Diversify markets, promote import and export growth

The trade promotion conference with the Vietnamese Trade Office system abroad in August took place on the morning of September 9.

Trade Promotion Conference with the Vietnamese Trade Office System Abroad in August with the theme of diversifying export markets and products; diversifying import sources to promote import-export turnover growth by 2025.

Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Trade Promotion Agency ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), emphasized that the import-export target this year assigned by the Government to the Industry and Trade sector is extremely heavy but also full of expectations: Total export turnover of goods increased by 12% and trade surplus reached about 30 billion USD. This is an important preparation step to bring the economy into the 2026 - 2030 period with the goal of sustainable growth, effectively taking advantage of free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed.

The trade picture in the first 8 months of 2025 shows many remarkable bright spots. Total import-export turnover reached nearly 305 billion USD, up 14.4% over the same period in 2024, an impressive result in the context of global economic uncertainty, trade conflicts and geopolitical fluctuations strongly affecting the international supply chain.

Notably, the FDI sector continues to play a key role with 228 billion USD, up over 18%, while domestic enterprises reached 76.5 billion USD, up 3%. This shows that the FDI sector's resilience is still outstanding, but also reflects the limitations in the competitiveness of domestic enterprises. This is a big challenge for the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade in supporting and enhancing the position of Vietnamese enterprises in the global value chain.

Mr. Do Ngoc Hung, Vietnam Trade Counselor in the United States, said that based on US customs data, in the first 7 months of 2025, the total bilateral trade turnover between the two countries was 114.5 billion USD. Of which, exports reached 106.2 billion, imports reached 8.2 billion; trade surplus was at 98 billion USD. Compared to the same period in 2024, the total trade turnover increased by 41%; exports to the US increased by 44%; imports from the US increased by 13%.

“It can be said that the trade turnover indexes between the two countries have increased at a significant rate. The US market is considered an import market with a very large growth rate. It can be seen that the main export industries to the US in recent times of Vietnam have all grown impressively (over 10%), especially some products have grown by over 100% such as the machinery group (HS 84); the toy group (HS 95). Vietnam has nearly 10 export products with over/approaching billion USD to the US market,” said Mr. Do Ngoc Hung.

However, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung also pointed out the challenges in the coming time. Currently, the reciprocal tax rate applied to Vietnam is 20%, the transit tax rate is 40%. The current problem is that the US is considering a way to determine the transited goods.

In addition, the United States has always been the partner that investigates and applies the most trade defense measures against Vietnamese goods. As of September 2025, the United States has investigated 77 cases, accounting for over 26% of the total number of cases investigated by WTO members with Vietnam. Most of the cases ended with the imposition of taxes.

Faced with these challenges, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung suggested that it is necessary to consider promoting exchanges, negotiations, and signing agreements with the US side, creating a stable and fundamental mentality, increasing market predictability, and contributing to maintaining Vietnam's export growth momentum in the last months of the year. Consider and promptly discuss with the US side the conclusions of NOAA to clarify the scope of the conclusions' impact on Vietnam's seafood exports to study response measures and review. The Ministry of Industry and Trade continues trade promotion programs, fairs, and exhibitions to introduce products and seek export opportunities with potential items. Strengthen early warning of trade defense lawsuits to provide timely information, avoiding passively affecting the results of appeals.

Mr. Nong Duc Lai, Vietnam Trade Counselor in China, said that according to Vietnam's data, the import-export turnover between Vietnam and China in the first 7 months of the year reached 136.47 billion USD, up 21.3% over the same period last year. Of which, the export value reached 35 billion, up 7.1%, the import value reached 101.4 billion USD, up 27.1%. The trade deficit value in the 7 months was 66.4 billion USD (according to Chinese Customs data, the total turnover in the 7 months reached 161.0 billion USD, up 11.2% over the same period; of which, Vietnam's exports reached 50.9 billion USD, down 5.1% and imports from China reached 110 billion USD, up 20.7%; the trade deficit from China was 59.1 billion USD).

Mr. Nong Duc Lai recommends that in order to promote exports to China in the coming time, Vietnamese enterprises need to focus on and constantly improve the quality of agricultural, forestry and fishery products. Enterprises need to understand and comply with the regulations of the importing country on quality standards, packaging, and traceability. It is necessary to control everything from farming, processing, preservation... to export, ensuring traceability at any stage in the production chain.

PV (synthesis)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/da-dang-hoa-thi-truong-thuc-day-tang-truong-xuat-nhap-khau-520320.html