PM sets GDP growth target of 3.5-4% for Vietnam agriculture sector
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the agricultural sector to overcome obstacles in 2024 by turning "nothing into something, and difficulty into ease" to reach GDP contribution growth of 3.5-4%, with a minimum of $55 billion from exports.
The prime minister congratulated the agriculture sector for its overall success last year on Wednesday during a meeting to make 2023 reviews and outline tasks for 2024.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reviews the agriculture sector's work in 2023 and outlines its tasks for 2024 on Wednesday. Photo by The Investor/Bao Thang.
Sector overcomes headwinds
According to the PM, through a period of turmoil, the agricultural sector has overcome headwinds and achieved respectable results. "Vietnam's agricultural industry has changed from being passive to being proactive and creative, offering many initiatives to turn the situation around. Regarding production and processing, farmers and businesses have also changed from a defensive approach to making breakthroughs in agriculture," he emphasized.
The prime minister noted that Vietnam's economy is a bright spot in the region, according to assessments by multilateral development banks. In particular, agricultural, forestry, and fishery trade contribute to stabilizing people's lives.
A major contributor to export value was the fruit and vegetable sector, with a record figure of $5.6 billion, an increase of 50% compared to the previous record set in 2018 of $3.81 billion. Durian rose to become the number one exported fruit and vegetable product, with a turnover of more than $2 billion in 2023.
Five other farm products posting record-high export revenues were rice with $4.78 billion, up 38.4%; cashew with $3.63 billion, up 17.6%; coffee with $4.18 billion, up 3.1%; shrimp with $3.38 billion, down 21.7%; and wood and wooden products with $13.37 billion, down 16.5%.
Last year, Vietnam had a trade surplus of $28 billion, partly due to reduced imports of processing materials. Businesses and farmers tended to use domestic input materials, contributing to stabilizing the market.
Vietnam used to be a food importer, but after 30 years of innovation, it is now one of the top three rice exporters in the world. Despite a 9,000 hectare reduction in land, rice production in 2023 reached 43.4 million tons, up 1.7% from 2022, largely due to new varieties, improved quality, and technological advancements.
With a GDP per capita of roughly $4,300, Vietnam’s economy is estimated to reach $430 billion in 2023, placing it third in Southeast Asia. "The agriculture sector had a solid harvest and good prices when looking at the total accomplishments of the entire nation. People's lives have greatly improved, and people have more faith in the leadership of the Party and Government. I acknowledge and thank the achievements of the entire industry," he said.
Export target of over $55 billion
Regarding the goals and tasks for 2024, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to set a GDP contribution growth target of 3.5-4% for the entire industry (the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development set 3-3.5%) and agricultural, forestry, and fishery export turnover of $55 billion or more (the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development set $53-55 billion).
The prime minister asked the agriculture sector to "turn nothing into something, and turn difficulty into ease" in order to accomplish this goal, closely adhering to the government's motto.
He requested the agriculture ministry to stabilize the organization to build a lean workforce and promote digital transformation, green transformation and the circular economy.
Chinh also requested the agriculture ministry to make good supply and demand forecasts, supply sufficient market information, and successfully implement free trade agreements.
- Read More
Third round of Vietnam-US reciprocal trade pact talks sees 'significant progress'
The third technical round of negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. has concluded in Washington, D.C., with "significant progress made and gaps narrowed in all areas of negotiation," according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Economy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 9:57 pm GMT+7
HCMC seeks to expand infrastructure cooperation with Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
Ho Chi Minh City is aiming to expand cooperation with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (China) in infrastructure, one of the city’s key sectors following its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.
Economy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 8:00 pm GMT+7
Digital assets legalized in Vietnam
Vietnam has officially legalized digital assets with the approval of the Law on Digital Technology Industry by the National Assembly, the country's legislature, on Saturday.
Finance - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 3:07 pm GMT+7
$2.5 bln LNG power plant in northern Vietnam set for groundbreaking in late 2025
A $2.56 billion LNG-fueled power project in the northern Vietnam province of Thai Binh is slated to break ground later this year, according a project report dated June 2025.
Energy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 10:06 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s tech unicorn VNG expects 2025 loss to narrow by 47%, plans name change
VNG Corporation, Vietnam’s first tech unicorn, projects a net loss of VND620 billion ($2.38 million) in 2025, down 47% from last year.
Companies - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Prime Minister suggests AstraZeneca build pharma factory in Vietnam
Vietnam is willing to license AstraZeneca immediately to build vaccine and pharmaceutical factories, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Industries - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 10:59 pm GMT+7
Sugary drinks subject to excise tax in Vietnam from 2027
Sugary drinks in Vietnam will be subject to an 8% excise tax starting in early 2027 and 10% from 2028, according to the adjusted Excise Tax Law, passed by the parliament on Saturday.
Economy - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 4:56 pm GMT+7
Ericsson should focus on 6G research, build database for AI in Vietnam: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested Ericsson's cooperation with Vietnam should focus on piloting innovation initiatives, 6G research, and building a database for AI in the country.
Economy - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 3:59 pm GMT+7
Swedish giants H&M, Syre to scale up operations in Vietnam
H&M, a globally renowned fashion brand from Sweden, plans to expand its network of stores in Vietnam to over 20 in the time to come, said CFO Adam Karlsson.
Industries - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 2:16 pm GMT+7
Leading industrial park developer Becamex to gain from Binh Duong province’s merger into HCMC: broker
Becamex IDC Corp, a leading urban and industrial park developer based in Binh Duong, is expected to benefit from the province’s merger into Ho Chi Minh City, with many new development opportunities, according to Vietcombank Securities (VCBS).
Companies - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Vietnam Airlines secures $1.5 bln funding from ING Bank for strategic expansion
Vietnam Airlines and ING Bank have signed an MoU for bilateral financial cooperation, securing capital funding of up to $1.5 billion.
Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:56 pm GMT+7
Lawmakers scrutinize dual-city international financial center plan
Discussing a draft resolution on establishing an international financial center in Vietnam, some parliament members have proposed careful consideration of a dual-city model based on regional development strategies and investment efficiency.
Finance - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:49 pm GMT+7
Vietnam among world’s most food-self-sufficient nations: study
As concerns mount over the potential for disruptions to global trade, a new study published in the journal Nature Food has identified Vietnam as one of the few countries with a high level of food self-sufficiency, capable of withstanding major interruptions to food imports and exports worldwide.
Southeast Asia - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:41 pm GMT+7
Bad debts at Vietnamese commercial banks remain a concern
While the most challenging period for bad debts in Vietnam appears to have passed, potentially irrecoverable debts have reached a record high, accounting for 1.25% of total outstanding customer loans, or more than VND176 trillion ($6.74 billion), according to a new report by research firm Vietnam Report JSC.
Banking - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 7:58 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's galvanized steel major Ton Dong A to focus on domestic sales amid export market woes
Ton Dong A, a leading galvanized steel manufacturer in Vietnam, will focus more on the domestic market due to export difficulties, raising the ratio of domestic sales to 75%.
Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 4:56 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's leading construction materials maker Viglacera appoints new chairman
The board of directors of Viglacera, Vietnam's leading construction materials maker, has appointed Tran Manh Huu as new chairman, succeeding Nguyen Van Tuan.
Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 3:08 pm GMT+7