Vietnam’s economy could increase by about 4.8% in 2021

In its East Asia and Pacific Fall 2021 Economic Update released on September 28, the bank said a sustained global recovery would ensure strong demand for Vietnamese products in its main export markets like the US, EU, and China.

Vietnam’s GDP is expected to expand by about 4.8% in 2021, and the economy could converge toward the pre-pandemic GDP growth rate of 6.5% to 7% from 2022 onward, the World Bank has forecast.

According to the bank, aside from the second social protection support package, the government is considering tax relief to support businesses. Fiscal policy would become more supportive with faster execution of public investment, especially once mobility restrictions are rolled back, it said.

Given available fiscal space, the government should deploy further resources to mitigate adverse social impacts, the bank said, suggesting Vietnam pursue the goals of green growth and digitalisation to raise the resilience and sustainability of its economy.

In its September 2021 Vietnam Macro Monitoring, the bank also said the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow suggests continued confidence in Vietnam’s economy. WB experts explained that Vietnam’s economy still grew 2.9% last year against serious decreases seen in other countries.

Earlier, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised down Vietnam's 2021 GDP growth forecast from 6.7% to 3.8% due to a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has tightened the labour market, lowered industrial output, and disrupted agricultural value chains.

ADB remains bullish on the country’s prospects in the medium and long term. Growth could be aided by a revival of domestic demand, an acceleration in the disbursement of public investment, and an expansion to new export markets thanks to multiple free trade agreements and the expected global economic recovery.