Experts say the target growth rate of 6.6 to 6.8% for 2019 set by the National Assembly is feasible. They also said the GDP target was likely to be surpassed due to opportunities from the US-China trade war.

Experts said Vietnam achieved socio-economic targets for 2018 following the success in the previous year. The Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research estimated the economic growth rate at 6.9%, higher than the target set for 2019 and approved by the National Assembly. Trade and investment activities are expected to boom together with the official approval of free trade agreements. Additionally, the ongoing US-China trade war dragging many Western firms away from Chinese supply chains has offered great opportunities for those from Vietnam. However, the country needs to improve its business climate, legislature and labour quality to grow sustainably, experts said.-VNA