Vietnam’s exports continued to expand strongly, rising more than 16% year-on-year to around 368 billion USD by mid-October, narrowing the gap with last year’s total of over 405 billion USD, according to the Department of Customs.

Rice for export at Hanh Phuc rice factory in An Giang province.

Export value increased by 52 billion USD compared with the same period in 2024, a notable gain given global trade remains affected by tariff measures and trade barriers in major markets.

Companies ramped up production ahead of US tariff hikes, while mining and energy output also increased, contributing positively to export performance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said in its latest Industrial Production and Trade Report.

However, exports in the first half of October showed signs of cooling, totalling 9.34 billion USD, down 17.4% from the previous 15 days. The slowdown reflects forecasts that higher US tariffs would dampen import demand.

Despite this, exports remain on track for double-digit growth, though rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions and global economic headwinds continue to challenge Vietnam’s trade outlook in the final quarter and the country’s 2025 export targets.

HSBC recently revised its forecast for Vietnam’s 2025 GDP growth upward from 6.6% to 7.9%, citing resilient trade as a major driver. Electronics manufacturing and exports, particularly to the US, remain the core growth engines.

In the third quarter, Vietnam’s exports to the US jumped nearly 30% from a year earlier, while shipments from other ASEAN economies slipped as early order frontloading eased.

Vietnam’s trade surplus also doubled in Q3 compared with the first half of the year, supported by growing surpluses with markets outside the US.

Rising risks

Even as export turnover in the first ten months exceeded expectations, officials warn that challenges persist.

According to Vu Minh Tam from the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Agency of Foreign Trade, protectionism, geopolitical frictions and sluggish global growth are fuelling uncertainty, disrupting supply chains and pushing up logistics costs.

Vietnam has faced nearly 20 new trade remedy investigations as of September. Legal expenses, particularly in the US, can reach 13 billion VND (nearly 494,000 USD) per case, posing a heavy burden for exporters.

“Green barriers” linked to environmental protection, sustainable development labour standards are also becoming more prevalent. While designed to promote sustainability, such non-tariff measures risk restricting imports and altering global trade flows.

The global trading system is increasingly shaped by unilateral policies, particularly from large economies. The US’s reciprocal tariffs have prompted many countries to adjust their trade commitments, directly affecting Vietnam’s export operations.

Domestically, a National Assembly verification report on the 2025 socio-economic development plan noted that key growth drivers — exports, consumption and investment — have yet to regain sufficient momentum.

Vietnam’s export structure remains fragile, heavily reliant on FDI and imported inputs, while technical barriers and sustainability requirements in key markets are mounting.

Still, experts say the current trade environment also presents opportunities. Tariff challenges could encourage Vietnamese firms to diversify markets and capitalise on the country’s 17 free trade agreements covering more than 60 economies. Expanding into new destinations and reducing dependence on a few key sectors could help build a more resilient and sustainable export base.

Livestock exports hit 447.5 million USD in nine months

During the nine months, milk and dairy products brought home 89 million USD, down 4.9%, while meat, edible offal and by-products totalled 150.9 million USD, rising 27.4%.

 

Bac Ninh leads country in exports for three consecutive months

BAC NINH - Preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance show that Vietnam’s export turnover reached nearly 42.67 billion USD in September. In the first nine months of this year, total exports brought in more than 348.7 billion USD, up 16% from the same period last year.

Bac Ninh promotes efficiency of onsite “labour export”

BAC NINH- With robust industrial development attracting a large number of foreign investors, Bac Ninh province has effectively implemented on-site labour export, bringing high income for local and neighbouring people. Besides, on-site labour export has made positive changes to quality of human resources.

Vietnam’s fruit, vegetable exports estimated at 6.11 billion USD in nine months

September alone saw exports hitting nearly 1.29 billion USD, the highest monthly figure ever recorded.

 

Vietnam leads world in high-tech trade, creative goods exports

Vietnam ranks first globally in both high-tech exports and imports and in creative goods exports, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2025 Global Innovation Index.

Vietnam’s coconut industry targets 1.15 billion USD in export value

To fully harness the sector’s market potential, Vietnam’s coconut industry must pivot towards sustainable development. Eco-friendly cultivation methods, climate resilience, and emissions reduction will be vital in the coming phase.