Diversifying markets and export products

On the morning of September 9, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) convened its August trade promotion meeting with Vietnam’s trade offices abroad, under the theme of diversifying export markets and products as well as import supply sources, aiming to accelerate import-export turnover in 2025.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien chaired the conference, which was attended by leaders of provincial Departments of Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Environment, and Finance; heads of MoIT departments and agencies; more than 58 Vietnamese trade offices worldwide; as well as representatives of trade associations, promotion organizations, and relevant ministries including Agriculture and Environment, Finance, and Foreign Affairs.

Speaking at the event, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien stressed the crucial importance of the meeting, as the economy targets GDP growth of 8.3-8.5% in 2025, laying the foundation for double-digit growth from 2026 onward.

He noted that global complexities rising geopolitical competition, trade conflicts, protectionism, and regional wars disrupting supply chains are pushing many economies into recession. Even within the region, major partners such as Thailand, Japan, and South Korea are adjusting policies, reflecting unpredictable global shifts. Domestically, Vietnam has streamlined its apparatus, merged administrative boundaries, and introduced a two-tier local government model, creating heavy workloads but also opportunities for more efficient governance.

Despite challenges, Vietnam’s economy maintained positive growth in the first eight months of 2025, with monthly growth accelerating to 2.2-2.4%. Yet, the pressure to meet the high growth target remains enormous.

“In the context of new tariff policies from the U.S and other countries, our responsibilities are heavier than ever. With just over three months left in the year, the entire sector must strive to meet and surpass the national average targets,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said.

Exports identified as a spearhead

Minister Dien emphasized that domestic market space is reaching its limit, so exports must be considered the spearhead of growth not only in traditional destinations but also in new and potential markets.

The meeting aimed to comprehensively assess past performance by region and market, forecast upcoming trends, and propose concrete tasks and solutions to boost imports and exports, mobilize domestic resources, and contribute to overall growth.

Reports from trade offices and associations highlighted production and trade results from the first eight months, scenarios for year-end growth, and solutions for diversifying export markets and products as well as import supply sources for 2025.2026. Industry associations also shared challenges in expanding and diversifying Vietnam’s trade networks.

At the conference, representatives of industry associations... also pointed out the difficulties and challenges in developing and diversifying import-export markets...