This achievement officially places Vietnam among the world’s 15 largest trading nations, a milestone with far-reaching strategic implications for the country’s economic future.

Nguyen Tuan Viet, CEO of VIETGO Export Promotion Company, offers an in-depth perspective on what this landmark means for Vietnam’s evolving trade position.

He emphasizes that beyond the impressive figure, the real story lies in the unexpected pace of growth and the clear signal that Vietnam’s trade momentum shows no sign of slowing. “Reaching the USD 800 billion threshold by mid-November indicates that Vietnam’s trade flows are expanding far faster than in a typical cycle. It reflects our production capacity, adaptability, and the growing openness of the economy,” he said.

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Vietnam joins the world’s top 15 countries by total trade value. Photo: Nguyen Hue

Compared with other countries in the top tier  -  traditionally led by the U.S., China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, and Singapore  -  Vietnam’s entry into the Top 15 is particularly remarkable given the long-standing stability of this group. “Joining the Top 15 doesn’t just speak to scale; it speaks to maturity in trade practices, production standards, technological levels, and supply chain governance,” Viet added.

He argues that a nation’s trade power ultimately rests on its ability to generate foreign currency and sustain a steady trade surplus. Vietnam has posted consistent trade surpluses in recent years, currently reaching approximately USD 30 billion. This has helped boost foreign reserves, stabilize the exchange rate, and provide crucial flexibility for macroeconomic management.

“No economy can become a real powerhouse without exports. Without foreign currency inflows and accumulation, national strength cannot grow,” Viet noted.

Notably, Vietnam’s trade performance is being driven by both foreign-invested (FDI) firms and domestic enterprises. In recent years, their export values have converged, signaling that Vietnamese businesses have significantly improved in technology, product quality, export standards, and market access.

“Vietnamese companies are no longer just OEM contractors. A growing number of agricultural, processed food, furniture, consumer goods, and even construction materials now meet high export standards and carry their own branding. This marks a crucial shift, not only increasing quantity but also enhancing quality,” Viet explained. It lays the foundation for deeper growth and reduces dependency on low-cost sectors.

In this context, comparisons with India  -  the country ranked just ahead of Vietnam  -  become increasingly relevant. India’s population is 14 times larger and it is a software and agriculture superpower, yet its trade volume is only slightly ahead of Vietnam. “The gap is closing rapidly. If this momentum continues, Vietnam could overtake India within one or two years. That would fundamentally change Vietnam’s role in global supply chains,” Viet remarked.

He pointed out a particularly striking fact: Vietnam’s export turnover has already matched or exceeded its GDP. In 2024, exports hit USD 400 billion; in 2025, they’re expected to reach USD 450–500 billion. “Very few countries reach this ratio. It underscores the country’s rapid manufacturing expansion, supply chain integration, and growing competitiveness,” he noted.

According to Viet, 2025 is not just a record-setting year  -  it’s a turning point. “We enjoy rare advantages: the world’s widest FTA network, political stability, strategic geography, competitive logistics, and a young workforce. These are exactly what multinational corporations are looking for amid the global restructuring of supply chains.”

The challenge now is not to maintain the position, but to accelerate further

Viet believes many of Vietnam’s export sectors still have significant headroom for growth: agriculture (with coffee likely surpassing USD 10 billion for the first time), furniture, processed seafood, consumer goods, and construction materials. Industrial-electronics manufacturing is also rapidly shifting to Vietnam. “When both industrial and processed-agriculture sectors grow simultaneously, the impact on trade will be exponential,” he explained.

He stressed that the USD 801 billion figure isn’t just a result of one strong year  -  it’s the payoff from years of reform and a shift in growth models. “We need to see this as a qualitative transformation, not just quantitative. Vietnam is approaching the USD 1 trillion mark  -  something that once seemed out of reach. Our global trade position is visibly evolving.”

He concluded: “Vietnam is now in the Top 15. The key now isn’t to hold onto that spot, but to speed up. If this pace is sustained, Vietnam could become one of Asia’s leading production and trade hubs within the next 5–7 years. That directly supports the government’s GDP growth targets for 2025.”

Historically, every percentage point of export growth has contributed significantly to GDP by building reserves, expanding industrial capacity, and creating a sizable surplus to stabilize currency and inflation. With a current trade surplus of around USD 30 billion, Vietnam now has a valuable cushion that allows for flexible policy responses amid global uncertainties.

Being among the world’s Top 15 trading nations also sends a strong signal to quality FDI, which is expected to continue flowing into Vietnam. This is critical for improving productivity, expanding high-value-added manufacturing, and directly boosting GDP.

In short, breaking into the Top 15 is not just a symbolic achievement  -  it’s a strong indicator that Vietnam’s economic ambitions are now more achievable than ever.

Duc Thuan