Bright spots in goods export
Information from Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association said that despite facing pressure to reduce prices, high quality requirements, sustainability criteria, increasing input costs and labor shortages, the leather, footwear and handbag industry still achieved revenue of 26 billion USD in 2024, an increase of about 10% compared to 2023.
Currently, in the world's leather and footwear supply chain, Vietnam ranks 3rd in production with 1.4 billion pairs/year, after China and India; ranks 2nd in export with 1.3 billion pairs/year, after China.
Export markets of footwear industry in 2024 all have growth. Some major markets such as the US and EU have maintained an increase of over 10%. This year, China continues to be ranked in group of billion-dollar export markets of the industry, just behind the US and EU and accounting for 9% of proportion.
Entering 2025, footwear industry still sets a target of 10% export growth compared to 2024, reaching a turnover of about 29 billion USD. To achieve this goal, footwear industry also depends on consumer demand factors and ability to comply with green standards from import markets.
Along with footwear, seafood is also one of the industries with export turnover maintaining a good growth rate. At Ceremony to Celebrate Seafood Exports Reaching 10 Billion USD in 2024 held on evening of December 23, 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, President of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) emphasized that context of 2024 is more difficult than favorable but with a creative spirit and flexible adaptability, Vietnamese seafood industry has achieved impressive results with an export value of 10 billion USD, an increase of 12.7% compared to 2023. These are just 2 of many industries that have "reached finish line" with high export achievements in 2024. According to Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, in 2024, import-export activities have recovered strongly, which is a bright spot in national economy in 2024. Military conflicts and political instability continue to affect global economy, but thanks to the strong direction of the Government, Vietnam's economy has maintained positive growth momentum. Notable results in import-export activities. Specifically, export turnover grew at a high level with a positive recovery of key export groups. Export for the whole year of 2024 are expected to reach over 404 billion USD, an increase of about 14% compared to 2023. Exports of processed industrial products increased by 14.7%; of which computers, electronic products and components; machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts; wood and wood products increased by over 20%. Textile and footwear exports increased by over 10%. Seafood exports recovered strongly, increasing by over 10%; vegetables and fruits increased by over 20%. In addition, most export markets have recovered and grown well, markets that have signed FTAs with Vietnam have achieved high growth. Trade balance continues to record a high trade surplus, over 24 billion USD, contributing positively to growth and macroeconomic stability. In particular, export from domestic economic sector recovered well. Both the foreign-invested enterprise sector and the 100% domestic-owned enterprise sector recorded good growth in export turnover. Of which, export from domestic enterprises reached 105.5 billion USD, up 19.5%, higher than the growth rate of the FDI sector (12.6%).
Highly appreciating growth of domestic enterprises, in a recent interview with reporters of Industry and Trade Newspaper, Dr. Le Quoc Phuong - Former Deputy Director of Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center - Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that, in context of domestic enterprises mainly exporting low-value products such as agricultural products, aquatic products, etc…outstanding growth compared to FDI enterprises shows great efforts of domestic enterprises. At the same time, it shows that enterprises have been well prepared and have seized opportunities well during market recovery period.
Ministry of Industry and Trade actively participates
Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade assessed that to achieve this result, in addition to more positive world macro factors, there is also close attention and direction of the Government leaders, leaders of Ministry of Industry and Trade and ministries and branches related to import-export activities, to market development work. Enterprises are also proactive and flexible in diversifying markets, overcoming difficulties, promoting production and export. In particular, Import-Export Department has contributed to work of building institutions, reforming administrative procedures, facilitating trade, developing logistics services, promoting import-export activities and border trade.
Specifically, implementing the Party and Government's policy on reforming administrative procedures, facilitating businesses while managing risks, Ministry of Industry and Trade has reviewed and adjusted accordingly the issuance of preferential Certificates of Origin (C/O) in electronic environment.
From January 1, 2024, Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued 13 electronic C/O forms to businesses including: AANZ, AJ, E, AHK, RCEP, CPTPP, VJ, VC, VN-CU and S. For C/O form D and C/O forms AK, VK (to Korea), and has presided over and coordinated with the Ministry of Finance (General Department of Customs) to carry out transmission of electronic C/O data. Issuance of electronic C/O has actively contributed to reducing costs and time for businesses as well as state agencies.
In addition, businesses that meet criteria will be classified into the "green channel", reducing time for approving C/O issuance as well as the documents that must be presented. Businesses that violate origin of goods are classified into the "red channel". Depending on level of violation, businesses in the "red channel" must undergo stricter inspection and verification, even inspecting each export shipment before considering and granting preferential C/O. For groups of goods in the warning list, with a risk of origin fraud, agencies and organizations that issue C/O will increase inspection and verification of the origin of goods before considering and granting preferential C/O.
At the same time, Ministry of Industry and Trade has advised the Government to issue a Decree amending the Decree on border trade.
Accordingly, border trade activities play an important role in developing border economy, contributing to improve people's lives and promote socio-economic cooperation between Vietnam and neighboring countries. To strengthen management of border trade activities and promote official trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade has advised the Government to issue Decree No.122/2024/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No.14/2018/ND-CP dated January 23, 2018 of the Government detailing border trade activities, effective from December 1, 2024. Payment methods, goods standards, subjects of trading activities at border markets, entry and exit and means of transport of Vietnam... are contents amended and supplemented in Decree regulating border trade activities. Ministry of Industry and Trade also advised the Prime Minister to draft Strategy for Logistics Services Development to 2030, with a vision to 2050; draft Decree amending Decree on rice export business.
In particular, development of Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No.107/2018/ND-CP on rice export business has contributed to overcoming existing problems and shortcomings, orienting rice production and export business activities, contributing to improving effectiveness and efficiency of rice export and import management to ensure goal of sustainable and stable rice export, meeting market requirements and process of international economic integration; promoting sustainable, stable and effective rice production and export in accordance with market developments and market requirements, contributing to harmoniously resolving relationship between common interests of the country and interests of rice farmers, rice export traders and domestic rice consumers.
In context of many unpredictable factors affecting import and export activities, Ministry of Industry and Trade still shows determination and high efforts, setting a challenging target of export growth in 2025 reaching about 12% compared to 2024.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn