By the end of 2025, two-way trade between Vietnam and Japan had surpassed the USD 50 billion mark, reaffirming Japan’s position as one of the most stable and important markets for Vietnamese goods. On this occasion, Newspaper of Industry and Trade spoke with Ta Duc Minh, Trade Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan, about bilateral trade performance and prospects ahead.

Strong trade momentum

Despite unprecedented challenges, Vietnam’s macroeconomic landscape in 2025 recorded many bright spots, with total import-export turnover reaching USD 930 billion, up 18.2% year-on-year. Within this broader picture, Vietnam - Japan trade emerged as a notable highlight. Could you elaborate on bilateral trade developments over the past year?

Trade Counselor Ta Duc Minh: In 2025, Vietnam - Japan trade relations continued to post positive results, marking an important milestone as total two-way trade turnover exceeded USD 50 billion for the first time. This figure is not only historically significant but also reflects substantive and sustainable growth in economic cooperation between the two countries, especially against the backdrop of ongoing global economic volatility.

According to data from the Vietnam Customs Authority, total Vietnam - Japan trade in 2025 reached more than USD 51.43 billion, an increase of 11.28% compared with 2024. Vietnam’s exports to Japan amounted to USD 26.77 billion, up 8.77%, while imports from Japan reached USD 24.68 billion, up 14.13%.

Vietnam continued to record a trade surplus of USD 2.09 billion with Japan, reaffirming Japan’s role as one of the most stable and important markets for Vietnamese goods.

Growth in bilateral trade was driven by the simultaneous expansion of both exports and imports, clearly demonstrating the complementary nature of the two economies and their close integration within regional and global supply chains. On the export side, Vietnam’s key product groups to Japan maintained solid growth momentum, particularly higher value-added goods and agricultural, forestry and fishery products.

In 2025, textile and garment exports reached USD 4.595 billion; transport vehicles and parts USD 3.287 billion; and wood and wood products USD 2.153 billion, posting a strong increase of 23.33%. Notably, several agricultural products recorded impressive growth, with coffee up 46.57%, cashew nuts up 34.72%, and pepper up 25.90%. These results reflect Vietnamese enterprises’ improving capacity to meet Japan’s stringent technical standards and quality requirements.

On the import side, Vietnam continued to increase purchases of computers, electronic products and components, valued at USD 8.347 billion, as well as machinery, equipment and spare parts worth USD 4.886 billion. Together, these two categories accounted for nearly 54% of Vietnam’s total imports from Japan.

This underscores Japan’s role as a key supplier of technology, equipment and essential inputs for Vietnam’s domestic production and export-oriented manufacturing. Vietnam - Japan trade surpassing the USD 50 billion threshold in 2025 stands as a clear testament to the depth and effectiveness of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Diversifying export products

What have been the key drivers behind these positive trade outcomes?

Trade Counselor Ta Duc Minh: These achievements are closely linked to the strategic guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in advancing Vietnam - Japan economic and trade relations.

Through negotiating and effectively implementing free trade agreements such as VJEPA, CPTPP and RCEP, developing policies to help enterprises fully utilize tariff preferences, and providing clear orientation for key export sectors, the Ministry has laid an important foundation for businesses in both countries to expand cooperation and integrate more deeply into regional and global value chains.

Based on this overarching direction, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan has continued to play a direct and practical bridging role between the business communities of the two countries.

In 2025, the Trade Office coordinated and supported Vietnamese enterprises in participating in numerous large-scale trade and investment promotion events, including Foodex Japan 2025, the M-Tech Manufacturing Exhibition, the Gift Show, DIY Show, textile and garment exhibitions, construction materials and interior decoration exhibitions, as well as Vietnam Festivals in Tokyo and Kanagawa.

At the same time, the Trade Office facilitated Japanese business delegations’ visits to Vietnam to attend events such as the Vietnam International Sourcing Expo (VIS), Food Expo and other seasonal trade fairs. Market surveys, investment opportunity assessments and direct business matchmaking activities were also organized in sectors including manufacturing, logistics, food processing, supporting industries, materials and consumer goods.

These activities not only contributed to higher trade turnover but also helped enterprises deepen their understanding of market dynamics, technical standards and consumer trends, thereby fostering long-term and sustainable cooperation.

Looking ahead to 2026, Vietnam - Japan trade will face both opportunities and challenges. What support measures will the Trade Office implement to assist businesses in both countries?

Trade Counselor Ta Duc Minh: In 2026, to help drive breakthrough growth in Vietnam - Japan bilateral trade, the Trade Office will proactively monitor and analyze developments that may affect trade with Vietnam. This will enable timely policy recommendations to the Government and Ministry leadership, as well as early warnings for the business community.

We will continue to intensify trade promotion efforts and diversify export products for the Japanese market, expand market outreach in Japan, and invite Japanese business delegations to participate in trade promotion activities in Vietnam.

In addition, we will support enterprises in enhancing competitiveness by providing updated market information, technical standards and import regulations. Assistance will also be offered to Vietnamese firms in brand building and product marketing in Japan, including identifying reliable distribution partners and connecting with appropriate retail channels.

Efforts to attract high-quality Japanese investment will continue, with a focus on improving the investment environment. This includes simplifying administrative procedures, particularly investment licensing processes to reduce burdens on businesses; enhancing the legal framework to ensure transparency, predictability and consistency; and promptly addressing issues faced by Japanese enterprises operating in Vietnam. Priority will be given to attracting foreign direct investment into high value-added sectors and supporting industries.

Capacity development in supporting industries will also be strengthened through cooperation and funding for technical assistance programs and high-quality workforce training. Technology transfer and R&D collaboration between enterprises of the two countries will be encouraged to enhance production capabilities and meet Japan’s stringent technical standards.

At the same time, bilateral cooperation mechanisms will be reinforced through the maintenance of high-level dialogues to address bottlenecks, shape strategic cooperation priorities and further consolidate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Cooperation will also be expanded in areas such as digital transformation, the green economy, clean energy and logistics, in line with the sustainable development and high-tech orientations of both countries.

With the close coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the direct support of the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan, and the proactive engagement of the business community, Vietnam - Japan trade and investment cooperation is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory, making tangible contributions to the economic development of both nations.

In 2025, total Vietnam - Japan import-export turnover reached more than USD 51.43 billion, up 11.28% from 2024. Vietnam’s exports to Japan amounted to USD 26.77 billion, up 8.77%, while imports from Japan reached USD 24.68 billion, up 14.13%. Vietnam maintained a trade surplus of USD 2.09 billion with Japan, reaffirming Japan’s role as one of the most stable and important markets for Vietnamese goods.