Vietnam has cemented its position as the fastest-growing major economy in Southeast Asia, with the ASEAN-6 region projected to expand by 4.7% in 2026, according to the latest forecast from Maybank Investment Banking Group (Maybank IBG). Vietnam’s GDP is expected to surge by 7.8% this year and 7.9% in 2027, significantly outpacing the regional average and solidifying its status as the primary engine of growth among ASEAN’s major economies.
The optimistic outlook was underscored at the annual Invest ASEAN 2026 conference, held in Singapore on July 7-8, which drew approximately 200 of the world’s largest global investment funds and financial institutions. These participants collectively manage total assets worth up to US$23 trillion — a staggering figure that reflects the region’s growing appeal as a safe haven for international capital amid a volatile global economic landscape. The conference served as a direct bridge connecting foreign capital flows with 54 leading businesses from six ASEAN economies, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, representing a combined market capitalization of approximately US$553 billion.
Notably, Vietnam boasted the highest number of participating companies at this year’s conference, with 14 businesses representing sectors that have attracted significant investor interest — spanning banking, technology, consumer goods, healthcare, manufacturing, and renewable energy. The overwhelming presence of Vietnamese enterprises reflects the growing international appetite for one of the region’s most dynamic economies.
Michael Oh-Lau, CEO of Maybank IBG, emphasized that this year’s attendance exceeded expectations, demonstrating that ASEAN remains a safe haven attracting both domestic and international investors despite geopolitical uncertainties. He identified energy transition, supply chain restructuring, and AI-driven digital transformation as the prominent themes shaping the region’s growth trajectory in the coming years.
Vietnam’s remarkable growth is further validated by projections from the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), which forecast the country’s GDP to reach 7.6% in 2026, leading the ASEAN+3 region — which comprises 10 Southeast Asian nations along with China, Japan, and South Korea. The country’s manufacturing sector has already recorded a consolidated 28% growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows during the first half of 2026, driven by the transition to high-tech and clean energy industries. International investors increasingly view Vietnam not merely as a low-cost manufacturing base but as a high-value manufacturing hub with growing integration into electric vehicle supply chains and advanced manufacturing.
With ambitious targets of attracting US$40-50 billion in annual registered foreign investment during the 2026-2030 period, Vietnam is positioning itself to overtake regional peers and narrow the technology gap with more established manufacturing hubs.