According to data released by the General Statistics Office (GSO) of the Ministry of Finance on 6/9, the industrial production index (IIP) in August is estimated to have increased 2.2% compared to the previous month and 8.9% compared to the same period last year.

The manufacturing sector continued to be the main driver, increasing 9.5% year-on-year. This was followed by electricity production and distribution, which increased 6.1%, and water supply, along with wastewater and waste treatment, which increased 2.4%. The mining sector achieved a growth rate of 9.1%, demonstrating a recovery in raw material production.

In the first 8 months of 2025, the IIP is estimated to have increased 8.5% compared to the same period last year (8.4% increase in the same period of 2024).

Industrial production index in the first 8 months of the year increased 8.5% compared to the same period in 2024, of which the manufacturing sector alone increased 10%. Source: General Statistics Office

The data also shows that IIP growth in August occurred evenly across most key industrial localities. Vinh Long led for the first time with a 10.1% increase; Hai Phong increased 7.8%; and Ho Chi Minh City increased 5.4%. Meanwhile, several other large industrial centers such as Da Nang and Bac Ninh decreased 1.7% and 1.2% respectively.

In addition to the IIP, other indicators also suggest that the economy is maintaining its recovery momentum. Merchandise exports in August increased 14.5% year-on-year, reaching 43.39 billion USD, with the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector accounting for nearly 75% of the total export value. Domestic consumption also increased 10.6%, reflecting increased purchasing power among residents.

With the current IIP growth, industrial manufacturers are hopeful for the fourth quarter of 2025, with the year-end shopping season and high export demand expected to continue driving national GDP growth.

According to the GSO, the number of employees working in industrial enterprises as of 1/8 increased 0.9% compared to the previous month and 4.7% compared to the same period last year.

Workers at Dong Tam's brick factory in Long An, 3/2025. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Besides industrial production, positive signs also came from newly registered businesses. In the first 8 months of the year, there was a surge in both the number of new businesses and registered capital. The country saw 128,200 newly registered businesses with a total registered capital of 1.25 quadrillion dong, an increase of 15.7% and 26.1% respectively compared to the same period last year.

More than 81,000 businesses resumed operations, bringing the total number of newly established and resumed businesses to 209,000, a 24.5% increase over the same period. This is the strongest increase in the past three years. On average, 26,200 businesses are established and resume operations each month.

Thai Anh