According to the latest preliminary statistics released by the Customs Department (Ministry of Finance), the value of Vietnam’s import and export goods in the first half of May 2025 (from May 1, 2025, to May 15, 2025) reached $36.09 billion, a decrease of 6.8% (equivalent to a decrease of $2.64 billion) compared to the performance in the second half of April 2025.
The results achieved in the first half of May 2025 brought the total import and export value of the country up to May 15 to $313.26 billion, an increase of 15.3%, equivalent to an increase of $41.53 billion in absolute terms compared to the same period in 2024.
Of this, the total import and export value of foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) reached $211.59 billion, up 15.5% (up $28.4 billion). In the first half of May 2025, the trade balance of goods showed a deficit of $2.32 billion. From the beginning of the year to May 15, the trade balance of goods surplus was $1.74 billion.
In particular, exports in the first half of May 2025 reached $16.88 billion, down 18.3% compared to the previous period in April 2025 (down $3.77 billion).
Export value in the first half of May 2025 decreased compared to the second half of April 2025 in the following groups of goods: machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts decreased by $513 million, equivalent to a decrease of 19.7%; textiles decreased by $401 million, down 22.8%; computers, electronic products, and components decreased by $394 million, down 8.9%…
Thus, up to May 15, 2025, the total export value of Vietnam reached $157.5 billion, up 13.3%, equivalent to an increase of $18.49 billion compared to the same period in 2024.
Some groups of goods with high growth rates include computers, electronic products, and components, which increased by $9.22 billion, or 38.3%; machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts increased by $2.66 billion, or 16.1%; and coffee increased by $1.52 billion, or 56.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
Statistics from the Customs Department also show that the export value of FIEs in the first half of May 2025 reached $13.24 billion, a decrease of 5.7%, equivalent to a decrease of $797 million compared to the second half of April 2025.
As of May 15, the total export value of this group of enterprises reached $112.36 billion, up 13.1%, or nearly $13 billion, compared to the same period last year, accounting for 71.3% of the country’s total export value.
On the import side, the value of Vietnam’s imports in the first half of May 2025 reached $19.21 billion, an increase of 6.2% (equivalent to an increase of $1.13 billion in absolute terms) compared to the performance in the second half of April 2025.
The import value in the first half of May 2025 increased compared to the second half of April 2025 mainly in the following groups of goods: computers, electronic products, and components increased by $933 million, or 16.7%; fabric of all kinds increased by $84 million, or 12.5%; machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts increased by $80 million, or 3.2%.
Thus, up to May 15, 2025, the total import value of the country reached $155.76 billion, an increase of 17.4% (equivalent to an increase of $23.04 billion) compared to the same period in 2024.
Some groups of goods with high growth rates include computers, electronic products, and components, which increased by $13.26 billion, or 36.7%; and machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts, which increased by $3.71 billion, or 22.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
The import value of FIEs in this period reached $13.9 billion, an increase of 25.8% (equivalent to an increase of $2.85 billion) compared to the second half of April 2025. As of May 15, the total import value of this group of enterprises reached $99.23 billion, an increase of 18.4% (equivalent to an increase of $15.4 billion) compared to the same period last year, accounting for nearly 64% of the country’s total import value.
What is the J Curve?
The concept of the J-curve phenomenon is a crucial aspect of understanding why exchange rate adjustments do not always yield immediate results.
The Exchange Rate Conundrum
The twin shocks of tariffs and excess liquidity are sending USD/VND soaring in the short term. However, a stable macroeconomic context equips Vietnam with the tools to regulate and curb systemic risks.
“US Products in High Demand in Vietnam”
“A plethora of prominent Vietnamese corporations have been importing a diverse range of products from the United States, spanning from aircraft and machinery to power plant turbines, electrical transmission systems, GPU chips, and essential raw materials. These imports from the USA are valued at several billion dollars, showcasing the significant economic relationship between the two nations.”
The Ultimate Guide to April’s Trade Boom: Unveiling the 16.5% Surge and FDI Dominance
As of April 15, 2025, the country’s total trade value for the year reached a remarkable $237.97 billion, reflecting a significant 16.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
International Trade in the First Month of 2025 Sees a Slight Dip, but a Trade Surplus of Over $3 Billion is Still Achieved
The country’s total import and export turnover of goods in January 2025 reached an impressive 63.15 billion USD. A breakdown of this figure reveals that exports accounted for 33.09 billion USD, while imports stood at 30.06 billion USD. This positive trade balance indicates a significant surplus of 3.03 billion USD, showcasing a thriving economic landscape.
