Vietnam posts record $900bn trade, ranks among world’s top 25 economies by trade value

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Van Tho, director of the department, said the result underscored the resilience and growth of Vietnam’s trade sector despite mounting global and domestic challenges.

He noted that the global and regional trade environment in 2025 remained complex, marked by intensifying strategic competition among major economies and reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S., which impacted goods flows as well as production and import–export activities.

Domestically, repeated natural disasters, storms, and floods disrupted production and business operations, weighing on overall economic growth.

“Despite these challenges, Vietnam’s economy achieved positive results, with total import–export turnover reaching the $900 billion mark for the first time—an all-time high,” Tho said.

The 2025 milestone represents a ninefold increase since 2007, when Vietnam first crossed the $100 billion trade threshold after joining the World Trade Organization early that year.

$920bn trade expected for 2025

Vietnam’s total trade for 2025 is projected to reach $920 billion, up 16.9 percent, or $133.07 billion, from 2024.

Imports are estimated at $449.41 billion, an 18-percent increase, while exports are forecast at $470.59 billion, rising by 15.9 percent.

Foreign-invested enterprises are set to account for a record $663 billion in trade, up 25 percent from last year and representing 72 percent of the national total.

Domestic firms are expected to contribute $257 billion, roughly unchanged from 2024.

The trade surplus for 2025 is estimated at $21.2 billion, reflecting a $48.2-billion surplus from foreign-invested enterprises, offset by a $27-billion deficit in the domestic sector.

Processed industrial goods drive exports

In 2025, an estimated 36 of 45 product groups are expected to record exports exceeding $1 billion each, with eight groups surpassing $10 billion and collectively totaling $319 billion, or 68 percent of the country’s total exports.

Processed industrial goods, which remain the dominant export sector, projected at $400 billion, up 16.6 percent from 2024, accounting for roughly 85.2 percent of overall exports.

Agricultural and seafood products are expected to reach $44.46 billion, increasing by 14.1 percent and representing about 9.5 percent of total exports.

On the import side, 49 of 53 product groups are projected to exceed $1 billion, with eight groups surpassing $10 billion and totaling $281 billion, or 63 percent of total imports.

Key imports include computers, phones, components, machinery, textile and footwear raw materials, steel, and other metals.

China remains Vietnam’s largest trade partner

Vietnam trades with over 230 countries and territories, with China remaining its largest partner in 2025, posting an estimated $252 billion in bilateral trade, up 26.5 percent year on year.

The U.S. ranks second at $170 billion, also up 26.5 percent.

Combined, trade with China and the U.S. makes up 46 percent of the country’s total trade.

The U.S. remains Vietnam’s top export destination, reaching a record $151.85 billion this year, or 32 percent of total exports, up $32 billion from 2024.

China continues to be the main source of imports, supplying $183 billion in goods, roughly 41 percent of total imports, an increase of $39 billion from the previous year.

Vietnam enters top 25 global trading economies

Reaching the $900 billion milestone has propelled Vietnam into the group of the top 25 economies by import–export turnover, according to the Department of Vietnam Customs.

The achievement highlights both the market’s scale and the country’s growth potential, supported by ongoing reforms, stronger domestic enterprise capacity, and effective use of free trade agreements.

According to the WTO, Vietnam now ranks 21st in global exports and 20th in imports, climbing 11 and 12 positions respectively over the past decade.

The country has maintained a merchandise trade surplus for 10 consecutive years, exceeding $20 billion annually over the past three years, reinforcing its position as an economy with consistent trade surpluses.