Maintain momentum to ensure exports reach their target sooner.

In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam's exports reached over $306 billion, with a surplus of nearly $14 billion, creating a solid foundation for growth for the whole year.

However, to maintain export momentum and reach the finish line early, the business community and relevant authorities must work together to take advantage of the opportunities offered by free trade agreements, expand markets, promote greening and digitalization of production, and increase resilience to global fluctuations.

Loading and unloading export goods at Hateco International Container Port, Hai Phong .

Many challenges lie ahead.

In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam's total import and export turnover reached nearly 600 billion USD, an increase of 16.3% compared to the same period last year; exports alone reached 306 billion USD, an increase of 14.8% and exceeding the annual target. The trade balance showed a surplus of nearly 14 billion USD, contributing to macroeconomic stability. According to experts, this is an impressive result in the context of a global economy still facing many uncertainties, trade conflicts, and geopolitical fluctuations that heavily impact international supply chains.

Notably, the United States continues to demonstrate its role as a cornerstone market in Vietnam's export turnover. According to Do Ngoc Hung, Vietnam's Trade Counselor in the United States, in the first seven months of 2025, bilateral trade reached US$114.5 billion, a 41% increase compared to the same period last year; of which Vietnam exported US$106 billion and imported US$8 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of US$98 billion. Key product groups such as machinery and equipment, wood and wood products, textiles, and seafood all maintained high growth, with many items increasing from 15% to over 100%. Ms. Do Thi Thu Huong, representative of the Vietnam Electronics Business Association, said that the electronics industry continues to be the "locomotive" of Vietnam's exports. In the first eight months, export turnover reached US$100 billion, accounting for more than 30% of the country's total exports, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year, with exports to the United States alone reaching US$35 billion.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that behind the positive export figures, risks still lurk. These include the potential instability of the global economy stemming from geopolitical tensions, strategic competition between major powers, increasingly stringent US trade policies, and the risk of supply chain disruptions. With one of the highest levels of economic openness in the world, Vietnam is unlikely to avoid these impacts. Therefore, to achieve the target of a 12% increase in exports for the whole year, the last four months need to generate at least $150 billion, equivalent to more than $37.5 billion per month – a very challenging figure.

Many solutions to promote sustainable exports.

Garment production for export at Son Ha Garment Joint Stock Company (Son Tay ward). Photo: Nguyen Quang

According to Ngo Chung Khanh, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), although free trade agreements have made many positive contributions, the reality shows that Vietnamese businesses have not yet fully exploited the potential that these agreements open up. To effectively utilize them, it is necessary to clearly define objectives for each market, identifying priority markets, key products, and specific growth targets. Based on this, trade missions, associations, and businesses must coordinate smoothly, clearly define responsibilities, and avoid scattered or vague implementation.

For the United States – the largest export market – there is still significant potential, but it comes with many challenges, including tariff barriers, increasingly stringent trade defense investigations, and strict quality standards, traceability, and product transparency. Vietnamese businesses wanting to thrive must comprehensively enhance their competitiveness, from processing technology, quality, and design to brand building. For China, exports have not yet met expectations due to the country's prioritization of domestic goods and strict food safety controls; several durian shipments have been flagged. The solution is for businesses to improve quality, ensure traceability, invest in processing, preservation, packaging, and cold storage technologies, and strengthen promotion in northern and northwestern China. The Vietnamese Trade Office there is also committed to providing information, customs clearance support, and promoting Vietnamese goods at major trade fairs.

For the European Union (EU) market, the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement is a major boost, with over 90% of tariffs reduced to zero, opening up opportunities for market diversification, reducing dependence on the United States, and increasing presence in Europe. However, the EU market also harbors considerable risks due to the potential for third-country goods to circumvent tariffs by using Vietnam, stricter food safety regulations, and the extension of safeguard measures on steel and alloys. According to Tran Ngoc Quan, Vietnam's Trade Counselor in Belgium and the EU, Vietnamese goods will still benefit in the short term, but in the long term, if production is not greened and environmental standards are not met, it will be very difficult to maintain a market share.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that maintaining growth momentum amidst global uncertainty requires synchronized coordination between the State, trade offices, associations, and localities. In particular, the crucial period from now until the end of the year demands market classification and specific task assignments. Accordingly, markets experiencing negative growth must restore orders and remove barriers; the mid-range group must maintain its growth momentum; and the high-end group must continue its role as a "locomotive," driving overall export turnover upwards. Along with market expansion, it is necessary to increase the resilience of businesses, participate in the digital trade promotion ecosystem, diversify supply chains, invest in green technology, and improve traceability standards. Industry associations need to become a "pillar of support," providing information, market guidance, and brand building support.

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In August 2025, total merchandise exports and imports reached US$83.06 billion, an increase of 0.9% compared to the previous month and a 16.0% increase compared to the same period in 2024. For the first eight months of 2025, total exports and imports reached nearly US$600 billion, a 16.3% increase compared to the same period; exports alone reached US$306 billion, a 14.8% increase.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/giu-nhip-de-xuat-khau-som-ve-dich-716287.html