Vietnam’s foreign trade to exceed 500 billion USD in 2019
Vietnam’s foreign trade turnover is likely to surpass 500 billion USD in 2019, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said at a press conference in Hanoi on December 12.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s foreign tradeturnover is likely to surpass 500 billion USD in 2019, Deputy Minister ofIndustry and Trade Do Thang Hai said at a press conference in Hanoi on December12.
The total import-export turnover inJanuary-November was estimated at 472 billion USD, he noted.
In the 11-month period, Vietnam exported 241.7billion USD worth of goods, a year-on-year rise of 7.9 percent. The country spent 230.7 billion USD on imports, up 6.6percent from the same period last year.
Hai said these outcomes were achieved in thecontext of sluggish global economy due to increasing risks, challenges, andtrade protectionism.
Despites difficulties in 2019, the VietnameseGovernment and ministries have spared no effort to simplify administrative andinvestment procedures, said Nguyen Cam Trang, deputy head of the Import-ExportDepartment under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
To date, Vietnam has joined negotiation andsigning of 16 free trade agreements (FTAs), with 12 already signed and cominginto force, she said.
The Government and the MoIT have paid specialattention to the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreementfor Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the dissemination of information on otherFTAs, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), she added.
According to Deputy Minister Hai, the Governmenthas closely directed the amendment of regulations relating to trade, customs, thenational one-stop shop mechanism, specialized inspection and tradefacilitiation.
Besides, logistics infrastructure has beensignificantly improved, he said, adding that Vietnam was ranked 39th among the160 surveyed countries in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) in 2018, up 25places compared to two years ago, rising to the third position in theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He said the ministry will actively employmeasures to realise the National Assembly’s set target of 7-8 percent growth inexport turnover in 2019./.
The reality of export-import and foreign direct investment (FDI) shift in the wood industry in Vietnam were the main focus of a recent workshop in Hanoi.
The National Assembly voted to pass a resolution on the socio-economic development plan for 2020 during the ongoing eighth session in Hanoi on November 11.
Mobile phones and components, computers, electronic products and spare parts are the two largest foreign currency earners of the country, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
With a record trade surplus of 9.12 billion USD over the first 11 months and year-on-year export growth of 7.8 percent, experts believe that 2019 will be the fourth straight year Vietnam will post a trade surplus.
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 (Source: VNA) 
