At the Government’s November 4, 2026, meeting, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng put inflation control first for the year’s final two months while reaffirming the goals of double-digit growth and macroeconomic stability. His message came as average consumer-price inflation for January–October reached 4.57%—above the roughly 4.5% full-year target.
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The balancing act is clear in the latest figures: prices were rising faster than the annual target, while trade, industrial production and retail sales were also growing strongly. The reports confirm the government’s broad priorities and several growth measures, but do not substantiate every specific directive sometimes linked to the meeting.
Why inflation is the immediate priority
Hưng said rapid growth would not benefit the wider economy or ordinary people if prices were not kept stable. He directed ministries and localities to focus on inflation through the end of the year.
2 The government’s stated challenge is to pursue double-digit growth without sacrificing macroeconomic stability or its inflation target.
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The pressure shows up in October’s consumer price index (CPI). It rose 0.20% from September, was up 4.41% from December 2025, and stood 5.09% higher than a year earlier. The monthly increase was mainly linked to higher domestic gasoline and diesel prices following increases in global fuel prices.
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Average headline CPI inflation for January–October was 4.57%. Average core inflation was lower, at 4.24%. Core inflation excludes some volatile or regulated items, including fuel, gas, fresh food and healthcare services.
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28 The figures measure different things: 4.57% is the average year-on-year change over 10 months, while 5.09% is October’s year-on-year rate.
Growth remains strong across several measures
Despite the inflation challenge, economic activity was robust in several areas during the first 10 months of 2026:
- Goods trade: Exports and imports totalled $1,010.55 billion, up 32.3% year on year. The milestone marked the first time Vietnam’s goods trade had passed $1 trillion.
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- Exports and imports: Exports reached $499.24 billion, up 27.5%, while imports totalled $511.31 billion, up 37.4%. The difference between those reported totals amounts to a goods-trade deficit of about $12.07 billion.
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- Industrial production: The industrial production index rose 12.4% over the first 10 months, its strongest increase in eight years. In October, it was estimated to have grown 2.3% from September and 15% year on year.
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- Retail sales: Total retail sales increased 13.5% over the first 10 months.
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- Investment and public finances: Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $54.85 billion and disbursed FDI reached $24.08 billion. State budget revenue was nearly VND2.45 quadrillion, or 96.4% of the annual estimate. Public-investment disbursement stood at VND720.5 trillion, or 75.4% of the assigned plan.
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What the government called for—and what remains unconfirmed
In its account of the November 4 meeting, Vietnam News Agency reported calls for more concrete efforts to boost exports, reduce the trade deficit, stimulate private investment, remove obstacles for businesses and improve productivity through science, technology and new economic sectors.
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The available reporting does not confirm every specific instruction sometimes associated with the meeting. In particular, it does not establish detailed directives on inflation hotspots in particular cities, updated inflation scenarios, currency management, interest- and exchange-rate stability, reciprocal trade negotiations with the United States, reallocating funds from slow-moving projects, limiting new provincial offices, or campaigns to boost tourism and consumption before Lunar New Year. Those measures should not be presented as confirmed instructions based on the material available here.
There is, however, a clear economic tension. Stronger investment and household spending can raise demand for construction materials, labour, energy, transport and services. If demand grows faster than supply, prices may face further pressure. Productive investment and more reliable supplies can also expand capacity over time. The challenge is to support economic activity without pushing demand ahead of what the economy can provide—especially with average CPI already above the approximate annual target.
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Reports also said fuel and electricity supplies were being ensured, and that reductions in fuel and electricity taxes were among the measures used to help control prices.
1 That context underscores the government’s effort to protect price stability while continuing to pursue growth.