Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of about 12.25 billion USD in the first half of this year, according to data released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) on June 29.
Unloading containers at Cat Lai Port, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of about 12.25 billion USD in the first half of this year, according to data released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) on June 29.
In the period, the total import-export turnover of goods hit 316.65 billion USD, an annual decrease of 15.2%. Specifically, exports and imports fell by 12.1% and 18.2%, respectively.
The six-month export value stood at some 164.45 billion USD, of which 43.41 billion USD came from the domestic economic sector, accounting for 26.4% of the total foreign trade. The foreign-invested sector accounted for 73.6% with 121.04 billion USD.
There were 27 commodity items whose shipments overseas brought home over 1 billion USD and five earned over 10 billion USD each. Processing and manufacturing products contribute the lion’s share of the total export turnover, at 144.82 billion USD or 88.1%.
The US was the largest export market of Vietnam spending approximately 44.2 billion USD on Vietnamese goods, while China was the largest import market, selling 50.1 billion USD worth of commodities to Vietnam.
In June alone, the import-export value was estimated at 56.01 billion USD, an increase of 3.6% month-on-month and a reduction of 14.1% year-on-year.
The GSO said the improved export figure for June indicates that trade promotion measures have yielded certain effectiveness.
In the coming time, in a bid to further enhance the efficiency of import and export activities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has identified several tasks, which include intensifying trade promotion programmes that target new and potential markets such as India, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and those less affected by inflation and posting promising growth like ASEAN./.
Despite an overall export decline due to the shortage of orders, foreign direct invested (FDI) businesses still posted more than 14 billion USD in trade surplus in the first four months, further affirming their role as the main growth driver of the economy.
Vietnam’s import-export value in the first five months of this year was estimated at 262.54 billion USD, down 14.7% year-on-year, with a trade surplus of 9.8 billion USD, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on May 29.
Agro-forestry-aquatic product exports were estimated at 20.26 billion USD in the first five months of 2023, down 11.1% year on year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Vietnam has posted a trade surplus of 9.8 billion USD in the first five months of the year, with export revenue standing at over 136 billion USD and import revenue at more than 126 billion USD, according to the General Statistics Office.
The new Government decree also simplifies loan procedures while expanding credit incentives to include organic and circular agriculture, allowing them to access preferential terms similar to those of high-tech and value-chain based agricultural production.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
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.
Unloading containers at Cat Lai Port, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) 
