Exports and Imports Continue to Be a Bright Spot of the Economy
With the current momentum of import–export activities, Vietnam’s total trade turnover in 2025 is expected to reach around USD 920 billion or higher, thereby placing the country among the world’s top 15 largest trading nations.
At the Government’s regular meeting for November 2025, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated that exports and imports continue to be a bright spot of the economy.
In November, total import–export turnover was estimated at approximately USD 77 billion. Although this figure declined compared to the previous month, it still represented a year-on-year increase of 15.6%. Cumulatively, as of November 30, total import–export turnover reached USD 840 billion, with a trade surplus of USD 20.53 billion.
According to the Minister of Industry and Trade, with the current momentum, Vietnam’s total trade turnover in 2025 could reach around USD 920 billion or higher, placing the country among the world’s top 15 economies in terms of trade scale.
Notably, despite the impact of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, exports to this market over the first 11 months still increased by 27%, thanks to previously secured orders, especially during the period from January to August, when tariffs had not yet been applied.
However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also noted that since the United States imposed tariffs (in August 2025), monthly export turnover has shown a declining trend. Specifically, August fell by 1.97% compared to September; September declined by 1.5%; October fell by 1.3%; and November dropped sharply by 7.1%. Nevertheless, compared to the same period last year, exports to the United States still recorded strong growth: August increased by 18.3%; September by 38.5%; October by 26.9%; and November by 23%.
To achieve the 2025 growth targets and lay the foundation for subsequent years, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien proposed continuing to remove difficulties and bottlenecks for enterprises in order to promote investment and production and business activities, especially in areas affected by storms and floods; and resolving obstacles related to administrative procedures, particularly difficulties arising from the two-tier local government model.
At the same time, it is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international economic integration; and to focus on supporting enterprises in effectively utilizing free trade agreements, traditional markets, and potential markets—especially those with high growth potential.
At the meeting, in directing solutions to promote exports, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that the Ministry of Industry and Trade take the lead in resolutely implementing measures to strongly boost consumption and exports, especially toward the end of the year and the beginning of the new year; continue diversifying products, markets, and supply chains; and accelerate negotiations to soon conclude FTAs with partners that have already made commitments (such as the GCC, Pakistan, Egypt, South America, etc.), striving to sign at least one agreement by the end of 2025.
At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was tasked with accelerating negotiations to open markets and achieve mutual recognition of food safety, thereby facilitating market access for Vietnam’s key fruit and vegetable products; and resolutely implementing solutions to remove the IUU “yellow card” within December 2025.
Assessing the import–export performance, economic expert Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang said that with an expected additional USD 80–100 billion in trade turnover in December, total import–export turnover for 2025 could reach approximately USD 920–940 billion. This figure reflects Vietnam’s strong export potential, based on advantages in labor, FDI inflows, incentive policies, and a favorable geographical position, and even exceeds the expectations and targets set out in the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Strategy for Import–Export of Goods to 2030.
According to the expert, a notable highlight in Vietnam’s export picture is the clear transformation of domestic production sectors, particularly agriculture and textiles and garments.
Previously, enterprises often operated on a seasonal basis or relied on short-term orders, lacking systematic planning. Currently, many enterprises have invested in complete value chains, applied quality inspection systems, obtained international certifications, and complied with environmental standards such as CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance—a framework for measuring corporate sustainability and social responsibility), and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Proactively anticipating and meeting transparency requirements of international markets has helped Vietnamese export products gain smoother market access and meet the stringent standards of foreign customers./.
Source: www.thuehaiquan.tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn
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