The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is set to host the 2025 Vietnam - US Trade Forum on December 10 in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Department of Overseas Markets. The event will be held under the theme “30 years of economic and trade cooperation - Overcoming challenges, entering a new era.”

The forum will bring together over 300 delegates, including leaders from various ministries, sectors, and local authorities; business communities and associations from both Vietnam and the US; major retailers, importers, and logistics firms; representatives from the US Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham); as well as experts, scholars, and media agencies.

According to the Department of Overseas Markets, in the three decades since the normalization of relations (1995-2025), Vietnam - US economic and trade cooperation has witnessed robust growth, anchored by key milestones as the 2000 Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), Vietnam’s accession to the WTO in 2007, the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, and ongoing efforts toward a fair and balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement in 2025.

Consequently, bilateral trade has surged more than 330-fold, reaching USD 149.5 billion in 2024. This figure underscores the deep integration of supply chains and the pivotal role of the US market for Vietnamese exports.

Many experts project that 2026 will serve as a pivotal year for reshaping bilateral trade ties, ushering in a new era of cooperation. As such, the Vietnam - US Trade Forum is positioned as a multidimensional and comprehensive platform for dialogue among policymakers, businesses, experts, and stakeholders invested in the trade relationship between the two nations.

Marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1995 - 2025), the event offers a critical opportunity to reflect on past achievements, identify challenges within the current context, and chart a course for sustainable future cooperation.

Notably, the forum aims to provide timely and multifaceted updates regarding trade policy adjustments under the second term of US President Donald Trump. These insights are intended to equip businesses with the information needed to proactively adapt, safeguard supply chains, and sustain growth, thereby stepping firmly into a new era of more substantive, extensive, and effective cooperation.

Furthermore, the forum is expected to unlock new networking opportunities, promoting cooperation in investment and trade, technology transfer, innovation, and the development of a high-quality workforce.