Director of Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Nguyen Anh Son:

Exports in the past 6 months increased by 14.4%, exceeding the set target, with many markets growing impressively and many industries accelerating, showing the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises.

There are many challenges in the second half of 2025, so efforts are needed in many aspects to achieve the annual export growth target of 12%. Regarding this content, Hanoi Moi Newspaper had an interview with Director of the Import-Export Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) Nguyen Anh Son.

Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Nguyen Anh Son. Photo: Le Trang

Exports exceeded targets

- In the first months of 2025, goods exports have achieved very positive results. So, which industries and products have contributed the most to this growth and what are the main drivers, sir?

- In the first 6 months of 2025, Vietnam's goods export activities recorded very positive results. Total export turnover is estimated at 219.8 billion USD, up 14.4% over the same period last year, exceeding the set target. The average monthly value reached 36.6 billion USD; May and June alone exceeded 39.5 billion USD.

Of which, the agricultural and aquatic products group grew positively, estimated at 16.4% increase; aquatic products alone reached 5.1 billion USD, up 15.9%. Key industrial products continued to maintain good growth momentum, such as: Textiles and garments estimated at 18.7 billion USD, up 12.3%; footwear reached 11.9 billion USD, up 10.1%; computers, electronic products and components reached 47.7 billion USD, up 39.9%.

This positive result comes from many important driving forces, such as flexible macro policies, credit support, improving the investment and business environment and promoting the private economy . The unified management role from the central to local levels helps to effectively exploit domestic resources for production and export. Enterprises make good use of free trade agreements, with exports to the EU increasing by 12%, and to Japan and South Korea both increasing by over 10.6%.

Notably, exports to the United States increased by 27.4%, reaching over 57 billion USD. Potential markets such as Africa increased by 36.5%; Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Senegal alone increased from 116% to 200%. Some new items such as toys, sports equipment and components increased by 103%, reaching 3.3 billion USD.

- Although the trade surplus is still maintained, the trade surplus in the past 6 months has decreased quite sharply compared to the same period last year. How do you assess the current trade balance?

- The first 6 months of 2025 are estimated to have a trade surplus of 7.6 billion USD. This figure is lower than the 12.6 billion USD in the same period last year. The reason is that production and export activities have recovered, and at the same time, businesses have increased the import of raw materials to serve the production of export orders.

Both export and import turnover in the first 6 months of the year had positive growth, so the trade balance was at a moderate level. This could contribute to increasing foreign exchange reserves, stabilizing monetary policy, and contributing to sustainable export and import development in the medium and long term.

- In addition to the US market, what are the highlights of exports to markets with which Vietnam has signed Free Trade Agreements - FTAs such as the European Union, South Korea, Japan... in recent times, sir?

- According to the General Statistics Office, in the first 6 months of 2025, the United States continued to be Vietnam's largest export market, with a turnover of 70.9 billion USD, up 28.2% over the same period last year. China was the second largest export market, with a turnover of 29.1 billion USD, up 4.2%; the EU was our country's third largest export market, with a turnover of 27.3 billion USD, up 10%.

Exports to other FTA partners such as Japan and South Korea have all seen positive growth. Exports to South Korea in the first 6 months reached 13.7 billion USD, up 11.9% over the same period; to Japan reached 12.8 billion USD, up 11.8%.

In general, exports to these markets have shown positive signs in the past 6 months.

Loading and unloading export goods at Hai Phong Port.

Diversified solutions to maintain import-export turnover

- From now until the end of 2025, how is the export trend forecast and what specific recommendations does the Department have for businesses to maintain export growth?

- In the last months of 2025, the world context continues to fluctuate in a complex and unpredictable manner, which may continue to impact the global economy. The global economy will grow slowly and unpredictably, and will be greatly affected by the US trade policy. The conflict in the Middle East will increase oil and energy prices; transportation of supply chains, production chains, logistics, and world trade will be affected; the risk of increased inflation will increase, directly affecting an economy with a large openness like Vietnam.

The results of negotiations with the United States on a trade agreement towards sustainable trade relations, along with the US tax rate imposed on Vietnam and other countries, are also factors that may affect export activities in the last months of the year.

However, with strong determination from the top leaders, the entire political system is unanimously and steadfastly implementing the growth target of at least 8% in 2025 and focusing on implementing the "Quad Pillars" to create new momentum towards the double-digit growth target in the following years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade continues to strive to achieve the export growth target of 12% set at the beginning of the year. Therefore, businesses need to grasp trade regulations and policies, regularly update information on protection measures and trade barriers from partners.

In particular, understanding and complying with the regulations in the free trade agreements that Vietnam participates in will help businesses take advantage of tariff incentives and minimize legal risks. Businesses need to proactively seek and exploit new potential markets and adjust the structure of export products to suit the needs and regulations of each market.

In addition, businesses need to invest in technological innovation, apply digital transformation, improve product quality, ensure compliance with international standards on quality, safety, and environment, thereby saving costs and improving competitiveness. This not only helps businesses overcome technical barriers but also increases product value, creating competitive advantages in the international market. At the same time, it is necessary to equip themselves with knowledge about trade defense, cooperate closely with management agencies to enhance the capacity to respond to trade disputes and protect rights when facing cases related to anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, or self-defense investigations from trading partners.

- With the uncertain world context, what orientations do the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Import-Export Department have to support businesses to maintain growth momentum in the last 6 months of the year?

- In the context of complex fluctuations in the world economy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will synchronously and drastically implement solutions, such as: Focusing on expanding the market, through research, negotiation and signing cooperation agreements with new markets, especially with the United States, in a fair and reciprocal manner; effectively exploiting existing strategic markets and FTAs. In addition, the Ministry proactively monitors the world situation, promptly advises on policies, and provides early warnings of risks to businesses and industries.

The Ministry also promotes trade promotion activities and logistics development to reduce input costs for businesses. The Ministry continues to reform administrative procedures, effectively implement decentralization and delegation of authority, following the 2-level local government model, actively deploying and supporting provinces, cities, departments, branches, and localities, especially in the field of issuing Certificates of Origin (CO). In addition, the Ministry strengthens support for businesses to participate deeply in the global supply chain, promptly responding to trade defense lawsuits.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also focuses on improving the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises by supporting brand building, marketing skills, and product development suitable for each market. Domestic market development is also promoted through domestic consumption and e-commerce. In particular, the Ministry is leading the development of the Law on E-commerce - which is expected to be an important lever to promote exports in the digital transformation era.

Thank you very much!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cuc-truong-cuc-xuat-nhap-khau-bo-cong-thuong-nguyen-anh-son-no-luc-thuc-dien-muc-tieu-xuat-khau-tang-12-nam-2025-708948.html