Commodity exports are a bright spot
Commodity exports continue to be one of important pillars contributing to promoting Vietnam's economic growth. According to data from General Statistics Office - Ministry of Finance, in the first 8 months of 2025, commodity export turnover reached 305.96 billion USD, up 14.8% over the same period in 2024. Total import and export turnover reached 597.93 billion USD, up 16.3% over the same period. In terms of imports, Vietnam recorded 291.97 billion USD, up 17.9%. Thanks to that, trade balance of goods surplus was about 13.99 billion USD, continuing to consolidate trade surplus position.
Notably, export structure shows clear dominance of the processed industrial goods group. In 8 months, turnover of this group reached 271.06 billion USD, accounting for 88.6% of total export turnover. In addition, agricultural and forestry products group reached about 25.92 billion USD; aquatic products reached 7.15 billion USD. Fuel and mineral products only contributed a small proportion, reflecting strong shift in the structure of export goods towards industrialization.
Analyzing by economic sector, foreign-invested sector (FDI) continued to play a leading role, contributing 74.9% of total export turnover. Domestic economic sector only accounted for 25.1%, showing a large room but also reflecting limitations in competitiveness of domestic enterprises.
By market, the United States continues to be Vietnam's largest export destination with a turnover of about 99.1 billion USD, accounting for over 32% of total export turnover. EU, China, ASEAN and South Korea are also important markets, contributing to maintaining export growth.
However, some problems still arise. Export growth in domestic business sector is still slow, many units have not taken full advantage of incentives from free trade agreements (FTAs). At the same time, technical barriers from import markets are increasingly stricter, especially requirements on traceability, quality standards, environmental regulations and sustainable development.
Towards sustainable growth
At the recent 8-month trade promotion conference in 2025, Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad proposed many groups of solutions to maintain export growth momentum in the context of many fluctuations in the world economy.
Representative of Ministry of Industry and Trade emphasized that it is necessary to take full advantage of incentives from FTAs such as EVFTA, CPTPP, RCEP, while exploiting potential niche markets such as Eastern Europe, South Asia and Africa. In addition, it is necessary to develop products with high added value, focusing on strategic industries such as electronics, textiles, footwear, wood and wood products.
To meet global trend, representatives of associations and enterprises said that export enterprises need to focus on technological innovation, applying digital transformation, automating production processes and managing supply chains. Greening products, applying international environmental certifications, eco-labels and sustainable product certification are considered the key to deeper access to developed markets.
Vietnam Trade Offices abroad are required to proactively act as a bridge for businesses, not only providing market information but also directly supporting businesses in finding partners and building brands. Industry associations need to coordinate closely in specific trade promotion activities, while organizing training and capacity building for member businesses. For localities, export must be considered a key task in socio-economic development; local authorities need to accompany and remove difficulties in capital, infrastructure and product quality for businesses.
In addition, the State needs to continue to have policies to support small and medium enterprises, helping them invest in technology, improve production capacity and meet international requirements. At the same time, it is necessary to improve logistics infrastructure, develop a system of seaports, warehouses and roads connecting border gates to reduce transportation costs and increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods.
Export performance in the first 8 months of 2025 is a bright spot of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP growth, macroeconomic stability and job creation. However, road ahead still has many challenges. To achieve target of 12% export growth for the whole year of 2025, with a trade surplus continuing to maintain at a high level, Vietnam needs to synchronously deploy many solutions.
At Trade Promotion Conference for the first 8 months of 2025, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien requested agencies to coordinate closely, closely monitor the market, propose appropriate policy adjustments, and build strong partnerships. Promote trade promotion cooperation, connect domestic enterprises with international partners to improve capacity, diversify supply sources and markets, and reduce dependence on key markets.
In addition, it is necessary to strengthen resilience of enterprises, participate in digital trade promotion ecosystem, diversify supply chains, invest in green technology and improve traceability. Industry associations play a supporting role, providing information, guiding market and building brands.
In long term, continue to diversify export markets, reduce dependence on traditional markets, improve capacity to meet international standards, develop domestic supporting industries and logistics infrastructure. Applying digital transformation in import-export management is a key solution to improve efficiency and transparency of international trade.
Despite many challenges, with right policies and efforts of business community, Vietnam can expect success in international trade in 2025, improving its position in global market.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn