Spatial spillover effect of the enterprise sector on local residents’ income in Vietnam

Abstract This study uses a panel data set from all 63 provinces in Vietnam and spatial regression models to investigate the spatial spillover effect of the enterprise sector on local residents’ income. The results show that expanding the enterprise sector can directly and indirectly increase local income. Although this spillover effect is positive and significant, it is smaller than the direct effect and gradually diminishes when the distance between provinces increases. For example, the estimation results applying the spatial Durbin model holding other variables constant show that a 10% increase in the enterprise capital volume in Ho Chi Minh City can raise local total income in this city, and first- and second-order neighbours by 0.53%, 0.22%, and 0.17%, respectively. This study provides novel evidence on the spatial spillover effect of the enterprise sector on local incomes using spatial econometric models. The findings offer valuable information for policymakers in planning enterprise sector development to improve local residents’ income in Vietnam.