Speaking at the September 9 conference on trade promotion with Vietnam’s overseas trade offices, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien highlighted that the country’s total import-export turnover in the first eight months of 2025 was estimated at nearly 600 billion USD, up 16.3% year on year. Exports alone reached 306 billion USD, an increase of 14.8%, surpassing the full-year target. The trade surplus of nearly 14 billion USD has contributed to macroeconomic stability.
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Workers produce apparel for export. |
However, behind these promising figures lie long-term challenges. Global uncertainties, ranging from geopolitical tensions and strategic competition among major powers to stricter U.S. trade policies and supply chain disruptions, could affect Vietnam, given its high economic openness. To achieve the 12% export growth target for 2025, Vietnam needs to secure at least 150 billion USD in the final four months, equivalent to more than 37.5 billion USD per month, a demanding task, he pointed out.
Minister Dien emphasized the need to categorize markets and implement targeted measures. For markets with export contraction, trade offices must quickly identify causes, restore orders, and remove barriers. In low-growth markets, the task is to boost exports by at least 8.5%. Shipments to medium-growth markets should maintain momentum and boost expansion to 12%, while high-growth markets must continue to be seen as growth engines with targeted rates of above 15%.
Beyond opening new markets, the minister underlined the importance of building business resilience. Enterprises were urged to engage in digital trade promotion, diversify supply chains and raw material sources, and invest in green technologies and traceability. Industry associations were called on to play a stronger role in connecting businesses, providing timely information, setting market orientations, and supporting members in brand building.
He also asked local authorities to be more proactive in supporting exporters, particularly by swiftly sharing updates from Vietnam’s trade offices abroad. This will help businesses adjust production and business plans in time to avoid being caught off guard by new barriers. Administrations of provinces and cities were urged to work closely with enterprises and industry associations to build sustainable supply chains, enhance value-added production, and meet strict international standards.
Authorities were also tasked with addressing difficulties facing exporters, especially in agriculture and fisheries, from credit access and production land to export procedures and quality certification. Inter-region linkages should be strengthened to develop internationally certified raw material areas that ensure traceability and green production. Localities were also encouraged to accelerate digital transformation in trade promotion and logistics, support businesses in cross-border e-commerce, and make greater use of logistics centers to cut costs and shorten delivery times.
At the conference, Trade Counsellor in China Nong Duc Lai underscored the need to improve the quality and traceability of agro-forestry-fishery products, invest in processing and preservation technology to boost added value, expand promotion in China’s northern and northwestern provinces with high demand for premium foods, and improve packaging to suit local preferences. He also stressed the importance of logistics and cold storage investment.
Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor in the U.S., suggested continuing trade agreement negotiations, coordinating to address impacts of new policies, and stepping up promotion and timely information provision. He urged advocacy for transitional mechanisms for aquatic products, greater transparency in sourcing and production processes in the timber industry, along with stronger early-warning measures on trade defense.
Trade Counsellor in the E.U. Tran Ngoc Quan noted that the E.U. is adjusting its trade policies in response to U.S. developments. However, the E.U. – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), with over 90% of tariffs already reduced to 0%, provides Vietnam with a major advantage to diversify markets, reduce reliance on the U.S., and expand its presence in Europe. Still, he warned of risks, including third-country goods using Vietnam to evade tariffs, tighter food safety checks, and the extension of safeguard measures on steel and alloys.
Quan cautioned that while Vietnam enjoys short-term benefits, in the long run, without green production and compliance with environmental standards, it will be difficult for Vietnamese goods to maintain their foothold in the market.
Source: VNA