The Central Steering Committee for the 2026 Economic Census has reassigned responsibilities to ministries, sectors and local steering committees, urging close coordination nationwide to ensure results will be announced no later than June 30.

Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang, who heads the Central
Steering Committee for the 2026 Economic Census, was quoted on February 23 by
the Vietnam News Agency as affirming that initial results of the census will be
announced on June 30, 2026, seven months earlier than originally scheduled.

Under the revised plan, stages of information collection,
data consolidation and preparation of the preliminary report will all be
accelerated, Minister Thang stressed.

However, he noted that the adjustment of the plan must be
implemented in a concerted and resolute manner, ensuring that faster progress
goes hand in hand with the quality and credibility of the data.

Originally slated for completion by late 2026 or early 2027,
the census timeline has been reviewed and recalibrated to meet the requirement
for earlier data release. The Central Steering Committee has reassigned
responsibilities to ministries, sectors and local steering committees, urging
close coordination nationwide to ensure results are finalized and announced no
later than June 30.

The National Statistics Office was tasked with revising both
the overall and detailed implementation plans, finalizing survey materials and
software, and providing timely guidance to ministries and localities. It will
continue to monitor progress, assess data quality, and promptly report
challenges to the minister and the Central Steering Committee. Inspection and
supervision of field data collection will be strengthened to safeguard both
schedule and accuracy.

Notably, the 2026 Economic Census introduces several new
features. It expands coverage to include cooperative groups and household
businesses operating online – two categories not previously surveyed. Survey
content has also been updated to better capture digital transformation, the
application of scientific and technological advances, and innovation in
production and business activities.

Information technology will be applied throughout all stages
of the census, from preparation and collection to processing and validation.
Artificial intelligence will assist in industry classification, while digital
mapping tools will track real-time progress. Data connectivity between the
census and administrative databases, such as business registration, taxation
and customs, will also be enhanced.

The census will comprehensively collect information on
enterprises, household businesses, religious establishments, non-public service
units, associations and licensed foreign non-governmental organizations
operating in Vietnam.

The results will serve as a foundation for building a
national socio-economic database aligned with new provincial and commune-level
administrative boundaries, supporting governance, management and oversight in
the country’s new development phase.

As of February 9, data collection for the first phase, which
covers household production and business establishments, religious and belief
establishments, and cooperative groups had reached 57.6% nationwide, with
several provinces recording high completion rates. However, authorities
acknowledged uneven progress across localities and challenges in encouraging
some business owners to fully disclose financial information.

The on-site data collection period for the first phase will
be shortened to 20 days, concluding on March 10. Meanwhile, in the second phase
which covers enterprises, non-public service units, associations, and licensed
foreign non-governmental organizations operating in Vietnam, the data
collection period will be reduced by four months compared to the original plan,
commencing on March 1 and concluding on April 30.

Despite the accelerated schedule, Minister Thang reiterated
that the census must uphold strict standards of accuracy, while streamlining
unnecessary indicators to avoid wastefulness and ensure practical value.

VNA-Van Nguyen