“Green passport” and the story of maintaining advantages for Vietnamese goods

However, to take advantage of the opportunity, businesses must constantly improve product standards and competitiveness, turning advantages into long-term momentum, and maintaining the position of Vietnamese goods in the international market.

Processing pangasius fillets for export at Sao Mai Group's factory ( An Giang province). *Photo: Vu Sinh*

Promoting export growth

Vietnam's pangasius exports are showing positive signs. According to the latest data from the Customs Department, in August 2025, pangasius export turnover reached 200 million USD, up 5% over the same period last year. In the first 8 months of 2025, this figure exceeded 1.4 billion USD, 10% higher than in 2024, showing a positive recovery momentum.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), one of the important factors helping pangasius exports to flourish is the effectiveness of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Major markets in the bloc such as China and Japan continue to be the core with diverse demands, from frozen fillets to ready-to-eat products. Also thanks to incentives from free trade agreements (FTAs), the Vietnamese seafood industry has expanded in many markets with significant growth.

In Canada, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has created important momentum for Vietnamese goods. Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Canada Tran Thu Quynh said that Canadian consumers increasingly favor textiles, footwear, wood, seafood, coffee, electronic components and machinery and equipment from Vietnam thanks to their quality and competitive prices. Vietnam is currently Canada's 7th largest trading partner, and is also the leading and accounts for nearly 45% of Canada's total import turnover from Southeast Asia. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover will reach about 7.2 billion USD, of which Vietnam's exports to Canada will be more than 6.3 billion USD. The fact that both countries are members of the CPTPP has opened up many opportunities for cooperation thanks to tariff reductions, market opening and procedural reform.

From a policy perspective, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Pham Quynh Mai affirmed that the synchronous implementation of FTAs, especially new-generation FTAs, has brought about remarkable results. In the 2021-2025 period, Vietnam's import-export turnover maintained double-digit growth.

Notably, exports to the European Union (EU) increased by nearly 30%, while new markets such as Canada and Mexico also increased by nearly 18%. According to the General Department of Customs, in 2024 alone, export turnover to markets with FTAs will reach over 230 billion USD, accounting for more than 70% of the country's total export turnover. This is clear evidence that Vietnamese enterprises are effectively taking advantage of tariff incentives, expanding markets and improving competitiveness.

To date, Vietnam has signed more than 17 bilateral and multilateral FTAs, including many new-generation agreements such as RCEP, CPTPP, Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Vietnam - UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). In 2024 alone, Vietnam will sign and put into effect two new FTAs in the Middle East (with the United Arab Emirates - UAE and with Israel). With a wide FTA network covering nearly 60 economies, accounting for about 90% of global GDP, Vietnam is holding an important "trade passport" to boost exports and consolidate its position in the international supply chain.

Perfecting institutions, expanding integration space

In the volatile flow of the global economy, diversifying export markets is no longer simply a temporary solution, but has become a vital strategy for Vietnamese enterprises to reach out to the world.

Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Pham Quynh Mai said: “In the 2025-2030 period, the key orientation is to continue to thoroughly implement Resolution No. 59/NQ-TU of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation; prioritize comprehensive trade negotiations with the United States; maximize the exploitation of 17 existing FTAs, while expanding to potential markets such as the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and promoting new FTA negotiations”.

To realize this orientation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively completed institutions, built a system of legal documents to serve the implementation of FTAs, and at the same time promoted communication and training for industries and localities. In particular, the Vietnamese - English bilingual FTA electronic information portal has become an "open data warehouse" for businesses. In 2025, the Ministry will for the first time publish the FTA Index - a "digital map" reflecting the effectiveness of FTA implementation, helping businesses locate opportunities and providing valuable data to the Government in policy making.

However, opportunities from FTAs can only be truly exploited when businesses are more proactive and professional in their preparation. Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Hoang Minh Chien frankly pointed out that many of Vietnam's export products, especially agricultural products, are still limited in deep processing, lack strong brands, and have uneven quality.

"Although output is high, the export value is still not commensurate with the potential," said Mr. Hoang Minh Chien.

Experts say that FTA is a “wide open door”, but to step through and conquer the market, Vietnamese enterprises need to improve their production capacity, strictly comply with international standards, and build a sustainable brand. Only then will the benefits of integration spread into long-term competitive strength, affirming Vietnam’s position in the global value chain.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tam-ho-chieu-xanh-va-chuyen-giu-loi-the-cho-hang-viet-718466.html