Vietnam's enduring appeal as a strategic anchor

The global economy is navigating an increasingly complex environment, shaped by geopolitical tensions, rising energy costs, and persistent supply chain disruptions.

- By Xavier Depouilly General manager DXL Research & Consulting

Against this backdrop, Vietnam continues to stand out as a comparatively stable and attractive destination for international investment, a picture confirmed by Q1/2026 Business Confidence Index (BCI), released by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam on April 15 and conducted by the team at DXL Research and Consulting.

The BCI for the last quarter moderated to 72.7, down from a post-pandemic high of 80.0 in the previous quarter. This adjustment reflects the weight of external pressures rather than any structural shift in Vietnam’s fundamentals. Business confidence remains at a comparatively high level, and performance data supports this reading: 92 per cent of surveyed European enterprises reported positive or neutral operational results in Q1/2026.

Looking back over 2025, 77 per cent of respondents either maintained or grew their Vietnam revenue, with 40 per cent reporting outright growth, a broadly resilient picture despite an increasingly challenging global context. Foreign direct investment disbursement also continued its upward trajectory, with official data pointing to over $5.4 billion in Q1 alone.