Hanoi, December 26, 2025 – The Europe Today: Việtnam’s total trade turnover has exceeded US$900 billion for the first time, marking a historic milestone in the country’s economic integration, according to the General Department of Việtnam Customs (GDVC).
At a ceremony held on December 25 to announce the achievement, the GDVC said total trade turnover was expected to reach US$900 billion by December 26, 2025—the highest level ever recorded. For the full year of 2025, Việtnam’s total trade value is estimated at US$920 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 16.9 per cent.
Imports are projected at US$449.41 billion, up 18 per cent, while exports are estimated at US$470.59 billion, an increase of 15.9 per cent. With these results, Việtnam has officially joined the group of the world’s 25 largest trading economies.
According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Việtnam currently ranks 21st globally in exports and 20th in imports, climbing 11 and 12 places respectively compared to a decade ago. The country has also maintained a trade surplus for 10 consecutive years, with the surplus in 2025 estimated at US$21.2 billion.
The GDVC reported that in 2025, the total import-export turnover of the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector is expected to exceed US$600 billion for the first time, reaching approximately US$663 billion. This accounts for 72 per cent of the country’s total trade value and contributes nearly 99 per cent of overall trade growth. Meanwhile, the import-export value of domestic enterprises is estimated at around US$257 billion, remaining largely unchanged from the previous year.
Speaking at the ceremony, GDVC Deputy Director General Nguyễn Văn Thọ noted that global and regional economic conditions in 2025 continued to face significant uncertainties, while Việt Nam was also affected by natural disasters, storms and floods that posed challenges to production, business activities and economic growth. Despite these difficulties, the country achieved positive outcomes, most notably surpassing the US$900 billion trade milestone for the first time.
He said the achievement reaffirmed Việtnam’s status as a highly open economy with deep international integration and a bright spot in regional and global trade. The milestone, he added, reflects the Party and Government’s timely direction through resolutions, programmes and plans aimed at promoting production and business, stabilising the macroeconomy and enhancing national competitiveness.
The results were also attributed to the strong efforts of the business community and the coordinated involvement of ministries and sectors, including the Ministry of Finance and the customs sector. These efforts were supported by measures to facilitate import-export activities, effectively utilise free trade agreements, expand markets, develop logistics and reduce costs for businesses.
According to Thọ, the customs sector has implemented comprehensive reforms and modernisation initiatives, accelerated digital transformation, facilitated trade, strengthened inter-agency coordination through the National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window mechanisms, promptly addressed business difficulties, and expanded international cooperation in the customs field.
Looking ahead, the GDVC will continue to promote administrative procedure reforms, modernise customs operations, strengthen risk management and anti-smuggling efforts, reduce inspection rates and encourage legal compliance among enterprises, with the aim of further facilitating trade and enhancing Việt Nam’s position in international commerce.
Currently, Việtnam maintains trade relations with more than 230 countries and territories. China remains the country’s largest trading partner, with estimated bilateral trade of US$252 billion, followed by the United States at US$170 billion. Together, these two markets account for about 46 per cent of Việtnam’s total trade turnover and contribute 62 per cent of overall trade growth.
GDVC data show that Việtnam’s total trade value during the 2015–2024 period reached US$5.52 trillion. Trade turnover increased from about US$328 billion in 2015 to US$786 billion in 2024, representing a 2.4-fold increase over a decade.
The number of export products with annual turnover exceeding US$1 billion has also risen sharply, from 10 items in 2007 to 33 in 2023 and 36 in 2024. Việt Nam is expected to maintain 36 export items exceeding US$1 billion in 2025.
A key macroeconomic achievement has been Việtnam’s transition from persistent trade deficits to sustained trade surpluses. The country recorded its first trade surplus in 2012 and has maintained a surplus for 10 consecutive years since 2016. The surplus reached US$19.9 billion in 2020, peaked at a record US$28.3 billion in 2023, stood at US$24.9 billion in 2024, and is projected to remain at around US$21 billion in 2025.
