Behind those record-breaking figures, meeting rules of origin in exports is becoming a prerequisite, serving both as a "passport" for Vietnamese goods to enter major markets and as a measure of the quality of import-export growth in the context of increasing competition and protectionism.
Rules of Origin: From Administrative Procedure to Strategic Trade Leverage
Previously, rules of origin were primarily viewed from a procedural perspective – a technical condition for enjoying preferential tariffs under free trade agreements (FTAs). However, in the present era, this issue has gone far beyond a purely administrative framework. Rules of origin are becoming a crucial component of trade strategy, directly linked to the organizational capacity for production, supply chain management, and the level of compliance with international standards by businesses.
Vietnam has currently signed and implemented 17 FTAs with most of the world's major economic partners. This means that the market "door" is wide open, but not all goods are eligible to pass through. In the context of countries increasing control over trade fraud, tax evasion, and sophisticated technical protection, rules of origin are the first "filtering barrier."
In reality, many of Vietnam's key industries, such as electronics, textiles, footwear, and processed agricultural products, can only maintain export growth if they effectively control the origin of raw materials right from the input stage. This forces businesses to restructure their supply chains, increase the localization rate, or build sustainable production linkages within FTA regions.
From the perspective of FDI enterprises – a major contributor to export turnover – the role of state management agencies in supporting the implementation of rules of origin is becoming increasingly clear. Ms. Dao Thi Thu Huyen, Deputy Director of External Relations at Canon Vietnam Co., Ltd., emphasized that the support of management agencies is crucial for the continuity of export activities.
“We highly appreciate the role of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in supporting export businesses throughout the process, especially in the field of certificates of origin. Previously, when the issuance of Certificates of Origin (C/O) was handled by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Canon Vietnam always received very close and timely support, helping to ensure that the issuance of C/Os was quick, accurate, and effectively served our exports,” Ms. Dao Thi Thu Huyen shared.
According to Ms. Huyen, transferring the issuance of Certificates of Origin (C/O) to the Ministry of Industry and Trade – the state agency specializing in international trade – is a step in the right direction, creating a foundation for standardizing processes and enhancing the capacity to support businesses in the long term.
Notably, in the context of the two-tiered local government model being implemented, decentralizing the issuance of Certificates of Origin (C/O) to local Departments of Industry and Trade places very high demands on professional expertise and consistent implementation. "We acknowledge the efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in supporting localities to quickly grasp the procedures, ensuring smooth C/O issuance without disrupting the production and export activities of businesses," Ms. Huyen affirmed.
Imports and exports reach peak: Rules of origin are a "safeguard" for sustainable growth.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the period from 2020 to 2025 is considered one of the most extraordinary phases for the global and Vietnamese economies. The pandemic, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and disruptions to global supply chains have created unprecedented shocks. In this context, Vietnam's continuous record-breaking import and export figures, aiming for $920 billion by 2025, represent a significance that goes far beyond mere numbers.
According to Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong – Member of the Economic Advisory Council of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, this is the result of a comprehensive effort by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in repositioning export flows, stabilizing the domestic market, and effectively utilizing integration opportunities.
He noted that the period from 2020 to 2025 is a time of significant global restructuring in terms of economics, politics, and supply chains. In this context, Vietnam has not only overcome challenges but also seized opportunities to rise, continuously achieving new heights in trade and maintaining a trade surplus that has lasted for a decade.
In particular, the fact that many of Vietnam's export items have reached tens of billions of USD in value, with agriculture reaching the 70 billion USD mark, shows that Vietnamese goods have penetrated and established a firm foothold in the most demanding markets. "This reflects a very clear improvement in quality, standards, and especially compliance with requirements regarding the origin of goods," emphasized Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong.
However, he also frankly pointed out that compliance with rules of origin is still uneven across industries. Some sectors, such as seafood and agricultural products, still face warnings related to raw material origin, chemical residues, or violations of fishing grounds. Nevertheless, 2025 is projected to be the year Vietnam reduces approximately 50% of lawsuits related to origin and food safety – a positive sign indicating a significant improvement in awareness and compliance capacity among businesses.
Amidst increasingly stringent origin verification procedures in major markets, driven by technical protectionism, Vietnamese businesses are facing new challenges. Green standards, carbon taxes, sustainable development regulations, and the trend of shifting supply chains toward closer or more environmentally friendly practices are reshaping the rules of global trade.
According to Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong, in order to protect the achievements in import and export and maintain record growth, Vietnamese businesses have no other choice but to effectively utilize the signed FTAs, regularly update regulations on origin, and proactively coordinate closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in policy consultation and advice.
More importantly, rules of origin are not just a "necessary condition" for enjoying preferential tariffs, but are becoming a "sufficient condition" for Vietnamese goods to assert their position on the global trade map. As import and export figures approach the $920 billion mark, the quality of growth, measured by the level of compliance with international standards, will be the decisive factor in determining how far Vietnam can go in its integration journey.
Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/thi-truong-nuoc-ngoai/quy-tac-xuat-xu-hang-hoa-tam-ho-chieu-de-xuat-nhap-khau-viet-nam-cham-moc-920-ty-usd.html
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