Developments in Vietnam's economy in tourism, infrastructure, and trade

On October 15, 2026, a tourism and trade cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Vietnam. On the same day, record growth rates in the construction sector were announced, and steps were taken for new railway and infrastructure projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Tourism and Trade Cooperation

At the signing ceremony held in Hanoi, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for the 2026-2030 period was signed between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This agreement aims to develop modern shopping tourism models, expand consumption channels for Vietnamese goods, and protect tourist rights.

Infrastructure Partnership with Finland

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van, visiting Vietnam, met with Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. During the meeting, cooperation opportunities regarding the development of smart transportation infrastructure, green cities, digital transformation, and the mobilization of financial resources for infrastructure projects were evaluated.

Record Growth of the Construction Sector

According to data shared at the regular press conference on the third quarter of 2026 organized by the Ministry of Construction, construction activities grew by 12.22 percent in the first nine months. With this rate, construction became the fastest-growing area among the twenty-first level economic sectors.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Railway Projects

The Hanoi People's Committee signed a contract to implement five urban railway lines with a total length of approximately 253.5 kilometers using a turnkey model. The project's initial capital requirement is over 1 trillion VND and it is targeted for completion in 2030.

In Ho Chi Minh City, construction of nine major infrastructure projects and five urban railway projects is expected to begin in the fourth quarter.

Investments and Business Confidence

The Dong Nai People's Committee, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in Vietnam, organized a meeting attended by South Korean businesses, emphasizing that the total registered investment capital in the country exceeds 100 billion US dollars.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) announced that the Business Confidence Index reached 78.3 points in the third quarter of 2026 and European business confidence remains at a high level.