In August, Bac Ninh once again outpaced Ho Chi Minh City to claim the top position nationwide in export turnover. Phu Tho also made a surprising leap, surpassing Dong Nai to enter the top four provinces and cities with the highest export values in Vietnam.

According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's total export turnover in August reached USD 43.39 billion. Cumulatively for the first eight months of 2025, exports totaled nearly USD 306 billion, marking a 33.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

Notably, among the list of provinces and cities with the highest export values, Bac Ninh led with USD 8.62 billion in exports for August, outpacing Ho Chi Minh City’s USD 7.83 billion.

This is the second consecutive month (July and August) that Bac Ninh has held the top spot after administrative unit mergers, surpassing Ho Chi Minh City in national export performance.

In the top five provinces and cities with the highest export turnover in August 2025, besides Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City, were Hai Phong with USD 4.62 billion, Phu Tho with USD 3.55 billion, and Dong Nai with USD 3.19 billion.

Over the eight-month period, the top five localities with the highest cumulative export values were Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Phu Tho, and Dong Nai, collectively accounting for 63.2% of the country’s total exports.

Despite being surpassed in monthly rankings, Ho Chi Minh City maintained its lead over the eight-month span with a total export value of USD 60.95 billion. Bac Ninh followed closely at USD 57.26 billion, narrowing the gap to just USD 3.69 billion.

Hai Phong secured third place with exports totaling USD 29.48 billion.

The fourth and fifth positions saw a reshuffle. Phu Tho officially overtook Dong Nai with USD 23.09 billion in exports compared to Dong Nai’s USD 22.75 billion, making it into the top four exporting localities for the first time.

During the August 2025 regular government meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien reported that although exports were affected by global monetary tightening policies, August still recorded an 11.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

Exports to the U.S. market alone fell 5% compared to July, but overall for the first eight months, they rose by 17.3% year-on-year.

Vietnam's total import-export turnover since the beginning of 2025 is estimated at nearly USD 600 billion, up 16.3% from the same period in 2024. The Ministry of Industry and Trade expects this figure to hit USD 800 billion for the year - potentially setting a new national record. The country is also projected to achieve a trade surplus of nearly USD 14 billion by year-end.

Tam An