As industrial production and trade showed signs of recovery in the second quarter of 2026, businesses continued to face mounting challenges from inflation, geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global logistics networks.

According to the National Statistics Office, imports of raw materials and components have been rising faster than exports, putting pressure on the trade balance. At the same time, instability in regions such as the Middle East has pushed up shipping and logistics costs, increasing the burden on enterprises’ working capital.

Beyond market volatility and geopolitical risks, sustainability standards are also reshaping global trade rules. Major export markets of Vietnam, including the EU, the US and Japan, are tightening requirements related to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), digital product passports and supply chain traceability.

Economist Le Quoc Phuong said global supply chains are being restructured toward greater safety, transparency and environmental sustainability rather than relying solely on low-cost advantages.

Vietnamese enterprises therefore face not only risks linked to freight costs and exchange rate fluctuations, but also growing pressure to comply with new international standards, he said, warning that companies without effective risk management systems and supply chain optimisation strategies could see their profit margins eroded by rising compliance costs.

In response, many exporters have begun restructuring their operations and shifting from passive production models to proactive optimisation of the entire supply chain, from sourcing materials to manufacturing, packaging and transportation.

Nguyen Van Le, Director of Binh Minh Interior Wood Manufacturing and Export JSC, said markets such as the EU and the US are imposing increasingly strict requirements on supply chain transparency, sustainable forestry certification and intellectual property protection.

“Instead of focusing solely on delivery speed, we are now required to ensure that the entire production process complies with market standards,” he said.

The company has invested in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to digitalise material tracking. Although the initial investment was significant, the system has helped reduce intermediate waste by around 15% while improving traceability capabilities for international partners.

Experts said the green transition and supply chain upgrading process require substantial financial and technical resources, making stronger policy support essential, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Nguyen Cam Trang, Deputy Director of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the ministry is working with Vietnam’s trade offices abroad and industry associations to develop an early warning database on trade defence measures and supply chain risks.

The ministry will also strengthen training programmes on risk management and coordinate with financial institutions to help businesses access preferential financing for production modernisation and compliance with international standards, she said.

Experts noted that supply chain optimisation and risk management are no longer isolated tasks for individual companies but a requirement for the entire export ecosystem. With guidance from regulators, support from industry experts and their own efforts, Vietnamese exporters are expected to enhance their competitiveness and turn technical barriers and market volatility into opportunities for sustainable growth in global markets./.