Vietnam’s exports maintain strong momentum, with seven key items surpassing USD 10 billion

Vietnam’s trade performance continued to shine in 2025. Preliminary customs data showed the country’s import-export turnover reached over USD 39 billion in the first half of September, lifting the total to more than USD 637 billion since the beginning of the year. Exports hit USD 325.26 billion, while imports stood at USD 311.95 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 13.31 billion. This milestone reinforced Vietnam’s decade-long streak of maintaining a positive trade balance.

Traditional markets such as the United States, China, the European Union, South Korea and ASEAN all posted notable growth. Shipments to the U.S. rose 26.4%, while those to China grew 9.2%, reflecting the resilience of Vietnamese enterprises in global supply chains.

As many as 29 export items exceeded USD 1 billion, with seven surpassing USD 10 billion. Electronics, computers and components; mobile phones; machinery and equipment; textiles; and footwear remained the top contributors. Overall export growth reached over 15% by mid-September, driven largely by stronger penetration into the U.S. and other major markets.

In wood products, exports rose 6.5% to USD 11.1 billion in the first eight months, according to Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association Chairman Phung Quoc Man. He stressed the need for the sector to shift from low-value products like wood chips to higher-value furniture, build brands, and leverage e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba.

The textile and garment sector recorded USD 30.7 billion in exports over the same period and is on track to meet its USD 48 billion annual target. However, Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association Vice Chairman Tran Nhu Tung noted that the industry faces pressing challenges in green transition, digital transformation, and compliance with stringent rules of origin under free trade agreements such as EVFTA and CPTPP.

Despite short-term fluctuations, experts believe the 15% export growth in the first nine months well above the 12% target will ensure that annual goals are met, barring major external shocks.

Three pillars for sustainable export growth

At the 3rd Vietnam Economic Forum, Nguyen Cam Trang, Deputy Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized three pillars for long-term export development: supply, demand, and export organization.

On the supply side, production must remain stable with quality goods that meet international standards. On the demand side, diversifying markets and partners is essential. For export organization, improvements in trade promotion, branding, and institutional reforms will create a more favorable environment for businesses.

Trang highlighted economic diplomacy as a key driver, alongside better utilization of FTAs. She cautioned that enterprises must strictly adhere to rules of origin to benefit from tariff preferences. Negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada FTA are expected to provide more flexible rules of origin, helping firms secure materials more easily.

Institutional reform is also critical. Recent Party resolutions require government agencies to actively address legal bottlenecks rather than deflect responsibility. The Ministry of Industry and Trade and other ministries are revising regulations to provide clearer, more business-friendly frameworks.

Still, three bottlenecks logistics costs, infrastructure, and skilled labor must be resolved to sustain growth. The government has directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to expand export markets and stabilize traditional partners while pursuing new ones.

With exports targeted to grow 12% in 2025 and a tenth consecutive year of trade surplus expected, Vietnam is positioning itself as a reliable node in global supply chains.