Vietnam’s Export-Import Value Surpasses USD 600 Billion: What It Means for Trade & Logistics
Vietnam has crossed a major threshold in its export-import economy. As of September 15, 2025, the country’s total trade volume reached more than USD 637 billion, according to preliminary figures from the General Department of Customs. This milestone signals both enormous growth and fresh challenges for the country’s logistics and supply-chain sectors.
In the first half of September alone (Sept 1–15), Vietnam achieved a trade volume of over USD 39 billion, with exports worth about USD 19.2 billion and imports nearly USD 19.84 billion, resulting in a trade deficit for that period of over USD 600 million.
From the start of 2025 up to mid-September, exports totaled approximately USD 325.26 billion, while imports reached USD 311.95 billion, putting Vietnam in a trade surplus of USD 13.31 billion.
Major export categories include computers, electronics, and components at USD 4.85 billion; machinery, tools, spare parts at USD 2.52 billion; phones and components at USD 2.37 billion; and textiles at USD 1.5 billion.
On the import side, computers, electronics, and components lead with about USD 7.07 billion, followed by machinery & equipment at USD 2.74 billion.
During a recent government meeting, the Ministry of Industry & Trade projected that the export-import turnover for the full year of 2025 could reach a record USD 800 billion, assuming current trends continue. This projection reflects strong demand from both export markets and domestic consumption, but relies heavily on stable logistics, favorable global conditions, and effective trade policies.
These trade figures have multiple consequences for Vietnam’s logistics and supply-chain ecosystem:
Increased Pressure on Infrastructure
Ports, warehouses, transportation corridors, and border checkpoints must handle growing volumes. Bottlenecks at key ports, delays in customs, and insufficient last-mile delivery capacity may become more acute unless swifter improvements are made.
Need for Efficiency & Technology Adoption
To support large export volumes and maintain competitiveness, businesses and logistics providers must invest more in process optimization, digital tracking systems, warehouse automation, and better connectivity between modes of transport.
Opportunities for Growth in Export Sectors
Sectors that are leading exports—electronics, machinery, textiles—present opportunities for related services: packaging, quality control, freight forwarding, and cold chain (where relevant). These sectors will drive demand for specialized logistics.
Trade Policy & Regulatory Environment
Continued success will depend on maintaining favorable trade agreements, reducing import/export barriers, and ensuring regulations and customs procedures keep pace with the volume and complexity of international trade.
While the numbers are encouraging, several risks could affect Vietnam’s ability to sustain this growth:
Global economic instability or declines in demand from major trading partners.
Rising costs in logistics (fuel, labor, shipping rates) that could cut margins.
Infrastructure congestion and capacity limits.
Inflation and supply chain disruptions.
To capitalize on this momentum, both public sector and private stakeholders should focus on:
Expanding and modernizing port and transport infrastructure.
Investing in digital and green logistics solutions.
Strengthening export product quality and standards.
Enhancing trade facilitation and customs efficiency.
Vietnam’s crossing of the USD 600+ billion trade volume barrier is a landmark achievement, reflecting the country’s strong export capabilities and growing economic resilience. With exports slightly outpacing imports over the year so far, and forecasts pointing toward further growth, the logistics and trade sectors now face the test of scaling up to meet demand. If successful, Vietnam could finish 2025 with its highest trade volume ever, unlocking new opportunities and setting the stage for sustained international integration.
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