Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of 16.25 billion USD as of August 15, according to the General Department of Customs.
The country’s total import and export turnover hit over 402 billion USD in the period, including 209.43 billion USD in export value, representing a yearly decline of 10.1%, or 23.5 billion USD in comparison with the same period last year.
In the first half of August, Vietnam's trade with the rest of the world was estimated at 28.6billion USD, of which export value decreased by10.8 % year-on-year to 14.4 billion USD.
Topexports include phones and accessories (2.42 billion USD); computers,electronic products and components (2.38 billion USD); garments and textiles (1.55billion USD); and machinery and equipment (1.53 billion USD).
Meanwhile, the country spent 14.2 billion USD on importing commodities in the reviewed period, up 5.3% against the same period last year.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said it will continue to support businesses to optimise benefits from free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA),and the UK – Vietnam FTA (UKVFTA), in an effort to boost exports amid a globalmarket slump.
The ministry has also worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developmentto negotiate with China to open its market to other fruits andvegetables of Vietnam such as green-skinned pomelo, fresh coconut, avocado,pineapple, star apple, lemon, and cantaloupe./.
Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of about 15.23 billion USD in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 1.34% over the same period last year, according to data released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) on July 29.
The US has concluded its investigation into Vietnam’s alleged import and use of timber illegally harvested or traded, and removed Vietnam from its currency manipulation list. After the move, the trade relations between the two countries are enjoying stronger growth.
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports raked in 29.13 billion USD in the first seven months of 2023, while its imports reached 23.25 billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 5.88 billion USD, up 3.4% year-on-year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported.
Although Vietnam's exports have shown signs of recovery, synchronous solutions are needed to support businesses in reducing costs, improving competitiveness, and expanding markets.
Vietnam’s economy has begun to gather steam again since the start of the third quarter of this year, helping consolidate confidence of businesses and investors, experts have said.
The new Government decree also simplifies loan procedures while expanding credit incentives to include organic and circular agriculture, allowing them to access preferential terms similar to those of high-tech and value-chain based agricultural production.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
