According to statistics from the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), in August, the total import and export turnover of goods reached US$83.06 billion, up 0.9% month-on-month and 16.0% year-on-year.
Specifically, the export turnover of goods in August reached US$43.39 billion, up 2.6% compared to the previous month. Among them, the domestic economic sector reached US$9.16 billion, up 2.4%; foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) reached US$34.22 billion, up 2.6%. Compared to the same period last year, export turnover of goods in August increased by 14.5%, in which the domestic economic sector decreased by 17.1%, the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) increased by 27.5%.
In the first eight months of 2025, export turnover of goods reached US$305.96 billion, up 14.8% over the same period last year. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached US$76.69 billion, up 3.2%, accounting for 25.1% of total export turnover; foreign-invested sector reached US$229.27 billion, up 19.3%, accounting for 74.9%.
In the first eight months of 2025, there were 29 export commodity groups with a turnover of over US$1 billion, accounting for 92.1% of the total export turnover (including 7 groups of export commodities with a turnover of over US$10 billion, accounting for 67.8%).
In terms of export commodity structure in the first eight months of 2025, the processing industry reached US$271.06 billion, accounting for 88.6%; agricultural and forestry products reached US$25.92 billion, accounting for 8.5%; aquatic products reached US$7.15 billion, accounting for 2.3%; fuels and minerals reached US$1.83 billion, accounting for 0.6%.
Meanwhile, regarding import turnover of goods, the report shows that in August, import turnover of goods reached US$39.67 billion, down 0.8% compared to the previous month. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached US$10.76 billion, down 4.6%; the foreign-invested sector reached US$28.91 billion, up 0.7%. Compared to the same period last year, the import turnover of goods in August increased by 17.7%, in which the domestic economic sector decreased by 11.3%; the foreign-invested sector increased by 34.0%.
In the first eight months of 2025, import turnover of goods reached US$291.97 billion, up 17.9% over the same period last year, of which the domestic economic sector reached US$94.77 billion, up 5.3%; the foreign-invested sector reached US$197.2 billion, up 25.1%.
In the first eight months of 2025, there were 38 groups of imported commodities with a value of over US$1 billion, accounting for 91.2% of the total import turnover (including 2 groups of imported commodities with a value of over US$10 billion, accounting for 46.2%).
In terms of import commodity structure in the first eight months of 2025, the group of production materials reached US$273.91 billion, accounting for 93.8%, in which the group of machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts accounted for 52.2%; the group of raw materials, fuels, and materials accounted for 41.6%. The group of consumer goods reached US$18.06 billion, accounting for 6.2%.
Regarding export and import markets in the first eight months of 2025, the United States was Vietnam’s largest export market with a turnover of US$99.1 billion. China was Vietnam’s largest import market with a turnover of US$117.9 billion. In the first eight months of 2025, there was a trade surplus of US$87.0 billion with the United States, up 26.8% over the same period last year; a trade surplus of US$25.6 billion with the EU, up 10.0%; a trade surplus of US$1.5 billion with Japan, down 9.3%; a trade deficit of US$75.9 billion with China, up 39.8%; a trade deficit of US$20.1 billion with Korea, up 0.7%; and a trade deficit of US$9.4 billion with ASEAN, up 69.1%.
Export and import turnover may reach a new record high this year
In the first eight months of 2025, the total import and export turnover of goods reached US$597.93 billion, up 16.3% over the same period last year, including a 14.8% increase in exports and a 17.9% increase in imports.
At the recent regular Government meeting for August 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade expected that the import and export turnover this year may reach US$800 billion, which would be a new record for Vietnam. Notably, the trade balance this year is expected to have a surplus of nearly US$14 billion.
“This result is partly due to businesses expediting signed orders. It reflects the great efforts of the business community and the entire political system in providing guidance and management during this period,” said Minister Nguyen Hong Dien.
Along with the achievements, Minister of Industry and Trade requested relevant ministries, sectors, and businesses to closely monitor unfavorable developments in the world market to promptly respond with appropriate policies, especially regarding policies related to the United States, inflation, prices, and global supply chain disruptions for certain types of goods.
To achieve the growth target of 8.3% in 2025 and the following years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to accelerate the implementation of National Assembly and Government resolutions, particularly the economic recovery program and the new resolutions issued by the Politburo.
At the same time, it is necessary to promote the disbursement of public investment capital and put into use or expedite the progress of key projects nationwide, especially those that have been recently inaugurated or commenced. Additionally, resolutely implement investment projects under the national industry and mineral resource planning to proactively ensure input materials for domestic production.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade also proposed that competent authorities soon issue and implement the Government’s resolution on comprehensive solutions to respond promptly and effectively to policies related to the United States, while concurrently implementing existing trade agreements with the United States. On this matter, the Ministry of Industry and Trade submitted it to the Government on August 18, integrating the opinions of ministries and branches and resubmitting it on August 29.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed that competent authorities resolutely remove difficulties for projects and works facing obstacles through special mechanisms, especially those in the energy sector. At the same time, continue to review and remove institutional bottlenecks through Government resolutions and amend laws and decrees to suit the context of Vietnam’s high growth rate.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested that ministries and branches continue to support and accompany localities in performing the functions and tasks of the two-level local government according to the assigned decentralization and authorization.
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