Vietnam’s industrial export still relies on FDI sector
Vietnam posted an estimated trade surplus of 1.3 billion USD in January, according to a report recently announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
A production chain at Thang Long industrial park. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam posted an estimated trade surplus of1.3 billion USD in January, according to a report recently announced by theMinistry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
Of the♓ figure, the domestic economic sector posted a deficit of 1.8 billion USDwhile th🎐e foreign-invested sector (inclusive of crude oil) ran a surplus of 3.1billion USD.
The statistics showed that Vietnam’s industrial production andexport was still driven by the FDI sector which accounted for some 70 percentof the country’s total exports.
The MoIT reported that the index of industrial production in January rose 22.2percent year-on-year. With a 27.2 percent growth, manufacturing and processingsector contributed 21.6 percentage point to the country’s common growth.
Export of processed industrial goods was estimated at 23.96 billion USD duringthe month, up 1 percent from December and 54.5 percent from one year ago.
Mobile phones and accessories remained the biggest currency earner with 5.8billion USD, up 25.9 percent from December.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said the country has developed anumber of key industries such as mining, oil and gas processing, electronics,telecommunications, information technology, metallurgy, iron and steel, appareland footwear, which has laid an important foundation for long-term growth aswell as the country’s modernisation and industrialisation.
In the near future, the MoIT will tap opportunities from trade agreements to enternew markets and boost exports following the pandemic.
It will also improve the working efficiency of its two technical supportcentres for industrial development in the north and the south, which areworking closely with multinational groups in Vietnam such as Toyota, Mitsubishiand Canon to seek suitable suppliers for their value chains.
At the sa꧃me time, the ministry will also develop downstream industries such asenergy, precision engineering and mechanical engineering industries, thuscreating conditions for support industry 💖to develop./.
Da Nang’s authorities are building a detailed plan for the city's first international duty-free zone and smart urban area for investors, with construction set to commence soon as the Import-Export Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) has asked the city to allocate land for the project.
High hopes are pinned on Vietnam’s rice exports in 2021 when major export markets such as the Philippines and Africa continue to sign contracts to buy rice from Vietnam, while many others have great demand for fragrant rice and sticky rice – which are advantageous staples of Vietnamese enterprises.
Domestic leather and footwear firms have no choice but to convert their production activities as difficulties are expected to linger through this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have said.
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.
The analysis from an investment perspective shows that the economy’s growth has been heavily capital‑driven, yet efficiency remains low as reflected by Vietnam’s Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) being significantly higher than global and regional averages. This underscores the imperative to enhance capital‑use efficiency.
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha urged countries to work together to remove supply chain bottlenecks, expand market access, strengthen cooperation in smart customs procedures, mutually recognise technical standards, and eliminate unnecessary protectionist barriers to boost trade and investment.
The event has gathered over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and territories, with more than 980 booths showcasing a wide range of products and technologies in automotive components, electronics, repair and maintenance, bodywork, accessories, and customisation.
A production chain at Thang Long industrial park. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
