Key export goods play a "backbone" role.
2025 marked a significant step forward for Vietnam's foreign trade as import and export activities continue to maintain high growth momentum, despite complex fluctuations of global economy and trade. Not only has scale expanded, but import and export picture over the past year also shows positive movements in structure of industries, market and adaptability of Vietnamese businesses in an increasingly integrated environment.
Achievements have laid an important foundation for Vietnam to consolidate its position in global trade chain, while opening up new opportunities for improving quality of growth and developing key export industries towards high value-added, green and sustainable development. In this context, reviewing import and export results for 2025 is significant not only for summarizing achievements but also for affirming correct direction of policies and the leading role of institutions in supporting businesses to expand into international markets.
Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, Deputy Director of Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that 2025 continued to be a successful year for Vietnam's foreign trade, not only in terms of export turnover but also in quality of growth and ability to adapt to unpredictable fluctuations of global economy and trade.
According to Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, export turnover in 2025 reached over 475 billion USD, an increase of more than 17%. Import turnover reached over 455 billion USD, an increase of over 19.4%. “Thus, for the whole year of 2025, Vietnam continued to have a trade surplus of approximately 20 billion USD, a positive result that will significantly contribute to macroeconomic stability and strengthen confidence of investors and international partners”, he emphasized.
Analyzing export structure in more detail, Mr. Tran Quoc Toan stated that in 2025, eight product groups achieved a turnover of over 10 billion USD, accounting for approximately 72% of total export turnover and contributing up to 94% of the country's total export value. Among these, electronics, computers and components led with a turnover of over 107 billion USD; followed by machinery, equipment tools and other parts at approximately 59 billion USD; telephones and components at approximately 56 billion USD; textiles and garments at over 39 billion USD; footwear at approximately 24 billion USD; and transportation vehicles and parts at over 17 billion USD. Wood and wood products exceeded US$17 billion; seafood exceeded US$11 billion.
According to Deputy Director of Import-Export Department, this picture shows a positive shift in structure of export goods towards increasing proportion of high value-added items, especially in processing and manufacturing industries.
"Industries such as electronics, textiles, footwear and wood products continue to affirm their position in international market, playing a pivotal role in export growth", Mr. Tran Quoc Toan assessed.
Notably, not only industrial sectors, but also agricultural products are gradually improving in quality and value. Vietnamese rice, coffee and seafood are increasingly meeting stringent standards of demanding markets, thereby enhancing brand value and penetrating deeper into high-end markets.
On import side, according to Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, in 2025, 47 imported items reached a value of over 1 billion USD, of which 9 items exceeded 10 billion USD, accounting for approximately 64.8% of total import value. Main imported items are computers, electronic products and components; machinery and equipment; telephones and components; fabrics; textile raw materials and accessories; base metals and iron and steel.
“This import structure shows that Vietnam's import are still focused on items serving production and export, reflecting close link between import and domestic production capacity”, Deputy Director of Import-Export Department analyzed, while affirming that this is an important factor helping key export industries maintain competitiveness.
Regarding markets, the United States continued to be Vietnam's largest export market in 2025 with a value exceeding 153 billion USD. Conversely, China remains the largest import market, playing a key role in supplying raw materials for production, followed by South Korea and ASEAN countries.
Expanding markets through FTAs and improving institutions
According to Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, one of important drivers helping Vietnam's exports maintain growth momentum is expansion and diversification of markets through network of 17 free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed.
In coming time, Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to negotiate and implement new agreements, while supporting businesses to better utilize benefits from FTAs. Mr. Tran Quoc Toan particularly emphasized role of rules of origin.
“Issuance and improvement of rules of origin regulations help businesses understand requirements of each market, take advantage of tariff preferences, determine market strategies and enhance competitiveness”, Mr. Toan said.
Alongside integration, Ministry of Industry and Trade has been perfecting legal framework for import and export activities. Law on Foreign Trade Management, Decree 69/2018/ND-CP detailing some provisions of Law on Foreign Trade Management and related guiding documents have created a transparent legal foundation, helping businesses orient their production and business activities, while enhancing confidence of international partners.
“Lists of prohibited, restricted, licensed or conditionally imported and exported goods, or those related to national security and defense, are clearly defined, thereby ensuring a balance between trade facilitation and risk management,” Mr. Tran Quoc Toan emphasized.
In addition, programs such as National Brand and Reputable Export Enterprise programs continue to be implemented, contributing to enhancing image and reputation of Vietnamese businesses in international market.
In coming time, Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to improve legal framework, implement E-commerce Law, amend regulations related to foreign trade management and recommend that businesses proactively take advantage of preferential treatment from FTAs, strengthen production-export linkages, focus on green production, environmental protection and social responsibility. According to Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, these are increasingly decisive factors for Vietnamese goods to stand firm and go further in large, demanding markets.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn