Vietnam determined to increase exports, diversify markets to achieve dual goals

Vietnam's trade picture in the first 8 months of 2025 recorded many bright spots. According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade , total import-export turnover reached nearly 305 billion USD, up 14.4% over the same period in 2024. This is an impressive result in the context of the global economy still having many uncertainties, the international supply chain is affected by trade conflicts and geopolitical fluctuations.

Trade counselors at the conference affirmed that the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and bilateral cooperation mechanisms bring clear advantages to Vietnamese goods. According to Mr. Tran Ngoc Quan, Trade Counselor in Belgium and the EU, more than 90% of tax lines under EVFTA have been reduced to 0%, creating great opportunities for businesses to diversify markets, reduce dependence on the US and increase their presence in Europe.

However, to maintain a long-term position, businesses need to proactively adapt to new trade barriers. Ms. Nguyen Hoang Thuy, Trade Counselor in Sweden, pointed out that the Nordic market has great purchasing power, consumers are willing to pay high prices for green and innovative goods, but geographical distance and high logistics costs reduce the competitive advantage of Vietnamese goods. Trade counselors emphasized that the large EU market still opens up many opportunities, but Vietnamese businesses need to improve quality and have a synchronous strategy to maintain advantages and expand market share.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade held a conference to promote trade with the Vietnamese trade office system abroad. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

The Ministry of Industry and Trade held a conference to promote trade with the Vietnamese trade office system abroad. (Photo: Vietnam+)

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized the important role of the Vietnamese trade office system abroad and requested to classify markets to carry out specific tasks. Specifically, for markets with negative growth, the trade office must quickly find the cause, restore orders and remove barriers. For the low-growth market group, it is necessary to promote exports by at least 8.5%. For the medium-growth group, it is necessary to maintain the growth momentum and raise it to 12%. As for the high-growth group, it is necessary to continue to play a pioneering role, striving for over 15% to pull up the entire export turnover.

In addition, the Minister also requested ministries and branches such as the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate closely to remove obstacles for businesses through tax and credit policies and FTA negotiations. The Trade Promotion Agency is assigned the responsibility of coordinating and innovating promotion activities in a direction that closely follows market practices and business needs. The Agency will implement large-scale programs in key markets such as the EU, the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea, while focusing on exploiting niche markets and new markets. At the same time, promote trade promotion associated with strategic product groups such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed: "In the context of many fluctuations in the world , to maintain the growth rate, the trade office system must be an extension of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, accompanying businesses and industry associations. Only with consensus can we bring Vietnam's exports to new heights." This is especially important when the domestic market is gradually reaching its limit, there is not much room for growth, so exports must be considered the spearhead.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-quyet-tam-tang-truong-xuat-khau-da-dang-hoa-thi-truong-de-dat-muc-tieu-kep-216207.html