Vietnam Rises as Strategic Growth Engine for Asia Pacific

PwC Vietnam recently announced the launch of its 29th Global CEO Survey, revealing a moment of profound transition for business leaders across the Asia Pacific region.

According to the findings, Vietnam is entering a new phase of growth, anchored by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, deepening integration into global supply chains and continued regulatory modernization, positioning the country at the center of this regional reinvention.

“In today's rapidly changing world, our 29th Annual Global CEO Survey highlights a key challenge for leaders: balancing the need to manage emerging risks while setting the stage for future growth. Vietnam is uniquely positioned in this moment. Despite regional caution, our nation is a top three investment choice for Asia Pacific CEOs and a pivotal hub in the global reconfiguration of trade and supply chains,” said Mai Viet Hung Tran, General Director of PwC Vietnam.

“Realizing this opportunity will require decisive action. Businesses need stronger foundations in data, talent and governance to convert AI from promise into performance. Cybersecurity must move from a technical concern to a central boardroom focus. Above all, leaders must master a dual agenda by strengthening near term resilience while simultaneously reinventing their organizations for the future,” he added.

Vietnam’s economic momentum amid regional uncertainty

The Asia Pacific region is expected to contribute nearly 60% of global growth in 2026, yet CEOs across the region continue to grapple with persistent headwinds, from inflationary pressures to fragile geopolitics. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s economic outlook remains notably strong. Vietnam is positioned for significant outperformance with an actual GDP growth of 8.02% in 2025 while the country sets GDP growth at 10% for the period from 2026 - 2030, driven by resilient domestic consumption, planned increases of 20 - 30% in public infrastructure investment and expected 8% export expansion in 2026, even amid global trade tensions.

Vietnam’s continued rise as a regional outlier is also supported by a regulatory environment that is becoming more transparent, predictable and investor-friendly. The Investment Law 2025, which took effect on 1 March 2026, is now simplifying administrative procedures, enhancing legal certainty and strengthening investor protections, further bolstering Vietnam’s attractiveness to foreign investors and reinforcing long-term private-sector competitiveness.

Vietnam is now among the top three destinations for Asia Pacific CEOs planning outbound investment following the U.S. (42%) and ahead of the China Mainland (14%), with interest in Vietnam rising sharply from 8% to 15% year-on-year.

CEOs confront short-term pressures while betting on reinvention

Technology transformation is clearly rising on the CEO agenda. While 39% of Asia Pacific CEOs report revenue gains from AI and 26% report cost reductions, nearly half of companies continue to struggle to translate AI initiatives into financial impact. The survey underscores that companies with strong foundations: robust data governance, integrated digital systems, reliable investment and responsible AI protocols, are twice as likely to see measurable benefits.

At the same time, cybersecurity has become the top CEO concern, with exposure to cyber risk rising from 23% to 39%, overtaking concerns about inflation and macroeconomic volatility. Vietnam’s fast-growing digital economy, particularly in manufacturing, fintech and export services, makes cybersecurity readiness both a national priority and a business imperative.

The survey also highlights significant shifts in workforce structure as automation and AI mature. CEOs anticipate a reduction in junior roles (45%) but expect mid-level positions to expand (46%), reflecting growing demand for talent capable of oversight, complex decision-making and AI-enabled process management.

Vietnam’s export performance remains a cornerstone of its economic strength. Despite facing a 20% U.S. tariff, the country’s exports grew 17% in 2025, driven by nearly 28% growth in shipments to the United States. However, 86% of Vietnamese manufacturers expect challenges in 2026 as full-year tariff effects materialize, especially in apparel, furniture and agriculture. These pressures further emphasize the need for businesses to strengthen supply-chain resilience and diversify markets - efforts that are supported by improved regulatory clarity following recent legal reforms.

Reinvent to outperform in Vietnam’s next growth cycle

To translate Vietnam’s growing economic momentum into sustained, long-term advantage, business leaders must embrace reinvention as a continuous discipline rather than a one-off initiative.

This includes first expanding into new value chains by leveraging Vietnam’s growing role in regional supply chains (e.g., in midstream manufacturing and clean technology) to move into adjacent, higher-value sectors. This requires building more sophisticated, technology-driven, and sustainable capabilities.

Second, reinventing the business model by managing near-term risks while intentionally carving out leadership focus and capital for reinvention, and critically analyzing the entire value chain from upstream to downstream to understand where value can be created next.

Third, accelerating growth through deals. In Vietnam’s uniquely stable and supportive deal market, growth levers such as M&A and IPOs are powerful tools. Use them not just for capital, but to access new technology, attract strategic partners, and drive the corporate restructuring needed to outperform.

By Vietnam Business Forum