At Cushman & Wakefield’s latest market briefing, Vietnam’s 30-year economic transformation was framed as the foundation for a new phase of urban growth — one in which planning, infrastructure, innovation and long-term competitiveness must evolve together to support the country’s next chapter.
Ho Chi Minh city, March 2026 – Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam has concluded its latest market briefing, “Built Over Time: Vietnam’s Urban Transformation 2015–2035,” examining the structural shifts shaping Vietnam’s economy, urban planning direction and long-term real estate potential.
At the event, Ms. Minh Hoang, Country Head, Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam, presented Vietnam’s development story not simply as one of momentum, but as a deep structural transformation — from a phase of rapid expansion to one of more sustainable, higher-quality growth. From the early years of market formation and policy reform, through global integration, to today’s push toward higher-value growth, Vietnam has steadily evolved into one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies. The country is now entering a more mature phase of development, where growth is increasingly defined not only by scale, but by productivity, innovation, infrastructure readiness and the quality of investment.
In 2025, Vietnam recorded GDP growth of 8.02%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2% over the past decade, including the COVID-19 period — the highest among the region’s major economies. FDI inflows reached US$38.42 billion, while total trade turnover hit a record US$930.05 billion, placing Vietnam among the world’s top 25 largest trading economies. China and the United States remained its key trading partners.
GDP per capita nearly doubled, rising from US$2,290 to US$5,026. Vietnam’s population also reached 102.3 million, while its rapidly expanding middle class continued to drive domestic consumption and urban demand. Taken together, these indicators reflect an economy that has significantly strengthened both its external competitiveness and internal resilience.
Source: GSO, Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam
Cushman & Wakefield also emphasized that Vietnam’s economic transformation over the past 30 years has unfolded through clearly defined stages of development. From the first wave of market-opening reforms and the establishment of private land-use rights in the 1990s, to the acceleration following WTO accession, the post-2014 diversification phase, and more recently the period of market recalibration and institutional refinement, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to absorb shocks and continue advancing. The firm believes that the next cycle, toward 2030 and beyond, will be driven by greater legal transparency, more strategic infrastructure development, and the national ambition to become Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy before 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045.
The briefing also noted that Vietnam’s FDI attraction strategy has remained broadly consistent over the past decade, with manufacturing and processing continuing to account for nearly 60% of total FDI, followed by real estate at close to 20%. However, the country’s export structure has undergone a major transformation. From an economy once concentrated on phone assembly and garment manufacturing, Vietnam has expanded its export value by 166%, driven by the growth of electronics, computers, machinery and mechanical equipment, mobile phones, and related industries. In the next phase of economic development, with a stronger focus on improving the quality of FDI, Vietnam is placing greater priority on strategic sectors such as semiconductors and chip manufacturing, AI, robotics, biotechnology, and nuclear energy. In doing so, the country aims to strengthen its competitive advantage and reposition itself from a low-cost labor and manufacturing destination into a high-tech investment hub.
Against this backdrop, a central theme throughout the briefing was that urban planning and infrastructure development must move in parallel with economic transformation. As Vietnam evolves into a more complex, higher value-added economy, its cities can no longer continue expanding in a fragmented manner. Instead, planning must support integrated urban areas, stronger infrastructure connectivity, the formation of employment clusters, education and healthcare ecosystems, and the creation of a higher-quality living environment.
Commenting on the urban planning session, Ms. Ngoc Le, Senior Director, Strategic Consulting, Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam, said:
“The strongest lesson from our urban planning case studies is that successful urbanisation is never just about adding housing stock. It is about creating a complete urban logic — where infrastructure, jobs, education, healthcare, public amenities and quality of life evolve together. Vietnam’s larger planning footprint gives it a real opportunity to develop integrated mega-townships more effectively, but this requires long-term discipline and a planning mindset that builds districts, not just buildings.”
Through the case studies presented at the briefing, Cushman & Wakefield identified several recurring principles for Vietnam’s urban future: infrastructure connectivity must come early, planning discipline creates long-term commercial value, and mixed-use ecosystems incorporating schools, healthcare, offices, retail and public spaces are more resilient over time. Examples from China and Vietnam show how coordinated planning can support both population growth and price resilience while enhancing the overall quality of urban life.
Looking ahead, Mr. Anshul Jain, Chief Executive, India, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa, Cushman & Wakefield, said:
“Vietnam remains one of the region’s most compelling long-term growth markets because its story is no longer just about speed of expansion, but about the quality of that expansion. From a regional perspective, the direction is increasingly clear: urban planning, infrastructure investment and economic strategy must become more closely aligned. If this alignment continues, Vietnam will be exceptionally well positioned to create more competitive cities, more investable urban corridors, and a stronger platform for long-term real estate growth.”
The 2026 forecasted GDP Growth of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand were adjusted based on the government’s target
Source: Moody’s Analytics, Cushman & Wakefield Research, Vietnam
Cushman & Wakefield believes Vietnam is entering a pivotal period in which economic fundamentals and urban planning are becoming more closely interconnected. With stronger infrastructure ambitions, a broader domestic market, continued FDI interest and an increasing focus on integrated urban development, the country is well positioned to shape the next generation of metropolitan growth in a more strategic and sustainable way.