Vietnam's trade turnover hits $920 billion, enters global top tier
Vietnam has placed itself among the world’s top 25 trading economies, driven by strong export growth, rising global rankings and deeper integration into global trade networks.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam’s total import-export turnover is projected to reach US$920 billion in 2025, placing the country among the world’s 25 largest trading economies, according to the General Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance.
The figure represents a strong 17% year-on-year increase, highlighting the resilience and recovery momentum of Vietnam’s trade sector despite persistent global uncertainties, the department said on December 25.
Lach Huyen deep-water port, part of the Haiphong port complex, is among Vietnam’s most modern and largest seaports today. Photo: Cong Thuong e-Magazine
Imports in 2025 are forecast at $449.4 billion, up 18%, while exports are expected to reach $470.6 billion, an increase of 16%.
Nguyen Van Tho, Director General of the General Department of Customs, attributed the strong performance to coordinated efforts to mitigate economic headwinds, restore production and business activity, facilitate trade flows and capitalize more effectively on free trade agreements.
Vietnam’s growing stature in global trade is also reflected in data from the World Trade Organization, according to Tho.
Vietnam now ranks 21st worldwide in exports and 20th in imports, climbing 11 places in exports and 12 places in imports compared with a decade ago.
In 2025, the country is expected to record a trade surplus of US$21.2 billion, marking the 10th consecutive year of surplus. Notably, Vietnam has maintained a surplus exceeding US$20 billion for three consecutive years, signaling a more stable and increasingly mature export-oriented economy.
Foreign-invested enterprises (FDI) continue to play a dominant role in trade expansion. In 2025, total import-export turnover of the FDI sector is projected to exceed US$600 billion for the first time, reaching a record US$663 billion, up 25% year-on-year and accounting for 72% of Vietnam’s total trade value.
The FDI sector is expected to contribute nearly 99% of overall trade growth, while turnover by domestic enterprises is forecast to remain largely unchanged at around $257 billion.
In terms of export structure, 36 of 45 commodity groups are expected to record export values exceeding $1 billion in 2025. Among them, eight groups surpassed $10 billion, generating a combined $319 billion, equivalent to 68% of total exports.
Processed industrial products remain the backbone of Vietnam’s exports, with turnover approaching $400 billion, up 16.6%, and accounting for more than 85% of total export value.
Agricultural and aquatic products are projected to reach nearly $44.5 billion, an increase of 14.1%, while fuels and minerals contribute about 1%.
Vietnam’s cumulative trade value has reached $5.5 trillion, rising sharply from $328 billion in 2015 to $786 billion in 2024.
Since joining the WTO in 2007, the country has steadily crossed major trade milestones, culminating in the $900 billion threshold in 2025.
Vietnam currently maintains trade relations with more than 230 countries and territories, including 34 export markets and 24 import markets each exceeding $1 billion in value.
China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade estimated at $252 billion, up 26.5%, followed by the United States at $170 billion, also up 26.5%.
