During the first government meeting of 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised the need to foster sustainable and balanced trade relationships with major partners in 2025.

Slight decline in import-export activities

According to the latest report released by the General Statistics Office, total import-export turnover in January 2025 reached 63.15 billion USD, down 10.5% from the previous month and 3.5% year on year. Exports declined by 4.3%, while imports fell by 2.6%, resulting in a trade surplus of 3.03 billion USD. Specifically, export turnover in January 2025 was 33.09 billion USD, down 6.9% from the previous month and 4.3% year on year. Of this, processed industrial goods accounted for 29.43 billion USD, making up 89.0% of total exports.

On the other hand, import turnover in January 2025 reached 30.06 billion USD, down 14.1% from the previous month and 2.6% year on year. Regarding the import structure, production materials accounted for 28.26 billion USD, making up 94.0% of total imports. The US remained Vietnam’s largest export market in the first month of the year, with an export value of 9.8 billion USD; meanwhile, China was Vietnam’s largest import market, with imports reaching 11.6 billion USD. Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of 3.03 billion USD in January 2025. Specifically, the domestic sector had a trade deficit of 1.4 billion USD, while the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) posted a trade surplus of 4.43 billion USD. With total import-export turnover reaching 63.15 billion USD and a trade surplus of 3 billion USD, following the record level in 2024, Vietnam's trade activities showed a slight decline in the first month of 2025. This dip can be partly attributed to the Lunar New Year holiday.

Signs of recovery gradually returning

According to economic experts, import-export activities have been gradually rebounding since the Lunar New Year holiday. This positive trend is evident in the bustling trade at border gates in the early days of Spring 2025. On the morning of February 5, trade activities officially resumed at the temporary Km3+4 Hai Yen pontoon bridge border crossing in Mong Cai City after the holiday break. By 9:00 AM, the Mong Cai Border Gate Customs Branch had processed 47 export declarations from businesses and border residents, involving 96 trucks, a total cargo weight of 2,374 tonnes, and an export value exceeding 2.3 million USD. The main export goods included fresh fruits, frozen fish and shrimp, live lobsters, live clams, and tapioca starch.

Meanwhile, Bac Luan II Border Gate (Mong Cai City) had already resumed pre-scheduled clearance operations from January 31 to February 4, returning to regular clearance on February 5. As of that morning, all import-export activities at Mong Cai’s border gates and crossings have fully resumed, marking a positive start for trade in the new year.

Import and export activities have gradually recovered following the Lunar New Year holiday. (Photo: Hai Nam)

In January 2025, the total import-export turnover at Mong Cai Border Gate reached 234.7 million USD, marking a 53% increase compared to the same period last year. Of this, exports totalled 133.18 million USD, while imports stood at 101.56 million USD. Additionally, the number of businesses processing import-export procedures increased by 46 enterprises, bringing the total to 352 companies.

At major border gates across the country, such as Lao Cai and Lang Son, clearance operations continued uninterrupted throughout the Lunar New Year holiday. Notably, all border gates and specialised freight transport routes in Lang Son Province officially resumed customs clearance on February 5, following the temporary suspension due to the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.

Despite facing new regulations, durian exports remain a bright spot of Vietnamese trade. Since January 10, 2025, China has enforced stricter requirements, mandating that all durian shipments from Vietnam and Thailand must include a certificate verifying the absence of Auramine O — a potentially carcinogenic substance. Only labs approved by China are authorised to conduct these tests. This policy followed China's discovery of Auramine O residues in a Thai durian shipment in late 2024. By the end of January, China had approved nine Vietnamese testing laboratories, and Vietnam has been continuing negotiations to expand this list for smoother trade.

According to Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T Group, the company has exported an average of 320 tonnes of durian and nearly 500 tonnes of coconut per month. Vietnamese exporters have successfully anticipated China’s rising durian demand, securing consistent orders and strong revenue growth.

In the textile and garment sector, Than Duc Viet, CEO of Garment 10 Corporation, reported positive business signals right after the Lunar New Year holiday. Even while Vietnam was on holiday, Garment 10’s international partners continued operations. As a result, orders for the second quarter of 2025 have already been confirmed, ensuring stable jobs for workers through mid-year. To achieve double-digit growth in 2025, Garment 10 plans to expand its presence in both export and domestic markets. While maintaining strong trade with the EU, the US, and Japan, the company is also actively developing markets in Asia, the Republic of Korea, and China.

Promoting harmonious and sustainable trade with major partners

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has set an ambitious target for 12% export growth in 2025, aiming to reach 451 billion USD in export revenue. To achieve this double-digit expansion, key export industries must accelerate production and seize market opportunities from the beginning of the year.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on streamlining administrative procedures to maximise convenience for businesses. In addition, the ministry will advise on the development of the most favourable policies for import and export activities and manage imports under tariff quotas. It will also enhance market research and issue timely trade alerts, especially for border trade as well as strengthening measures against origin fraud.

During the first government meeting of 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh commended the resilience of Vietnam’s trade sector and emphasised the need to foster sustainable and balanced trade relationships with major partners. He directed efforts to leverage Vietnam’s 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to optimise market access; expand trade with emerging markets, including the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa; and negotiate and sign new trade frameworks to sustain export growth.