According to the latest report released by the General Statistics Office, Vietnam’s external trade in the first nine months of 2025 continued to record positive results, maintaining a strong growth momentum compared to the same period last year.

In September alone, total import-export turnover was estimated at approximately USD 82.5 billion. Of this, exports reached USD 42.67 billion, down 1.7% from the previous month, while imports stood at USD 39.82 billion, up 0.4%.

In the third quarter of 2025, export turnover reached USD 128.57 billion, an increase of 18.4% year-on-year and 9.6% quarter-on-quarter. This marks the highest quarterly growth since the beginning of the year, reflecting a strong recovery in international trade activities.

Nine-month trade value surpasses USD 680 billion

Cumulatively, Vietnam’s total trade value in the first nine months of 2025 reached USD 680.66 billion, up 17.3% from the same period last year, equivalent to an increase of more than USD 100 billion. Of this, exports totaled USD 348.74 billion, up 16% (or USD 48 billion), and imports reached USD 331.92 billion, up 18.8% (or USD 52.42 billion).

Foreign-invested sector drives export growth

During the period, the domestic sector recorded export revenue of USD 85.41 billion, up 2% year-on-year, accounting for 24.5% of total exports. The foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) contributed USD 263.33 billion, up 21.4%, accounting for 75.5%.

On the import side, the domestic sector reached USD 105.67 billion, up 4.6%, while the foreign-invested sector stood at USD 226.25 billion, up 26.8%.

As a result, Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of USD 16.82 billion over the nine-month period, lower than the USD 21.15 billion surplus recorded in the same period last year. Notably, the domestic sector posted a trade deficit of USD 20.26 billion, while the foreign-invested sector registered a surplus of USD 37.08 billion.

Exports to the US and China see robust growth

The United States remained Vietnam’s largest export market, with turnover reaching USD 112.8 billion, up 27.7% compared to the same period in 2024. Exports to China amounted to USD 49.6 billion, up 11.3%. Other key markets also posted positive growth: the EU with USD 41.7 billion (up 9.3%), ASEAN USD 28.5 billion (up 2.9%), South Korea USD 21.4 billion (up 12.4%), and Japan USD 19.7 billion (up 9%).

Of particular note, exports to China showed clear signs of recovery in the third quarter, following a period of sluggish growth earlier in the year.

China remains Vietnam’s largest source of imports

On the import side, China continued to be Vietnam’s largest supplier, with import turnover reaching USD 134.4 billion, up 27.9%. Other major import sources included South Korea with USD 44.4 billion (up 7%), ASEAN USD 39.1 billion, Japan USD 18.2 billion (up 13.2%), the US USD 13.7 billion (up 23.6%), and the EU USD 12.9 billion (up 4.1%).

In terms of trade balance by market, Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of USD 99.1 billion with the US (up 28.3%), USD 28.8 billion with the EU (up 11.8%), and USD 1.5 billion with Japan (down 26.2%). Meanwhile, the country posted trade deficits of USD 84.8 billion with China (up 40.2%), USD 23 billion with South Korea (up 2.4%), and USD 10.6 billion with ASEAN (up 65.4%).

Exports remain a key economic driver

The nine-month performance reaffirms the vital role of exports in supporting Vietnam’s economic growth, especially amid ongoing global uncertainties. The sustained trade surplus and strong momentum from major markets serve as encouraging signals for export activities in the final months of the year.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam