Retail sales of goods and consumer services increased by 13.4%.
According to the General Statistics Office, trade and service activities in September maintained a relatively high growth rate, with total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue estimated at 690.6 trillion VND, an increase of 1.7% compared to the previous month and an increase of 14.1% compared to the same period last year.
In particular, retail sales of goods across most product categories showed an upward trend compared to the previous month and the same period last year. Household goods, tools, and equipment increased by 2.9% compared to the previous month and by 9.7% compared to the same period last year; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and scooters increased by 2.4% and by 15.2%.
Commodity groups including wood and building materials, other goods, gasoline, and various types of oil all increased by 1.9% compared to the previous month and increased by 24.2%, 17.6%, and 14.9% respectively compared to the same period last year.
Overall, in the first nine months of 2026, total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue at current prices are estimated to reach VND 5,925.7 trillion, an increase of 13.4% compared to the same period last year; excluding the price increase factor, the increase is 7.8%, while in 2025 it was 7.2%.
Specifically, retail sales of goods in the first nine months of 2026 are estimated at VND 4,463.6 trillion, accounting for 75.3% of the total and increasing by 12.8% compared to the same period last year. Several localities experienced significant increases in retail sales of goods in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, including: Da Nang (up 14.0%); Quang Ninh (up 13.7%); Bac Ninh (up 13.5%); Can Tho (up 13.4%); Hai Phong (up 13.2%); Dong Nai (up 12.8%); Hanoi (up 12.7%); and Ho Chi Minh City (up 12%).
Along with improved purchasing power, revenue from accommodation, food and beverage, travel and tourism , and transportation activities all experienced double-digit growth.
Revenue from accommodation and food services in the first nine months of 2026 is estimated at VND 758.6 trillion, accounting for 12.8% of the total and increasing by 16.7% compared to the same period last year.
Tourism revenue for the first nine months of 2026 is estimated at VND 78.1 trillion, accounting for 1.3% of the total and increasing by 17.9% compared to the same period last year. Several localities experienced significant year-on-year increases in revenue during this period, including: Ca Mau (86% increase); Bac Ninh (45.3% increase); Tay Ninh (41.3% increase); Lam Dong (37.7% increase); Khanh Hoa (29.3% increase); Hue City (28.9% increase); Quang Ninh City (25.7% increase); Lao Cai (17.8% increase); Hanoi and Da Nang (both 16.5% increase); and Ho Chi Minh City (15.9% increase).
Along with the resurgence of trade and services, transportation activities continued to maintain high growth momentum, meeting the travel needs of people, international visitors, and the circulation of goods serving production and business. In September, passenger transport increased by 18% in terms of transport volume and 14% in terms of turnover compared to the same period last year. Freight transport increased by 19.3% and 17.9% respectively.
Overall in the third quarter of 2026, passenger transport increased by 15.9%, and freight turnover increased by 11.5%; freight transport increased by 18.1%, and freight turnover increased by 15.1%. For the first nine months of the year, passenger transport reached 5,300.8 million passengers, an increase of 17.4% compared to the same period last year; freight turnover increased by 11.9%.
35 product categories achieved export turnover exceeding 1 billion USD.
After nine consecutive months of trade deficit, the September trade balance for goods showed a return to a surplus of $1.27 billion. However, for the first nine months of the year, Vietnam still had a trade deficit of $19.42 billion.
Total merchandise exports and imports in September reached US$117.69 billion, an increase of 7.3% compared to the previous month and a 42.4% increase compared to the same period last year. During the month, exports totaled US$59.48 billion, while imports reached US$58.21 billion. Thanks to exports growing faster than imports, the trade balance shifted to a surplus of US$1.27 billion, after nine consecutive months of trade deficit.
Overall, in the first nine months, total import and export turnover reached 888.02 billion USD, an increase of over 30% compared to the same period last year. Exports increased by 24.5%, while imports surged by 36.7%, resulting in a trade deficit of 19.42 billion USD.
Export momentum continues to come primarily from the processed industrial goods group, accounting for 90.4% of total export turnover in the first nine months.
Thirty-five product categories achieved export turnover exceeding $1 billion, accounting for 94.3% of total export turnover, of which seven product categories exceeded $10 billion, representing over 70%. Electronics, computers, and components continued to be the largest export item, with turnover exceeding $123 billion. Machinery, equipment, tools, spare parts, and telephones and components also maintained a large export volume.
The foreign-invested sector continues to account for the majority of export turnover, with a share of over 80%. Meanwhile, exports from the domestic economic sector are growing at a slower pace.
The United States continues to be Vietnam's largest export market, while China is its largest source of imports. Vietnam maintains a large trade surplus with the United States and the EU, but a significant trade deficit with China, South Korea, and ASEAN.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thi-truong-noi-dia-tang-toc-xuat-sieu-tro-lai-trong-thang-9-1759325.html
