Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that as of November 2025, Vietnam's total import and export volume reached nearly US$840 billion, with a trade surplus exceeding US$20 billion. At the current growth rate, the annual foreign trade volume is expected to surpass the historical record of US$900 billion, ranking among the top 15 global traders and bringing it closer to the trillion-dollar target.
I. Strong Core Foreign Trade Data Demonstrates Resilience
Statistics show that from January to November 2025, Vietnam's total import and export volume reached US$840 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.2%, with a net increase of approximately US$123.38 billion. Exports reached US$430 billion (a year-on-year increase of 16.1%, with a net increase of US$59.77 billion), while imports reached US$409.6 billion (a year-on-year increase of 18.4%, with a net increase of US$63.61 billion), resulting in a trade surplus of over US$20.5 billion, providing solid support for international balance of payments and macroeconomic stability.
Foreign-invested enterprises performed exceptionally well, with total import and export volume reaching US$579.11 billion during the same period, a significant year-on-year increase of 25.1%, with a net increase of US$116.11 billion. Despite supply chain delays caused by torrential rains and floods in November, Vietnam's manufacturing sector continued to expand, with the PMI reaching 53.8 for the month, remaining above the expansion threshold for the third consecutive month. Andrew Harker, Global Economics Director at S&P Global, pointed out that Vietnam's manufacturing sector maintained its recovery momentum despite extreme weather, demonstrating a solid foundation and sustainable growth potential.
Looking back, Vietnam's total foreign trade exceeded $500 billion for the first time in 2019 and is now poised to reach the $900 billion mark, highlighting a significant improvement in its industrial productivity and enterprise adaptability. This also confirms its deep integration into the global industrial chain and its continued attractiveness to foreign investment. Export performance far exceeded the Ministry of Industry and Trade's initial growth target of 12%.
II. A Continued Strengthening of the Trade Foundation and Positive International Expectations
Vietnam's position in regional and global supply chains is becoming increasingly prominent, with several international institutions raising their economic growth forecasts for the country. United Overseas Bank (UOB) of Singapore raised its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Vietnam from 7.5% to 7.7%, primarily based on the strong performance of international trade and manufacturing. UOB also predicts that Vietnam will play a more significant role in manufacturing and emerging technologies over the next decade, contributing to ASEAN regional stability and economic integration.
Vietnam currently has 17 free trade agreements in effect, and tariff reductions and improved market access conditions have created significant opportunities for businesses, especially foreign-invested enterprises, to expand their markets. Leveraging its extensive network of free trade agreements and strategic geographical location, Vietnam's role in regional and global trade dialogues is continuously increasing.
Vu Chi Thanh, Director of the Vietnam Institute for Strategic Branding and Competitiveness, emphasized that as its manufacturing strength increases and foreign trade expands, Vietnam needs to shift from exporting low-priced goods to value creation, supply chain innovation, and national brand building.
III. Future Opportunities and Challenges Coexist
Vietnam's economy is expected to maintain steady growth in the future, with key supporting factors including: continued expansion of manufacturing and trade activities; continued foreign investment in high-value-added industries such as electronics and semiconductors; and broader export opportunities provided by the 17 free trade agreements.
At the same time, Vietnam also faces multiple challenges: agricultural, forestry, and fishery products need to increase the proportion of deep processing and added value; insufficient investment in R&D and innovation necessitates the promotion of national brand building; industrial exports need to adapt to increasingly stringent green and environmental standards; and the expansion of trade volume may trigger more trade remedy investigations and barriers. In response, Vietnamese enterprises need to proactively adapt to changes in international rules and properly mitigate related risks while seizing opportunities for opening up. (over)
