Urbanization Growth in Vietnam from 1990 to 2023

Vietnam’s urban population rose significantly from 20.3% in 1990 to 39.5% in 2023, driven by economic reforms and industrialization. The 1990s saw steady urban migration as the Đổi Mới reforms transformed Vietnam’s economy, spurring growth in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Urbanization accelerated in the 2000s as Vietnam’s manufacturing sector expanded, creating jobs that attracted rural residents. By 2023, urbanization reached 39.5% as cities continued to develop, benefiting from foreign investment and infrastructure projects, which fueled further migration to urban areas and strengthened Vietnam’s economic position in the region.