The projection was announced on Friday by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang, at a conference reviewing the sector’s performance. She said that as of Dec. 15, Vietnam’s combined import-export value had already climbed to US$883.7 billion.

Containers at Tan Vu - Hai Phong port in northern Vietnam, July 2023.

Exports are expected to increase 16% compared with 2024, reaching about US$470 billion. Vietnam has recorded a trade surplus for 10 straight years since 2016, providing a steady inflow of foreign currency, easing exchange-rate pressure, and helping bolster national foreign exchange reserves.

Vietnam’s trade turnover has posted continuous growth in recent years. From the $100 billion milestone in 2009, total trade turnover has increased ninefold.

The number of export items generating more than $1 billion has also risen sharply, from 10 items in 2007 to 36 at present.

Export markets have continued to expand, with the number of markets posting turnover of more than $1 billion rising from 27 in 2013 to 35 by the end of last year.

Manufacturing activities have been expanding. The industrial production index is estimated at 9.5%, higher than the 8.2% recorded in 2024.

Vietnam signed four new free trade agreements this year, bringing the total to 17 with 65 countries and territories.

The size of the e-commerce market surpassed $30 billion for the first time this year. Vietnam has also maintained its position as 32nd globally in terms of national brand value.

However, Thang noted that while exports have been growing, they remain unsustainable, with foreign direct investment accounting for a large share.

Vietnam still depends heavily on several major markets and faces pressure from trade defense investigations and origin fraud. Meanwhile, the development of the domestic market and e-commerce activities remains limited.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the government’s ambition to achieve double-digit economic growth in the coming years.

He said the industry and trade sector must post growth of more than 10% by revitalizing traditional growth drivers while pushing into new markets.

Vietnam - China International Trade Fair opens in Tuyen Quang province

The six-day fair hosts more than 240 booths operated by companies from both countries, showcasing farm produce, medicinal herbs, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, handicrafts, and opportunities in investment, trade and tourism as well.

 

Over 300 enterprises gather at Vietnam–China trade and tourism fair in Quang Ninh

More than 300 enterprises from Vietnam, China, ASEAN countries, Vietnamese industry associations, and domestic and foreign trade, tourism and investment promotion organisations are participating in the 17th Vietnam–China International Trade and Tourism Fair 2025, which opened in Quang Ninh province on December 11.

 

Vietnam, RoK strengthen cooperation on trade remedies

Currently, both the RoK and Vietnam are each applying four trade-remedy measures on goods imported from the other. In particular, the RoK side called on Vietnam to exercise caution in its application of anti-dumping measures on four steel products from the RoK.

 

Bac Ninh fruit festival 2025 boosts trade exchange, strengthens agro-tourism links

BAC NINH - The Bac Ninh Fruit Festival 2025 is under way at Chu Ward Central Square, creating a lively atmosphere and drawing strong visitor flows.

Bac Ninh leverages trade promotion to boost consumption of local products

BAC NINH - Bac Ninh authorities and producers of products under One Commune One Product programme (OCOP) and key local products have intensified trade promotion efforts in recent years, helping agricultural goods and rural industrial products reach wider markets and secure stable income for workers.

Vietnam contributes to WTO’s annual trade monitoring report

The report notes that between mid-October 2024 and mid-October 2025, new tariffs and other import measures affected 2.64 trillion USD worth of global merchandise imports, marking the highest level in more than 15 years.