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Fiscal Discipline and Revenue Breakthrough Under Strong Leadership
Vietnam’s historic budget surpluses in 2024–2025 and early 2026 reflect not only strong economic growth but also a decisive shift in fiscal governance under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam. His administration has emphasised discipline, efficiency, and enforcement, resulting in a structural improvement in the state budget balance.
Two key drivers stand out:
1. Effective Expenditure Rationalisation
Regular expenditures have been tightened through stricter controls on administrative spending, including limits on conferences, official travel, vehicle procurement, and other non-essential costs. At the same time, the anti-corruption campaign has intensified, targeting misuse of public funds and reinforcing accountability across government agencies.
This stronger fiscal discipline has significantly improved budget utilisation efficiency and reduced leakages that historically weighed on public finances.
2. Revenue Enhancement Through Stronger Enforcement
While Vietnam’s exceptional 8.02% GDP growth in 2025, record exports (approximately USD 480–500 bn), and robust FDI disbursement naturally expanded the tax base, stricter tax enforcement has played a crucial role.
Authorities have stepped up oversight of tax compliance, particularly in areas historically prone to underreporting, such as real estate transactions and small-scale business activities, including e-commerce. Enhanced monitoring, audits, and enforcement actions have improved compliance and reduced tax leakage without introducing new tax burdens.
The combination of strong macroeconomic performance and improved tax administration has led to a substantial, structural increase in budget revenues.
Structural Turning Point for Vietnam
The consecutive budget surpluses mark a historic turning point after decades of fiscal deficits. For investors, this development strengthens Vietnam’s sovereign balance sheet, enhances macro stability, supports currency resilience, and provides greater fiscal space for infrastructure and strategic investment.
Together, disciplined spending and improved revenue collection lay a solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth and reinforce confidence in Vietnam’s economic management.
At the end of February 2026, the fund’s largest positions were: Minh Phu Seafood Corp (9.8%) – a seafood company, Agriculture Bank Insurance (7.2%) – an insurance company, TNG Investment and Trading JSC (6.3%) – an apparel manufacturer, Lam Dong Minerals and Building Materials (6.2%) – a building material supplier, and Phu Tai JSC (6.1%) – a home and office furnishings company.
The portfolio was invested in 34 names and held 4.3% in cash. The sectors with the largest allocation of assets were consumer (42.1%) and financials (35.3%). The fund's estimated weighted harmonic average trailing 12 months P/E ratio (only companies with profit) was 9.79x, the estimated weighted harmonic average P/B ratio was 1.38x, and the estimated weighted average portfolio dividend yield was 3.79%. The fund’s portfolio carbon footprint is 2.04 tons per USD 1 mn invested.
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