Vietnam’s digital economy GMV projected to reach US$49 billion in 2026
E-commerce leads the expansion, while digital lending balances rise 34 per cent and Vietnam records 45 million generative AI users.
Vietnam’s digital economy is forecast to generate US$49 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2026, a 20 per cent annual increase. The projection comes from the e-Conomy SEA 2026 report, published on November 5 by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company.
E-commerce accounts for two-thirds of the digital economy, with GMV growing 22 per cent to US$32 billion in 2026 and on course for US$61 billion by 2030, according to the report. It said platforms were using AI to improve consumer targeting and purchase conversion, while helping sellers with tasks such as product listings.
Online travel GMV reached US$5 billion after expanding 15 per cent, putting Vietnam alongside Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets for the sector. Online media GMV increased 17 per cent to US$7 billion in 2026, while mobility and food also rose 17 per cent, reaching US$6 billion.
In financial services, digital lending balances climbed 34 per cent to US$14 billion. The report identified lending as the fastest-growing digital segment in both Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Digital payments recorded gross transaction value of US$197 billion, up 21 per cent, and were on track for US$302 billion by 2030.
The report also counted 45 million generative AI users in Vietnam, equivalent to 65 per cent of its working population. Two in five users engaged with AI daily, the highest rate in Southeast Asia. AI was the starting point for 44 per cent of consumer journeys, while four in five users expressed willingness to let AI agents make purchases.
