Increasing domestic demand for goods, services, and tourism, especially during major national holidays, and a surge in international tourist arrivals in Vietnam have substantially contributed to the trade and service sector's growth in September and the first nine months of this year, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
Specifically, total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue were estimated at 598.7 trillion VND (22.7 billion USD) in September, up 2% month-on-month, and 11.3% from the same period last year.
Of the total, revenue from apparel rose by 15.2% year-on-year; food by 13.8%; cultural and educational products by 11.4%; household appliances, tools, and equipment by 10.0%; accommodation and catering services by 15.0%; and tourism services by 19.7%.
For the first nine months of 2025, total retail sales and service revenue recorded a solid increase of 9.5% year-on-year to over 5.17 quadrillion VND. Excluding the price factor, the growth rate was 7.2%, compared to a 5.8% rise in the same period last year.
Retail sales of goods in the period were estimated at nearly 3.95 quadrillion VND, up 8.3% from a year earlier. By category, sales of food increased by 10.3%; apparel by 8.2%; cultural and educational products by 8.1%; and household appliances, tools, and equipment by 6.7%.
Major cities recorded high year-on-year growth, including Da Nang (9.4%), Can Tho (8.8%), Ha Noi (8.4%), and Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong (both 8.3%).
The nine-month tourism revenue stood at 69.6 trillion VND, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.5%, while that from accommodation and food services was estimated at 624.4 trillion VND, up 14.8%. Other services earned about 534.1 trillion VND, picking up 12.1%.
The results of the first nine months show that domestic consumer demand continues to be a key driver of economic growth. With the peak season for shopping, tourism, and year-end festivals approaching, total retail sales and service revenue in the fourth quarter are expected to continue rising strongly, helping to sustain the recovery momentum and boost GDP growth for the whole year, said the National Statistics Office.
