Export and import exceed 800 billion USD: The foundation for a breakthrough at the end of the year
According to Customs Department, by November 15, 2025, Vietnam's total import and export turnover had reached more than 801 billion USD. This is the highest figure for import and export activities ever.
In the first half of November alone, import and export turnover reached 38.35 billion USD, of which exports were 19.25 billion USD and imports were 19.1 billion USD. This is a result reflecting strong resilience of the economy in context of constantly fluctuating global trade. In the past 10 months, trade balance had a surplus of 19.54 billion USD, creating important room for macroeconomic management and inflation control.
The biggest driver of growth comes from processed industrial goods group - products that are benefiting deeply from many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed. Statistics from Customs Department show that computers, electronics and components led with 4.8 billion USD in the first half of November; followed by machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts with 2.36 billion USD; phones and components reached 2.16 billion USD; textiles and garments reached 1.39 billion USD; footwear more than 1 billion USD. These are all groups of goods with deep FTA integration and are heavily dependent on preferential tariff commitments.
In the context of escalating protectionism, many countries increase trade barriers, free trade agreements have become an important "shield" for Vietnam to maintain its competitiveness. The widespread FTA network with CPTPP, EVFTA, UKVFTA, RCEP... creates great advantages for businesses in accessing markets and improving export quality.
First, tariff incentives help reduce costs, creating direct competitive advantages for Vietnamese goods in high-standard markets. The electronics, textile, footwear and seafood industries have grown well thanks to access to large markets with low or 0% tariffs.
Second, FTAs help restructure the supply chain to reduce dependence on one market. In context of the US imposing reciprocal tariffs, EVFTA immediately became an "alternative door" for Vietnamese textiles; CPTPP expands market share for seafood and agricultural products in Canada, Japan and Australia.
Third, FTAs create great attraction for high-quality FDI capital flows, especially in manufacturing and processing sector. This helps increase localization rate, strengthen the domestic supply chain and form a new export ecosystem.
At the workshop "ASEAN Economic Community and taking advantage of commitments in ASEAN free trade agreements for key export products of Vietnamese enterprises" organized by Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ms. Nguyen Viet Chi - Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade said that it has been 3 decades since Vietnam joined ASEAN and ASEAN has always been an important economic and trade partner of Vietnam. Economic and trade relations between Vietnam and the ASEAN market region have continuously developed over the years and achieved remarkable achievements.
“FTAs within framework of ASEAN Economic Community, when implemented, have supported businesses in expanding business cooperation opportunities; diversifying export markets; improving competitiveness; and participating more deeply in the global value chain,” Ms. Nguyen Viet Chi shared.
Thanks to this resonance, FTAs are a strong impetus for Vietnam's trade to maintain growth momentum and set a new record in 2025.
Bright spots from key industries
The record import-export figures have positive contributions from key industries. According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), as of October 2025, seafood exports reached 9.32 billion USD, up 13.1% over the same period last year. Demand in key markets all increased: China increased by 33.7%; the United States increased by 7.5%; Japan increased by 10.5%; Australia increased by 3.3%. In particular, in Australia, Vietnam is currently the largest seafood supplier by value, accounting for 21.96% of the country's total imports.
This is a market that consumes up to 65% of imported seafood, with a high willingness to pay for value-added processed products. This is a huge advantage for the Vietnamese seafood industry in the new generation of FTAs.
Shrimp exports reached 3.9 billion USD in 10 months, up 22%, the fastest growing group in agricultural and aquatic products. Chinese market spent more than 1.1 billion USD importing Vietnamese shrimp, up 64%, a high increase in many years. Rapidly increasing demand for frozen shrimp and semi-processed shrimp in China's modern retail system has become a driving force for the breakthrough.
In industrial sector, textile and garment exports reached 32.9 billion USD in 10 months, up 7.6%; the United States alone reached 14.81 billion USD, up 11.3%. However, context of reciprocal tax imposition from August 7, 2025 has forced businesses to change their strategies. EVFTA and UKVFTA immediately become important new consumption channels.
Meeting “fabric-forward” rules of origin is a challenge, but at the same time, it is a driving force for businesses to invest in green technology, supply chain management and increase the localization rate. These are core factors to maintain advantages in the high-standard EU market.
On local side, many localities have taken synchronous actions, accelerating support for export enterprises. Ho Chi Minh City - the country's export "locomotive" has implemented many solutions according to the Prime Minister's Official Dispatch 221/CD-TTg to maintain macroeconomic stability and promote exports. Departments such as Finance, Industry and Trade, Tax, Customs, State Bank... have all taken strong action: removing capital difficulties, promoting fast customs clearance, supporting businesses to take advantage of FTAs, providing market information, and promoting supply chain connections with FDI.
As a result, local export turnover reached 76.23 billion USD in 10 months, up 4.87%. This is a testament to role of localities in maintaining national export growth momentum, especially at the end of the year.
Talking to reporters of Industry and Trade Newspaper, economic expert Nguyen Minh Phong said that breakthrough of key industries, combined with the spillover effects of FTAs, is creating a great opportunity for Vietnam to reach the 900 billion USD mark in import-export turnover by 2025. To achieve this goal, ministries and businesses need to continue to expand the market by making the most of FTA network. In addition, accelerate green transformation and make supply chain transparent.
In addition, businesses need to increase rate of deep processing to increase added value. Form a modern logistics chain, reduce export costs. Coordinate closely with the Vietnamese trade office system abroad. FTAs have been, are and will continue to be the key “external engine” to help Vietnam’s trade maintain its growth momentum, affirm its position in global value chain and move towards higher milestones in the following years.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn