73%, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries by 4.77%, while net product taxes increased by 7.29%. With this performance, Dong Nai ranked seventh nationwide and led the Southern region in growth.

This accomplishment reaffirms that Dong Nai remains an important industrial and service center and is among the localities with strong adaptability and rapid economic recovery. According to the Dong Nai Statistics Office, these results reflect the province's efforts to proactively address difficulties facing enterprises, improve the investment and business environment, and step up administrative reform and digital transformation, thereby strengthening the confidence of the business community and creating momentum for growth.

Nevertheless, alongside these positive results, emerging challenges are becoming more evident. Production costs are rising, domestic consumption is recovering slowly, trade structures remain imbalanced, and reliance on the foreign-invested sector is increasing. Although recovery is underway, the foundations and sustainability of growth drivers have yet to be firmly consolidated.

Moreover, escalating geopolitical tensions are exerting greater pressure on production and business activities, particularly through rising input costs. As noted by Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, enterprises today are facing multiple pressures simultaneously, including costs, cash flow, market demand, and increasingly stringent international standards.

Sustaining production and business operations

Enterprises across the province are striving to maintain production momentum. Nguyen La Anh Dao, Director of Phuoc Hung Mechanical Co., Ltd. in Long Binh ward, said that business activities have experienced certain fluctuations, with market demand slowing. As a result, the company is working closely with partners to optimize production costs while expanding distribution channels and sales networks.

In the first quarter of 2026, Dong Nai recorded nearly 1,900 newly established enterprises with total registered capital exceeding 12.3 trillion VND. In addition, 336 enterprises registered additional capital of more than 15.7 trillion VND, indicating continued investment expansion by businesses in the province.

Encouragingly, despite various challenges, confidence in the business environment remains relatively stable. A survey by the Dong Nai Statistics Office shows that in the second quarter of 2026, 32.58% of enterprises expect improved business performance, 41.29% anticipate stability, while 26.12% foresee a downturn.

Experts emphasize that, amid mounting pressures, supporting enterprises, particularly in reducing production and business costs, should be a top priority. Measures such as cutting taxes and fees, lowering logistics and financing costs, and stimulating domestic demand are considered essential. Furthermore, continued efforts are needed to improve the investment climate, reduce compliance costs, and remove bottlenecks to enhance production capacity and deeper integration into global value chains.

Pham Van Viet, Chairman of Viet Thang Jean Co., Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City, suggested that exporters should carefully review contract terms, including not only force majeure clauses but also hardship provisions and price adjustment mechanisms, to avoid bearing uncontrollable cost fluctuations. He also recommended prioritizing regional markets. While access to markets in Europe and the United States remains challenging, enterprises should leverage the 18% growth in Southeast Asia and make full use of free trade agreements to offset rising shipping costs.

By V.The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho