Improving quality, ensuring traceability
On the morning of September 9, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien chaired a trade promotion conference with the Vietnamese overseas trade system in August to discuss solutions to boost import and export.
Informing about the situation of the Chinese market, Mr. Nong Duc Lai - Vietnam Trade Advisor in China shared that the world's second largest economy is actively expanding foreign relations, especially in the fields of investment and trade. However, according to Mr. Nong Duc Lai, in parallel with the opening, China is tightening control of the quality of imported goods.
Regarding the current situation of import and export between Vietnam and China, according to Mr. Lai, data from Vietnam Customs shows that in the first 7 months of 2025, bilateral trade turnover reached 136.47 billion USD, an increase of 21.3% over the same period in 2024. Of which, Vietnam's exports reached 35 billion USD, up 7.1%; imports reached 101.4 billion USD, up 27.1%, leading to a trade surplus of more than 66 billion USD.
The group of agricultural, forestry and fishery products recorded strong growth: Seafood increased by 44.1%, rice increased by 92.2%, cashew nuts increased by 47%. However, vegetables and fruits decreased by 15.1% and wood, wood products decreased by 12.9%. In contrast, the group of industrial processing and manufacturing goods decreased, especially phones, cameras and components with a double-digit decrease.
Regarding imports, most groups of goods have increased, mainly raw materials, components, accessories and machinery for production, reflecting the recovery of domestic demand but also threatening domestic products overwhelmed by imported consumer goods.
Mr. Lai analyzed that one of the main reasons why Vietnam's exports have not met expectations is the increase in domestic consumption demand in China but the priority is given to domestic products; the yuan depreciates against the USD, reducing importer profits. In addition, China has tightened food safety inspections, leading to many Vietnamese shipments, especially durian, being warned.
pointing out solutions, according to Mr. Lai, Vietnamese enterprises need to improve the quality of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, ensure comprehensive traceability; invest in processing and preservation technology to increase added value; promote trade promotion in the northern and northwestern provinces of China, where the demand for high-end foods is high; focus on packaging and designs suitable for taste. In particular, it is necessary to focus on investing in logistics and cold storage to stabilize supply.
Promoting trade deal negotiations
Regarding the US market, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung - Vietnam Trade Advisor in the US said that in the first 7 months of 2025, bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the US reached 114.5 billion USD, an increase of 41% over the same period in 2024. Vietnam's exports reached 106 billion USD, up 44%; imports from the US reached 8 billion USD, leading to a trade surplus of 98 billion USD.
However, according to Mr. Hung, the US market still has many potential challenges. Taxes and rules of origin are major barriers. Trade defense investigations have become increasingly intense in the first 7 months of the year.
To maintain growth momentum, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung suggested continuing to promote negotiations on trade agreements; coordinate with ministries to remove the impact of new policies, especially for seafood; promote trade promotion and provide timely information. For seafood, it is necessary to mobilize a transitional mechanism. For wood, businesses must be transparent in the origin and production process, increase forecasting and early warnings about trade defense.
In fact, China and the United States are both large markets with much room but full of challenges, with the common point being high requirements for quality, traceability and product transparency. To maintain sustainable export growth, according to the representative of the deal, Vietnamese enterprises need to proactively improve their competitiveness, from product quality, processing technology, designs to brand building.
