Vietnam's economy ended the first 11 months of 2025 with signs of improvement in most areas, from import-export, foreign investment to tourism and domestic consumption.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the total import-export turnover of goods reached 762.44 billion USD, an increase of 17.4% over the same period in 2024. Of which, exports reached 391 billion USD (up 16.2%), imports reached 371.44 billion USD (up 18.6%), bringing the trade balance to a trade surplus of 19.56 billion USD. This is the highest level in the past 5 years, clearly reflecting the economic recovery in the context of many fluctuations in global trade.
Highlights from industrial processing exports
The structure of export goods continues to shift in a positive direction when the group of processing industrial goods accounts for nearly 89% of total turnover, reaching more than 346.7 billion USD. Key industries including electronics, computers and components (87.3 billion USD, up nearly 48%), phones and components (48.7 billion USD), machinery and equipment (48.4 billion USD), as well as textiles, footwear, wood and agricultural products all maintained a stable increase.
The United States is still Vietnam's largest export market, with a turnover of more than 126 billion USD, up 28.2% over the same period; trade surplus to the US reached 111 billion USD. In the opposite direction, import of goods reached 371.44 billion USD, mainly input materials, machinery and components for production. China continues to be the largest import partner, with more than 150 billion USD, accounting for more than 40% of Vietnam's total import turnover.
Along with trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to play a key role. In 11 months, Vietnam attracted 33.69 billion USD in newly registered and additional capital, up 7.4% over the same period; realized capital reached 23.6 billion USD - the highest level in the past 5 years. The sharp increase in the number of new FDI projects shows the growing confidence of international investors in Vietnam's business environment and long-term prospects. The FDI sector currently accounts for nearly 76% of export turnover, but experts say it is necessary to promote the capacity of domestic enterprises to improve the sustainability of the economy.
Vietnamese exports are ready for a new boost in 2026
Speaking with Lao Dong, Dr. Le Duy Binh - Director of Economica Vietnam - said that the export prospects in 2026 continue to be positive thanks to the recovery of major economies such as the US, EU and Japan, along with global monetary policy to help increase demand for Vietnamese goods. However, he said that Vietnam's challenge is no longer to maintain a high growth rate, but to increase added value and autonomy of the economy.
Vietnam needs to shift its focus from increasing turnover to increasing value - that is, boosting domestic value in exports, increasing the role of domestic enterprises in the supply chain, and at the same time strongly developing service exports to reduce super-service imports at 9 - 14 billion USD per year, Dr. Binh emphasized.
He also forecasts that in 2026, Vietnam can maintain double-digit export growth momentum if it focuses on 4 priorities: Diversifying the market and making good use of free trade agreements; increasing domestic added value, reducing import dependence; promoting innovation in enterprises; and strongly expanding service exports, towards balancing overall trade.
According to Dr. Binh, the results of the first 11 months of 2025 show that the Vietnamese economy is recovering strongly and sustainably. However, to move into 2026 with a more solid foundation, Vietnam needs to shift from "increasing quantity" to "increasing quality", improving competitiveness and the real value of export goods - a factor that determines position in the global supply chain.
