For sustainable urban development – Vietnam Economic Times

Socio-Economic Report: Vietnam’s Trajectory (2021-2025) and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Economic Resilience and Progress Towards SDG 8

During the 2021-2025 period, Vietnam demonstrated significant economic resilience amidst global challenges, including post-pandemic effects, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. This performance reflects substantial progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• The national economy sustained an estimated average annual GDP growth of 6.3%, a key indicator of robust economic performance under SDG 8.
• Growth was primarily driven by strong export performance, consistent foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, and rising domestic consumption.
• Proactive governance and private sector dynamism were instrumental in navigating domestic structural constraints and external shocks, reinforcing the nation’s capacity for sustained economic growth.

Strategic Pivot to Green and Digital Economies

A central component of Vietnam’s development strategy has been the dual transition towards a green and digital economy, a policy imperative that directly supports multiple SDGs. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh identified these transitions as “objective imperatives, strategic choices and top priorities.”

1. The Green Transition: Advancing SDGs 7, 11, 12, and 13

   At the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) 2025, the government and business community reaffirmed their commitment to global sustainability trends. This aligns with:

   • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Through prioritizing and seeking investment in renewable and new energy sources.
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By focusing on the development of smart, sustainable infrastructure.
   • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action): By integrating green growth principles into the national economic framework.
2. The Digital Transformation: Fostering SDG 9

   The emphasis on digital transformation is a direct contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The government has actively encouraged foreign investment in high-tech growth engines, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the semiconductor industry, to build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation.

Empowering the Private Sector for Sustainable Growth (SDG 8 & SDG 9)

The empowerment of the private economic sector has been identified as a cornerstone of Vietnam’s long-term growth strategy, contributing significantly to both SDG 8 and SDG 9.

• The Politburo’s Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, issued in May 2025, serves as a landmark policy to elevate the private sector’s role.
• The resolution aims to have at least 3 million enterprises contributing over 60% of GDP by 2045, fostering widespread job creation and economic dynamism in line with SDG 8.
• Policy impacts are already evident, with 255,800 new and resuming enterprises recorded in the first ten months of 2025, a 26.5% increase over the same period in 2024. This growth in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is vital for innovation and industrial development under SDG 9.

Outlook for 2026-2030: A Commitment to an Inclusive and Sustainable Future

Vietnam’s strategic foresight during the 2021-2025 period has established a foundation for the upcoming 2026-2030 plan. The continued focus on green growth, digital innovation, and private sector empowerment is set to shape a sustainable and inclusive future, demonstrating a comprehensive national strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The following SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article extensively discusses Vietnam’s economic performance, including an average annual GDP growth of 6.3%, robust export performance, and rising domestic consumption. It also highlights policies aimed at empowering the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are central to creating jobs and fostering sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article emphasizes Vietnam’s strategic focus on a “digital economy,” “smart infrastructure,” and “digital transformation.” The call for investment in new growth engines like AI and semiconductors directly relates to fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The commitment to a “green” economy is explicitly linked to prioritizing “renewable energy” and “new energy.” This aligns directly with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The government’s resolve to align with “global sustainability trends” and pursue “green growth” points towards a shift to more sustainable patterns of consumption and production, which is the core of SDG 12.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The strategic choice and top priority given to the “green transition” and “renewable energy” are fundamental actions to combat climate change and its impacts, directly connecting to the objectives of SDG 13.

2. Specific SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances. The article highlights Vietnam’s achievement of an “estimated 6.3 per cent annually” GDP growth in the 2021-2025 period.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. This is directly addressed by the mention of Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, which aims to “elevate Vietnam’s private economic sector” and empower SMEs by “streamlining regulations, enhancing access to capital, and fostering innovation.”
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The article’s focus on a “green economy,” “renewable energy,” and “smart infrastructure” directly supports this target.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries. The Prime Minister’s call for investment in “AI, semiconductors, new energy and renewable energy” reflects a commitment to this target.
3. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This is directly supported by the government’s prioritization of “renewable energy” as part of its green transition.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Annual GDP Growth Rate (Indicator 8.1.1): The article explicitly states that “the country’s GDP growth averaged an estimated 6.3 per cent annually in the 2021-2025 period.” This is a direct quantitative measure of economic growth.
• Number of Enterprises: The article provides a specific national target and a progress metric. The target is to have “at least 3 million enterprises… by 2045.” The progress indicator is the number of new businesses, with the article noting that “255,800 new and resuming enterprises were recorded” in the first ten months of the year, a “26.5 per cent increase” over the previous year. This serves as a direct indicator for Target 8.3.
• Investment in Key Sectors: While not a formal SDG indicator, the Prime Minister’s call for foreign investors to invest in “AI, semiconductors, new energy and renewable energy” implies that tracking Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in these specific high-tech and green sectors is a key measure of progress towards digital and green transformation (Targets 9.b and 7.2).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: en.vneconomy.vn