China is the largest exporter of goods to Vietnam in January when the country reports a trade deficit of 100 million USD. (Photo: ndh.vn)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamreported a trade deficit of 100 million USD in January, according to theGeneral Statistics Office (GSO).
The GSO said the country’sexports reached 19 billion USD in January, a year-on-year drop of 15.8 percentwhile its imports hit 19.1 billion USD, a decrease of 14.4 percent.
The domestic sector reported anestimated trade deficit of 2.4 billion USD while the foreign direct investment(FDI) sector posted a trade surplus of 2.3 billion USD.
Goods that still witnessedincreases included electronics, computers and components (2.6 billion USD, up5.6 percent), and timber and wooden products (1 billion USD, up 1.4 percent).
Meanwhile, the exports oftextiles and garments dropped by 21 percent to 2.6 billion USD, phones andtheir parts also worth 2.6 billion USD, down 22.4 percent; and footwear worth 1.6billion USD, down 9.7 percent.
This month, importers spent 3.7billion USD on electronics, computers and parts, down 8.5 percent from last January.They also spent 3.2 billion USD on machinery, equipment and components and 1.1billion USD on phones and parts, as much as the reduction of 6.8 percent anddown 9.5 percent respectively from last January.
Dropping 7.6 percent in theimport from Vietnam in January, the US still remained the country’s largestexport market spending 4.8 billion USD. Following were China with 3.7 billionUSD, up 32.8 percent and the European Union with 2.6 billion USD, down 30.8 percent.
Also declining 7.1 percent in exportsto Vietnam, China was the largest supplier with 6.2 billion USD of goods inJanuary. Followers were the Republic of Korea with 3.2 billion USD and ASEANwith a combined value of 2.4 billion USD as much as the reduction of 22.8 percentand 10.8 percent, respectively compared to last January.
Experts said import and exportactivities were often influenced by the long holidays, especially the Lunar NewYear that always sees a sharp rise in consumer goods imports, leading to atrade deficit./.
Vietnam had a trade deficit of more than 1 billion USD with Australia last year, one year after the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect.
After being relatively stable last year, the foreign exchange rate of the Vietnamese dong against the US dollar is forecast to be under greater pressure in 2020 due to both internal and external headwinds.
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.