NA adopts 2026 socio-economic development plan, targets growth of at least 10% – Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)

Report on Vietnam’s 2026 Socio-Economic Development Plan and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Resolution Approval

On November 13, the 15th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam ratified a Resolution outlining the nation’s socio-economic development plan for the year 2026. The resolution, which establishes 15 primary targets, was approved with a significant majority of 429 votes, representing 90.51% of the total NA deputies.

Key Development Targets and SDG Integration

The 2026 plan integrates core principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across its economic, social, and environmental targets.

Economic Growth and Innovation (SDG 8, SDG 9)

The plan prioritizes robust and sustainable economic growth, focusing on industrial advancement and productivity, in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth: A target of 10% or higher.
2. GDP Per Capita: An objective to reach between 5,400 USD and 5,500 USD.
3. Industrial Structure: The proportion of the processing and manufacturing industry is targeted to constitute approximately 24.96% of GDP.
4. Labour Productivity: An expected growth rate of approximately 8.5%.
5. Inflation Control: The average annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is to be maintained at around 4.5% to ensure macroeconomic stability.

Social Progress and Human Capital Development (SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 4)

Significant emphasis is placed on poverty reduction, public health, and education, reflecting a commitment to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

• Poverty Reduction: The multidimensional poverty household rate is projected to decrease by 1–1.5 percentage points.
• Employment: The plan aims to keep the urban unemployment rate below 4% and reduce the proportion of agricultural labour in the workforce to 25.3%.
• Skilled Workforce: A target is set for 29.5% of workers to possess degrees or certificates.
• Healthcare Capacity:
  • Achieve a ratio of 15.3 doctors per 10,000 people.
  • Provide 34.7 hospital beds per 10,000 people.
• Health Coverage: Expand health insurance coverage to 95.5% of the population.
• Rural Development: At least 15% of communes are expected to meet new-style rural standards under the 2026–2030 national criteria.

Environmental Sustainability and Management (SDG 6, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13)

The resolution includes specific environmental targets to promote sustainable urban development and responsible industrial practices, aligning with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Waste Management: Achieve a 95% collection and treatment rate for urban solid waste.
• Wastewater Treatment: Ensure 95% of industrial and export processing zones are equipped with centralized wastewater treatment systems that meet environmental standards.

Government Directives and Strategic Priorities for SDG Achievement

The National Assembly has tasked the Government with implementing a series of strategic measures to ensure the successful realization of the 2026 targets and broader SDG commitments.

Institutional Framework and Governance (SDG 16)

To foster a stable and transparent environment conducive to sustainable development, the government is directed to focus on strengthening institutions, a cornerstone of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

• Accelerate institutional reform and enhance law enforcement.
• Promote administrative simplification and digital transformation to improve the business climate.
• Intensify efforts to prevent corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct.

Infrastructure and Innovation (SDG 9)

The development of a modern growth model is central to the plan, with a focus on technology and infrastructure as key drivers for achieving SDG 9.

• Build a new growth model driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
• Prioritize strategic infrastructure development, especially in transport, energy, digital connectivity, and logistics.
• Develop high-quality human resources for emerging industries and promote technology transfer.

Climate Action and Environmental Protection (SDG 13)

The resolution identifies environmental protection and climate change response as integral components of the national strategy, directly supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action).

• Enhance the efficient management and use of natural resources.
• Implement measures to reduce pollution.
• Harmonize economic growth objectives with environmental preservation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in Vietnam’s 2026 Socio-Economic Plan

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article directly addresses poverty reduction by setting a target to decrease the multidimensional poverty household rate.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The plan includes specific goals for improving the healthcare system, such as increasing the number of doctors and hospital beds and expanding health insurance coverage to a vast majority of the population.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights the importance of human resource development by setting a target for the percentage of workers with degrees or certificates, which relates to improving skills for employment.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The goal to equip industrial zones with wastewater treatment systems directly contributes to reducing water pollution from industrial sources.
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • This is a central theme, with multiple targets focused on high GDP growth, increased GDP per capita, improved labour productivity, a low urban unemployment rate, and a shift in the labour force structure.
6. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article mentions goals for increasing the share of the manufacturing industry in GDP, developing strategic infrastructure, and promoting a growth model based on science, technology, and innovation, which are core to this SDG.
7. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The plan includes targets for managing urban solid waste and promoting rural development through “new-style rural standards,” addressing both urban and rural sustainability.
8. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The resolution explicitly identifies “climate change response” as integral to sustainable development, tasking the government with integrating these measures into its planning.
9. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • The article mentions the government’s mandate to accelerate institutional reform, strengthen law enforcement, and make stronger efforts to “prevent corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct,” which aligns with building effective and accountable institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • The article’s goal to make the “multidimensional poverty household rate… fall by 1–1.5 percentage points” is a direct effort towards this target.
2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…
   • The plan’s aim for “health insurance coverage of 95.5% of the population” directly addresses the financial risk protection aspect of universal health coverage.
3. Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce…
   • The target of having “15.3 doctors and 34.7 hospital beds per 10,000 people” reflects an investment in strengthening the health workforce and infrastructure.
4. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • The goal for “29.5% of workers having degrees or certificates” is a clear measure of progress towards a more skilled workforce.
5. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…
   • The target for “95% rate of industrial zones and export processing zones equipped with centralised wastewater treatment systems” directly contributes to reducing industrial water pollution.
6. Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances…
   • The article sets ambitious goals for a “gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 10% or higher” and “GDP per capita reaching to between 5,400 USD and 5,500 USD.”
7. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…
   • The plan’s expectation for “labour productivity is expected to grow by approximately 8.5%” aligns with this target.
8. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all…
   • The goal of “keeping the urban unemployment rate below 4%” is a direct measure related to achieving full employment.
9. Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product…
   • The target for “the proportion of the processing and manufacturing industry accounting for about 24.96% of GDP” directly supports this.
10. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.
    • The “95% rate of urban solid waste collection and treatment” is a specific goal aimed at improving municipal waste management.
11. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
    • The resolution’s statement that “Environmental protection and climate change response are identified as integral to sustainable development” confirms the integration of these measures into national planning.
12. Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
    • The call for “stronger efforts… to prevent corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct in all sectors” directly addresses this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 1: The “multidimensional poverty household rate” is a direct indicator, with a target reduction of 1-1.5 percentage points.
2. For SDG 3: The article provides several clear indicators:
   • Number of doctors per 10,000 people (target: 15.3).
   • Number of hospital beds per 10,000 people (target: 34.7).
   • Percentage of the population covered by health insurance (target: 95.5%).
3. For SDG 4: The “percentage of workers having degrees or certificates” (target: 29.5%) serves as an indicator for a skilled workforce.
4. For SDG 6: The “percentage of industrial zones and export processing zones with centralised wastewater treatment systems” (target: 95%) is a specific indicator for industrial water pollution control.
5. For SDG 8: Multiple quantitative indicators are mentioned:
   • Annual GDP growth rate (target: 10% or higher).
   • GDP per capita (target: 5,400-5,500 USD).
   • Annual growth in labour productivity (target: 8.5%).
   • Urban unemployment rate (target: below 4%).
6. For SDG 9: The “proportion of the processing and manufacturing industry in GDP” (target: 24.96%) is a key indicator of industrialization.
7. For SDG 11: The “rate of urban solid waste collection and treatment” (target: 95%) is a direct indicator for municipal waste management.
8. For SDG 13 & 16: While specific quantitative indicators are not provided for these goals, the article implies progress would be measured by the successful implementation of policies related to climate change response, institutional reform, and anti-corruption efforts.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: en.vietnamplus.vn