Vietnam registers trade surplus exceeding $7.5 billion within the first half of the year
**Vietnam's Booming Export Sector: A Record-Breaking First Half of 2025**
Vietnam's export sector has experienced remarkable growth in the first half of 2025, with the United States remaining the country's largest export destination, generating a turnover of $70.91 billion and a trade surplus of $62 billion.
Key export commodities for Vietnam include electronics and components, textiles and apparel, footwear, agricultural products, and aquatic products. The electronics sector, in particular, reached a milestone of approximately $29.26 billion in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring its critical role in Vietnam's economy.
The textiles sector saw an 8.4% increase in exports, while footwear and agricultural products grew by 3.2% and 2.9% respectively. The aquatic products sector showed moderate but positive growth.
The export growth in Vietnam has been substantial, with a notable increase of 14.3% in 2024 and a further 17% in May 2025. The electronics sector, particularly phones and accessories, saw a 5.5% growth year-over-year.
However, the recent U.S.-Vietnam trade agreement has introduced a 20% tariff on various Vietnamese imports, which could impact Vietnam's export strategy and growth. This agreement reflects ongoing trade dynamics and the need for Vietnam to adapt to changing global trade policies.
In June alone, export turnover reached $39.49 billion, bringing the total merchandise trade turnover in the first half of 2025 to $432.03 billion. The trade surplus in the first half of 2025 stood at $7.63 billion.
Nguyen Thi Huong, Director General of the General Statistics Office, emphasizes the need to boost trade promotion, remove barriers, and facilitate the consumption of agricultural, fishery, and forestry products. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is finalizing mechanisms and policies to support the development of sustainable agricultural supply chains and enhance the reputation of Vietnamese goods internationally.
The foreign-invested sector accounted for $30.85 billion in exports in the first six months of 2025. Processed industrial goods led exports, generating $194.28 billion in the first six months of 2025. Nine export items surpassed the $5 billion mark, and the total exports for the first half of 2025 were valued at $219.83 billion, an increase of 14.4% compared to the same period last year.
Imports in the first half of 2025 totalled $212.2 billion, rising 17.9% compared to the same period last year. The Ministry of Industry and Trade urges enterprises to use 17 free trade agreements to diversify markets, enhance product quality, and add value.
Imports in June 2025 reached $36.66 billion, down 6.1% from May but up 20.2% year-on-year. Vietnam posted trade deficits of $55.6 billion with China, $14.6 billion with South Korea, and $7.5 billion with ASEAN in the first half of 2025.
The TNG Garment Company in Thai Nguyen exports millions of garment products each month, but specific data about its exports is not provided in this paragraph. The Ministry of Industry and Trade continues to implement measures to help businesses access capital, adopt advanced technologies, and protect exporters' interests.
Overall, Vietnam's export growth continues to be driven by electronics and textiles, while imports focus on supporting these sectors with machinery, electronics, and raw materials. The trade agreements and tariffs imposed by major trading partners like the U.S. will influence Vietnam's export strategies and economic growth in the coming months.
- The electronics sector in Vietnam, a key contributor to its economy, recorded a growth of approximately $29.26 billion in the first quarter of 2025, with the finance sector likely providing the necessary capital for its expansion.
- The textiles sector in Vietnam saw an 8.4% increase in exports, reflecting the country's thriving culture and creativity, which are essential elements in the design and production of textiles.
- The adoption of AI in various sectors, including finance, business, and markets, could potentially help Vietnam adapt to the changing global trade policies, as it enables the analysis of vast data sets to make informed decisions about its export strategy.
- The environmental impact of Vietnam's export-driven growth, particularly in sectors like agriculture and aquatic products, should not be ignored. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's focus on sustainable agricultural supply chains will ensure that economic development aligns with the preservation of the environment.
