Is Vietnam Becoming the New Thailand? Southeast Asia’s growth story shifts as Hanoi edges ahead

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Vietnam’s sudden rise as a regional export powerhouse is rewriting the Southeast Asia growth script, and Thailand now faces a reality check about its long-held status as the premier value creator in the region. In a world where global demand has swung between booms and slowdowns, Vietnam has shown resilience by expanding exports, posting healthy current account surpluses, and courting far-reaching investment in electronics and higher-value manufacturing. For Thai readers, the implications are practical: supply chains, jobs, and public policy may tilt toward a more multipolar regional economy where Vietnam’s gains are hard to ignore, even as Thai leaders seek ways to sustain growth through diversification.

Exportgrowth on MyThaiSpot

Is Vietnam Becoming the New Thailand? Southeast Asia’s growth story shifts as Hanoi edges ahead