Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam earned nearly 103 billion USD in export revenue in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 10.6% year-on-year.
However, exports are now facing mounting challenges, particularly after the US imposed reciprocal tariffs of up to 46% on specified Vietnamese goods.
At the cabinet meeting in March, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the need for both comprehensive strategies and targeted solutions to sustain export growth, restructure the economy, and diversify markets.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, total import-export turnover in Q1 reached an estimated 202.5 billion USD, up 13.7% from the same period last year. Exports were valued at 102.8 billion USD, while imports increased 17% to 99.68 billion USD, signalling rising demand for production inputs. The trade surplus stood at 3.15 billion USD.
Experts warned that Q2 may see slower export growth due to the fresh levy of US tariffs, which will reduce the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods, especially in key sectors like electronics, machinery, textiles, and footwear. The US currently accounts for 30% of Vietnam’s total exports.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai emphasised the wide-ranging impact of these tariffs on Vietnam’s economy, FDI, employment, and industrial sectors. Exporters are urged to shift to online platforms, expand into new markets, and fully leverage the country’s 17 FTAs.
Authorities are encouraging the exploration of emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Northeast Asia to reduce over-reliance on the US. The Ministry also plans to strengthen trade promotion and improve compliance with international standards.
Industry leaders, including from Vinatex and TNG, are adjusting strategies to mitigate risks by diversifying export destinations and balancing market shares. Meanwhile, exporters are advised to monitor global trade policies, improve product standards, and strengthen trade defense capacities.
ꦇ Deputy Minister Hoai affirmed that the Ministry will continue to support Vietnamese businesses in navigating international trade shifts and expanding to potential markets./.
To achieve its goals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has rolled out eight key tasks and solutions, focusing on accelerating administrative reform; advancing sectoral restructuring; promoting digital transformation and innovation; expanding domestic and international markets.
Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T Import Export Service Trading Co. Ltd., stressed that tougher technical barriers in global markets are creating a level playing field, compelling exporters to prioritise quality and compliance.
According to the VFA's data, out of 1.1 million tonnes of rice exported in the first two months of the year, high-quality rice accounted for 80%, reinforcing Vietnam’s competitive edge against India and Thailand.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
According to NordCham Vietnam Chairman Thue Quist Thomasen, the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to contribute to green and sustainable growth.
