Addressing challenges, ensuring sustainable export growth

(Chinhphu.vn) - Vietnam is becoming a reliable destination in the trend of rebalancing the global supply chain. However, to make the most of the opportunity, it is necessary to address major challenges in logistics costs, infrastructure and high-quality human resources. This is a key premise to ensure sustainable export growth, while contributing to economic growth in the coming period.

Many key export groups of Vietnam are expected to reach their targets in 2025.

Advantages and challenges intertwined

Mr. Tran Nhu Tung, Vice President of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), said that in the first 8 months of 2025, textile and garment exports reached 30.7 billion USD. From now until the end of the year, if maintaining a minimum monthly export of 4 billion USD, the industry will reach the target of 48 billion USD.

However, according to Mr. Tung's analysis, textile exports have shown signs of slowing down. If the first 6 months of the year increased by 10% compared to the same period, by the end of August the increase was only 7%. The reason is that many customers have increased their orders and requested early delivery before April 1 to enjoy the old tax rate, before the US applies the new tax policy.

According to the Vice President of VITAS, the biggest challenge facing the textile and garment industry today is the pressure to transform green and digitally. He pointed out the fact that only about 20-25% of businesses have enough financial resources to invest in green technology, while the majority of the rest still face many difficulties. If these standards are not met, businesses will have difficulty accessing orders from the European market, which has very strict requirements on sustainability.

In addition, digital transformation also needs to be promoted to meet the requirements of traceability of raw materials. The US market currently requires very clear proof of origin and can impose a tax of up to 40% on shipments suspected of being transit goods. If Vietnamese businesses do not invest in technology to make this process transparent, they will lose their competitive advantage.

To remove the "bottleneck" in supply, Mr. Tung proposed that there should be a policy to encourage the production of domestic raw materials. According to him, when the price of domestic raw materials can compete with the price from China, businesses will naturally prioritize choosing domestic goods. This not only helps them benefit from tariffs but also contributes to promoting the development of the supporting industry.

Like the textile industry, seafood exports have continued to maintain positive growth momentum in recent times. Ms. To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that seafood exports in the first 8 months of 2025 reached 7.3 billion USD, an increase of 17% over the same period last year. This figure demonstrates the great efforts of businesses as well as the support from the Government . With the current momentum, Vasep expects the seafood industry to reach the target of 10 billion USD in 2025, an increase of about 10% over the previous year.

According to the Deputy Secretary General of VASEP, the seafood industry is facing many major challenges. In the US market, in addition to tariff barriers, a new regulation could make it impossible to export key seafood products such as crab, tuna, and mackerel from the beginning of 2026.

Meanwhile, the European market continues to be a burden with the IUU "yellow card" that has lasted for the past 8 years.

"On the contrary, positive signals come from niche markets such as South America, the Middle East or Asia. These are markets with great potential but have not yet received proper investment," Ms. Lan shared.

Another bright spot of the industry is the strong increase in value-added products (VAT). Vietnam currently ranks third globally in the production of VAT seafood products and has a clear orientation to become a processing factory for these products for the world . This is a direction that helps increase profits while avoiding direct price competition with major competitors.

Sharing at the 3rd Vietnam Economic Forum 2025 with the theme "What is the driving force for GDP growth of 8.3-8.5%", Mr. Nguyen Huu Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Ho Chi Minh City branch, said that administrative reforms in recent times have helped to "untie" businesses somewhat. Appreciating the individual efforts of each ministry and branch in reform, but according to Mr. Nam, the issue of data connection between ministries, branches and localities still has gaps, requiring more drastic direction from the authorities. This will be the key to helping reduce the burden of procedures and compliance costs for businesses.

The second support solution for businesses, according to Mr. Nam, is to focus on reducing logistics costs, which currently account for a very high proportion, around 15%. To do so, it is necessary to boost public investment in transport infrastructure, helping businesses improve their competitiveness and expand their markets.

"Other issues such as technological innovation, creative innovation, finance or green transformation are things that businesses can completely take the initiative in, depending on their own conditions and strategies. The two factors mentioned above, administrative reform and reducing logistics costs, are the most practical support that businesses expect from the State," the Deputy Director of VCCI's Ho Chi Minh City branch emphasized.

Seafood exports in the first 8 months of 2025 reached 7.3 billion USD, up 17% over the same period last year - Illustration photo

Ministries and branches simplify procedures and support businesses in diversifying markets.

Ms. Nguyen Cam Trang, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that import-export activities - one of the pillars of economic growth - recorded positive results in the first 9 months of 2025, with export turnover increasing by over 15%. This momentum partly came from businesses boosting exports to the US market in previous months.

Although there was a slowdown in some products in late August and September, the 15% growth rate far exceeded the target of 12%. "We believe that if there is no major shock from the market, the export growth target will be achieved, making an important contribution to the overall growth of the economy," Ms. Trang shared.

The Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department said that in recent times, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have closely coordinated, promoted agreements and connected businesses with many potential markets, promptly removing difficulties for trade. New free trade agreements are being implemented in a diversification direction, targeting potential regions such as the Middle East and the Gulf region.

However, the problem of rules of origin remains a major bottleneck. For example, in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the "yarn forward" rule for textiles is creating difficulties because Vietnam has not yet taken the initiative in sourcing raw materials. The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that in the upcoming ASEAN-Canada negotiations, the rules of origin will be relaxed or have a cumulative mechanism, helping businesses take advantage of diverse raw material sources to meet requirements.

As for the US market, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is still presiding over technical negotiations, especially regarding transit issues. This is an issue that needs to be clarified soon so that businesses can proactively develop production and business plans, avoiding falling into a passive position.

At the same time, institutional reform and removing difficulties for businesses continue to be top priorities. Important resolutions such as Resolutions 66 and 68 by 2025 are being implemented substantially.

Ms. Nguyen Cam Trang said that state management agencies must conduct a comprehensive review, from regulations that cause difficulties in implementation, overlapping regulations, to legal gaps. If amendments or supplements are needed at the decree or law level, ministries and branches must have a roadmap for implementation.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as many other ministries, is drafting amendments to many documents to thoroughly address these shortcomings. This is considered a practical step, creating an important driving force for businesses.

Le Anh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/giai-quyet-nhung-thach-thuc-bao-dam-tang-truong-xuat-khau-ben-vung-102250926151219058.htm