Proactively managing risks and meeting market standards

The conference was attended and directed by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, underscoring the Government leadership’s attention to inter-agency coordination in advancing international trade.

The meeting was held in both in-person and online formats with Vietnam Trade Offices around the world and was chaired by Acting Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung. The event was organized under the theme: “Solutions to promote foreign trade development contributing to GDP growth targets in 2026.”

The conference is one of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s decisive administrative actions to realize the goal of export growth of 15 - 16% compared with 2025, with projected export turnover reaching approximately USD 546 - 550 billion, contributing to the implementation of the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP.

The first-quarter conference in 2026 went beyond a routine briefing and marked new progress in approaches to supporting enterprises. A key highlight was the launch of the Digital Platform for Overseas Market Development, representing a breakthrough in the application of technology to provide timely and accurate market information for the business community.

Within the framework of the conference, ministries, industry associations, enterprises and localities discussed solutions to achieve the export growth target of 15 - 16%, equivalent to export turnover of USD 546 - 550 billion.

Recognizing that logistics has a significant impact on import - export activities, experts from the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) noted that tensions in the Middle East are creating three layers of major risks for Vietnamese enterprises: Energy - Logistics  Foreign exchange (FX).

Specifically, Ngo Khac Le, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, pointed out that first, disruptions to strategic shipping routes could push up oil and fuel prices, leading to rising transportation costs.

Second, shipping lines may reroute vessels, impose surcharges, or extend delivery times, increasing logistics costs and affecting companies’ delivery schedules.

Third, amid geopolitical instability, the US dollar often strengthens, exposing importers to exchange-rate risks as most freight charges, fuel, and international insurance are paid in USD.

According to Ngo Khac Le, in such circumstances, Vietnamese import - export and logistics enterprises need to closely monitor market developments, set aside contingency costs, and proactively manage risks in transportation and commercial contracts.

As the risk of supply chain disruptions could spread across multiple international transport routes, businesses should adopt long-term preventive measures. Enterprises should review transportation contracts and bills of lading, particularly clauses related to war risks or deviation clauses that allow vessels to alter routes.

In addition, companies should strengthen insurance coverage across their logistics chains and consider expanding protection against risks arising from geopolitical instability.

Another key solution is to diversify shipping routes and transshipment ports to avoid dependence on a single route or carrier.

At the conference, representatives from Vietnam Trade Offices in key markets such as the US, China, the EU, the UAE, Indonesia, and Brazil provided updates on geopolitical developments, particularly the impact of tensions in the Middle East on logistics costs and energy security.

Representatives from industry associations, including textiles and garments, footwear, seafood, and logistics along with local authorities, also discussed growth drivers for trade in various sectors and regions, while proposing coordination mechanisms with Vietnam Trade Offices to support enterprises in overcoming challenges and expanding markets.

Flexible export management, market “KPIs” for trade officesSharing solutions for export management in 2026 and proposing specific tasks for trade offices to help achieve the export growth target of 15 - 16%, Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Agency of Foreign Trade, stated that Vietnam’s import - export landscape in the first two months of 2026 has continued to show positive signals, laying an important foundation for achieving double-digit export growth throughout the year.

According to compiled data, Vietnam’s export turnover in the first two months of the year reached USD 76.39 billion, up 18.3% year-on-year, exceeding the Government’s target of 15 - 16% export growth for 2026. Exports maintained growth across most major markets.

To sustain export momentum in 2026, the Agency of Foreign Trade proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade continue closely monitoring global trade developments while coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to implement flexible policy measures.

Accordingly, the Ministry will coordinate with ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Vietnamand the Ministry of Construction to deploy synchronized solutions to support production and export activities.

One important proposal is to strengthen the role of Vietnam Trade Offices abroad in promoting exports. According to Son, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will study assigning specific key performance indicators (KPIs) to each trade office based on regional markets.

These trade offices will work with the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and relevant units to support businesses in finding partners, expanding markets, and effectively leveraging free trade agreements.

In addition to government measures, the Agency of Foreign Trade also recommended that industry associations and exporting enterprises enhance risk management capabilities in international trade. Associations should increase the provision of market information to their members, particularly warnings regarding changes in trade policies, technical standards, and trade barriers.

In the context of continued volatility in global trade, maintaining export growth has been identified as one of the key priorities for the industry and trade sector in 2026. To achieve the 15 - 16% export growth target, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is implementing a range of synchronized solutions, with trade promotion activities and the role of Vietnam Trade Offices abroad regarded as critical factors.

Assessing the effectiveness of recent trade promotion activities, Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that programs connecting enterprises, industry associations, and localities with Vietnam Trade Offices have delivered positive results in helping businesses expand their markets.

“We hope to continue strengthening cooperation with the network of trade offices to effectively implement trade promotion activities, thereby contributing to the export growth target for 2026,” he emphasized.

To sustain and accelerate export growth in the coming period, the agency believes it is necessary to continue enhancing trade promotion activities in key markets.

Among export promotion solutions, maintaining the presence of Vietnamese enterprises at major international trade fairs and specialized exhibitions remains an important channel. Through such events, businesses can not only promote their products but also expand partner networks and gradually enhance the image and position of Vietnamese goods in global markets.

In addition to consolidating traditional markets, identifying new growth drivers for exports should also be prioritized, particularly through the development of new product categories and the expansion of consumption markets.

In this process, cooperation among the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, industry associations, and the network of Vietnam Trade Offices abroad will play an important role in helping enterprises access potential markets.

He noted that proactively identifying market opportunities, diversifying export products, and strengthening trade connections will help create additional room for export growth in the time ahead.

In particular, with close coordination among government agencies, the network of trade offices, and the business community, trade promotion activities are expected to continue making an important contribution to expanding export markets and supporting the realization of the country’s export growth targets for 2026.

Through the Digital Platform for Overseas Market Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade expects to establish a comprehensive shared database that consolidates information from global markets, including socio-economic conditions, policies on trade, industry, energy, and investment, as well as trade and investment promotion programs and business networking opportunities.

This platform is expected to serve both policy advisory work related to overseas market development and as an important source of information to support enterprises and industry associations in orienting strategies and making informed decisions in their production and business activities.