Illustrative photo
Vietnam Customs on December 25 held a ceremony to mark the country’s total import-export turnover surpassing USD 900 billion for the first time, the highest level ever recorded and a significant achievement in its international economic integration.
According to the agency’s estimates, total trade in 2025 reached about USD 920 billion, up 16.9 per cent year on year. Of the total, exports were valued at USD 470.59 billion, a year-on-year increase of 15.9 per cent, while imports amounted to USD 449.41 billion, up 18 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of around USD 21.2 billion. This marked the 10th consecutive year Vietnam has recorded a trade surplus.
With this result, Vietnam has joined the group of the world’s 25 largest trading economies. Data from the World Trade Organisation shows that Vietnam currently ranks 21st globally in exports and 20th in imports, up 11 and 12 places, respectively, from a decade ago. In 2025, the import-export turnover of the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector was estimated to exceed USD 600 billion for the first time, reaching around USD 663 billion, accounting for 72 per cent of Vietnam’s total and contributed up to 99 per cent to the overall trade growth. Meanwhile, the trade value of domestic enterprises stood at about USD 257 billion, largely unchanged from the previous year.
Vietnam currently maintains trade relations with more than 230 countries and territories. China remained its largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade estimated at USD 252 billion, followed by the United States at USD 170 billion. Together, the two markets accounted for about 46 per cent of Vietnam’s total trade and contributed 62 per cent of overall growth.
According to customs data, Vietnam’s total import-export value during the 2015-2024 period reached USD 5.52 trillion. Trade turnover rose from about USD 328 billion in 2015 to USD 786 billion in 2024, an increase of 2.4 times over a decade. The USD 900 billion threshold was officially crossed between December 22 and 26.
Previously, Vietnam’s trade activities had successively hit major milestones, including USD 100 billion in 2007 when the country joined the WTO; USD 200 billion in 2011; USD 300 billion in 2015; USD 400 billion in 2017; USD 500 billion in 2019; USD 700 billion in 2022; and a historic USD 900 billion in 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Tho noted that 2025 saw continued global and regional uncertainties, while domestically Vietnam was affected by natural disasters and floods that weighed on production and business activities. Despite these challenges, the economy still recorded positive results, with the trade sector emerging as a standout.
He emphasised that surpassing the USD 900 billion mark reaffirmed Vietnam’s position as a highly open economy with deep international integration and growing competitiveness in global trade. The achievement reflected the sound leadership of the Party, the decisive management of the Government, and the coordinated efforts of ministries, sectors and the business community.
In the coming period, the customs sector will continue to promote administrative reform, modernisation and digital transformation, strengthen risk management and anti-fraud measures, reduce inspection rates and encourage law compliance among enterprises, thereby further facilitating trade and enhancing Vietnam’s position in global supply chains.
