According to the latest estimates from the Import-Export Department, Vietnam's international trade achieved a historic milestone in the first 10 months of the year, with total import and export turnover surpassing USD 1 trillion.
Trade turnover in October alone was estimated at USD 122.2 billion, up 47.6 per cent from the same month in 2025.
Shipping containers at Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Hai Long).
Exports in the first 10 months were estimated at USD 499 billion, an increase of 27.4 per cent year on year. The result is expected to support Vietnam's goal of achieving export growth of 15-16 per cent this year.
Exports grew in both the domestic economic sector and the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector. Processed and manufactured industrial goods remained the main driver, accounting for 87.4 per cent of total export turnover.
The Import-Export Department said exports also recorded positive growth in major markets, including China, the United States, the European Union, South Korea and ASEAN member states.
Vietnam recorded an estimated trade surplus of USD 6.8 billion in October, marking the second consecutive month of surplus. However, the country still posted an estimated goods trade deficit of around USD 12.7 billion for the first 10 months combined.
To achieve its targets, the department said it would continue to promote exports, diversify markets and strengthen businesses' capacity to comply with market requirements in the fourth quarter.
Priorities include making more effective use of free trade agreements (FTAs), expanding into new markets and improving early warnings about trade defence measures, tariff barriers, green standards, traceability requirements and rules of origin.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade also plans to help businesses improve product quality, build brands and make supply chains more transparent. Other priorities include promoting formal export channels, expanding agreements on agricultural plant and animal quarantine, investing in cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and standardising growing areas and packing facilities to meet individual market requirements.
The ministry is drafting a strategy for goods imports and exports through 2030, with a vision to 2045, aimed at boosting growth, increasing added value and diversifying markets.
Under the draft strategy, goods exports are targeted to grow by an average of 15-16 per cent annually from 2026 to 2030, while imports are projected to rise by 12-13 per cent a year. The strategy seeks to establish a sustainable trade surplus, averaging 3-6 per cent of total export turnover.
It also aims to raise the share of exports contributed by domestic businesses to 28-30 per cent by 2030, while increasing the proportion of processed and manufactured goods and products with high scientific and technological content.
In terms of market diversification, the draft sets a target of ensuring that by 2030 no single market accounts for more than 25 per cent of total exports or 35 per cent of total imports. Vietnam also aims to increase to more than 45 the number of export markets where turnover exceeds USD 1 billion.
