On January 6, 2026, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Department of Foreign Market Development holds a conference to review its 2025 performance and outline tasks for 2026. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang attends and delivers a keynote address. Leaders of relevant departments, agencies, institutes and units are also present.

A significant contribution to GDP growth

According to Do Quoc Hung, Acting Director-General of the Department of Foreign Market Development, 2025 closes with many notable milestones for Vietnam’s economy. It is not only the final year of the 2021 - 2025 Socio-Economic Development Plan, but also a year of acceleration, creating momentum for the 2026 - 2030 period, which places higher demands on growth quality, competitiveness and sustainability.

Under the leadership of the Party, the State and the Government, Vietnam’s macroeconomic picture in 2025 records many bright spots. GDP grows by 8.02%, total import-export turnover reaches USD 930 billion, up 18.2% year on year; and the trade surplus stands at USD 20 billion. Vietnam continues to post a trade surplus for the 10th consecutive year since 2016, contributing significantly to a stable supply of foreign currency, easing pressure on the exchange rate and strengthening national foreign exchange reserves.

At the same time, the number of export items with turnover exceeding USD 1 billion rises rapidly, from 10 items in 2007 to 30 in 2019, increasing to 33 in 2023 and 36 in 2024. In 2025, Vietnam maintains 36 export items with turnover above USD 1 billion, including eight items exceeding USD 10 billion, accounting for 70.2% of total exports.

Export markets also continue to expand. The number of markets with export turnover exceeding USD 1 billion increases from 27 in 2013 to 31 in 2018, 34 in 2022 and 35 in 2024.

Within these overall achievements, the role of the Ministry of Industry and Trade particularly the Department of Foreign Market Development is clearly demonstrated through its proactive advisory work and the coordinated implementation of market development solutions amid global volatility.

In 2025, the Department works closely with Vietnam’s trade offices abroad to closely monitor political, economic and trade developments in key markets, especially conflict hotspots, major policy shifts and developments related to the imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the United States.

Based on timely information, the Department proactively advises the Ministry on appropriate response options, protecting national interests while helping businesses mitigate risks. Notably, efforts to lobby the US to delay reciprocal tariffs and move toward negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement are carried out in a structured and substantive manner. To date, the two sides hold five negotiation rounds, with the Department actively involved in developing negotiation plans and content, aiming to build a balanced, fair and sustainable trade relationship.

Alongside addressing immediate issues, expanding and diversifying markets continue to be identified as a long-term strategic task. In 2025, the Department of Foreign Market Development actively coordinates with relevant units to encourage partners to launch negotiations on new trade agreements.

Key outcomes include Vietnam and Pakistan signing a Joint Statement to launch negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement in October 2025, and MERCOSUR officially agreeing to initiate PTA negotiations with Vietnam in December 2025. These moves not only open up new market opportunities but also help reduce reliance on traditional markets and enhance the economy’s resilience to external shocks.

Creating opportunities and expanding export markets

Alongside market opening, removing trade barriers is a key focus. In 2025, the Department coordinates with functional units and international partners, especially the EU to advocate appropriate implementation roadmaps for new regulations related to sustainability, environmental protection and green transition. At the same time, it actively promotes technical and financial support programs to help domestic enterprises and regulatory agencies promptly adapt to new standards.

In terms of protecting business interests, coordination in handling trade remedy cases, technical barriers, and efforts to address the IUU “yellow card” continue to be implemented vigorously, underscoring the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s role as a coordinating focal point in international economic integration.

Another highlight of the Department’s activities in 2025 is the effective use of bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms. Through Intergovernmental Committees, Joint Committees, Sub-Committees and FTA implementation mechanisms, the Department proactively raises trade-related bottlenecks for discussion and negotiation, thereby creating more favorable conditions for businesses on both sides. This reflects a practical approach that places business interests at the center of integration efforts.

The implementation and effective utilization of free trade agreements also continue to be strengthened. The Department focuses on disseminating information and guiding enterprises on how to take advantage of FTA preferences, while coordinating to resolve issues arising during implementation. These efforts contribute to improving the investment and business environment and enhancing Vietnam’s attractiveness to international investors.

In addition, the preparation of thematic reports, market information publications, and the organization of conferences, seminars and market introduction videos continue to serve as effective support channels, helping enterprises access information in a timely and intuitive manner, particularly for markets under frameworks such as the CPTPP and the UKFTA.

According to Do Quoc Hung, as Vietnam enters 2026, the first year of a new development phase he achievements of 2025 not only provide a foundation for creating new development opportunities, but also set higher requirements for the Ministry of Industry and Trade in general, and for foreign market development work in particular.