Can Tho exports and tourism rise in 2026

Goods exports reached more than $3.14 billion, up 13.2% from a year earlier, while foreign-currency earning services added nearly $960 million, up 14%, according to the city’s economic report. Imports also climbed 16.2% to $962.1 million, reflecting stronger demand for raw materials, machinery and equipment for production.

The city’s merchandise trade surplus remained solid because exports were far larger than imports. For investors and companies tied to the region’s logistics, agriculture, processing and tourism chains, that is a sign of resilience in domestic consumption and overseas demand, especially as Can Tho leans on its role as a regional commercial hub.

Tourism provided another lift. Can Tho welcomed more than 10.5 million visitors in the first eight months, up 22% year on year, with tourism revenue rising 27.8% to 9.3 trillion dong. International arrivals and overnight stays also increased, a positive for hotels, transport, retail and food services that depend on visitor spending.

But the investment picture is less uniform. Total realized capital from the state budget fell 26.4% from a year earlier, with several key projects advancing slowly because of land clearance, materials shortages and construction-cost swings. That leaves infrastructure delivery as a near-term risk for businesses that need better roads and public services to scale.

At the same time, new company formation held up, with 2,979 firms registered in eight months and total registered capital rising 26.5%. The city still faces churn, however, as voluntary dissolutions jumped sharply, even as more firms returned to operation.

The next test is whether stronger exports and tourism can offset soft public investment and keep the city’s growth momentum intact into year-end, especially if materials bottlenecks continue to slow major transport projects.