In the face of mounting global challenges, Vietnam’s export turnover in 2025 is projected to hit a record-breaking $470 billion, marking a 16% increase over the previous year. This achievement reinforces Vietnam’s status as one of the world’s most open economies and a shining light in both regional and global trade.

On the evening of December 19, during the 2025 year-end review conference of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, alongside leaders from various ministries, attended the official announcement of Vietnam’s export-import performance and honored top-performing export enterprises.

As of December 15, the country’s total export-import turnover had reached $883.7 billion, with year-end projections suggesting this could rise to $920 billion.

Surpassing the $900 billion mark is a landmark moment, reflecting the tireless efforts of the business community and the strategic direction provided by the Party, the Government, and coordinated actions across ministries and localities.

Earlier in the year, on February 5, the Government issued Resolution No. 25 outlining key growth targets across sectors and provinces, aiming for a national GDP growth rate of 8% or higher in 2025. It set a goal for goods exports to grow by more than 12%. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh followed with Directive No. 29 to strengthen trade measures and external market expansion, as well as Cable No. 221, prioritizing macroeconomic stability and export promotion.

Thanks to firm leadership and proactive measures, Vietnam’s exports not only exceeded expectations but also maintained a trade surplus for the 10th consecutive year since 2016 - crucial for generating stable foreign currency inflows, supporting exchange rate stability, and boosting national foreign reserves.

The steady rise in trade volumes throughout 2025 marks a new high point in Vietnam’s long-term export-import growth trajectory.

From $100 billion in 2009, trade turnover surpassed $200 billion in 2011, $300 billion in 2015, and $400 billion in 2017, hitting $500 billion within a decade. This momentum carried forward, pushing the figure past $600 billion in 2021, $700 billion in 2022, $800 billion in November 2025, and finally breaching $900 billion in December.

The number of exported items with turnover exceeding $1 billion also grew rapidly - from 30 in 2019 to 33 in 2023, and 36 in both 2024 and 2025.

Export market diversification also progressed steadily, with the number of markets surpassing $1 billion in export value increasing from 27 in 2013 to 31 in 2018, 34 in 2022, and 35 in 2024.

One of Vietnam’s key macroeconomic achievements lies in its transition from a trade deficit to sustained trade surpluses. The surplus reached $19.9 billion in 2020, a record $28.3 billion in 2023, and is projected at $21 billion in 2025, following a $24.9 billion surplus in 2024.

Reflecting on the 2021–2025 period, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang emphasized that export growth has become a vital pillar of Vietnam’s economic development, helping the country withstand global fluctuations.

On average, exports grew by 10.8% per year during this five-year period - far exceeding the initial target of 5% annually. The structure of Vietnam’s export-import economy also shifted in a more modern and sustainable direction, with higher-value goods playing a greater role.

Vietnam’s consistent trade surplus across this period has directly supported GDP growth, stabilized macroeconomic fundamentals, controlled inflation, and improved the balance of payments.

These impressive results have helped elevate Vietnam’s global trade ranking, confirming its role as a dynamic economy and an increasingly indispensable link in global supply chains.

This success is a testament to the unwavering resilience of Vietnamese businesses - especially exporters - who have embraced innovation and sustained operations effectively despite ongoing global headwinds.

Ha Giang