Informally, the geographically southern region appears to be the “richest”, followed by northern and central - based on contribution to the national GDP!
Formally, Vietnam economy is planned and monitored as being 8 administrative regions (Southeast, Red River Delta, Mekong River Delta, Northeast, Northwest, North Central Coast, South Central Coast, Central Highlands) and 3 Key Economic Zones of Northern, Central and Southern (Northern KEZ: Hanoi City, Hung Yen, Hai Phong City, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Ha Tay, Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc, Central KEZ: Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Da Nang City, Southern KEZ: Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc and Long An).
As such, the General Statistics Office of Vietnam issues detailed statistics for 8 administrative regions or 100% of economy and 3 KEZ’s or only 85% of economy - not what often associated with 3 geographical areas, populations of northern, central and southern!
