In the first 2 months of the year, import and export reached 127.07 billion USD

Trade balance of goods has a trade surplus of 1.47 billion USD

According to data of the Department of Statistics (Ministry of Finance), in February 2025, the total export turnover and import of goods reached US $ 63.77 billion. The result increased by 0.7% over the previous month and increased by 32.6% over the same period last year. In the first two months of 2025, the total import and export turnover of goods reached 127.07 billion USD, up 12.0% over the same period last year in which, exports increased by 8.4%; Import increased by 15.9%. The trade balance of goods exported US $ 1.47 billion.

In early 2025, exports have favorable opportunities to continue to grow thanks to the recovery of the world economy, inflation being controlled, and export markets being expanded according to the tariff reduction roadmap in Free Trade Agreements.

However, there are still many difficulties and challenges such as the increasing trend of household protection in importing countries, fierce competition with goods from exporting countries and the possibility of a trade war in the world, which risks disrupting supply chains and narrowing export markets.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong - Director of the Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), the growth rate of goods export turnover and goods imported in the first two months of 2025 reached 8.4% and 15.9%, only higher than the same period in the same period in 2023 in the past 5 years (equivalent to 9.9% and down 16.7%). Trade surplus in the first two months of 2025 reached US $ 1.47 billion, much lower than the same period of 2023 (3.48 billion USD) and 2014 (US $ 5.13 billion).

“From the perspective of use, the consumer demand of the economy is still lower than the same period in previous years, is a big challenge to achieve the growth target of the first quarter this year. Especially to achieve the growth target, the total export turnover in 2025 reaches 12%; striving 14% (Resolution 01/NQ-CP, day 8.2025). By the end of 2025, in the context of the world economic situation, there were still many volatile, ”Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong said.

What is the solution to increase import and export by 12%?

In 2025, the Government set a target of domestic economic growth from over 8-10% and aiming to grow two numbers in the next period. In particular, exporting exports is one of the three main driving force of the economy, located in the "Tam Ma vehicle". Contributing to the whole country to successfully implement the goals set by the Government, in 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade set the import -export turnover to grow about 12% compared to 2024.

According to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, with a 12% increase, each month's exports must increase by an average of 4 billion USD compared to the average monthly increase in 2024.

To successfully achieve this goal, the Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to focus on synchronously and effectively implementing solutions to mobilize competitive advantages and take advantage of opportunities in export markets. Through promoting and supporting businesses and industry associations to effectively exploit traditional markets with great potential. At the same time, proactively research, advise on negotiations, and sign cooperation agreements with new markets. Focus on exploiting and making the most of opportunities from key, strategic markets.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien added that it is necessary to take advantage of opportunities from free trade agreements to which Vietnam is a member. Promote and enhance the role of Vietnamese foreign trading agencies in grasping information, promptly reflecting developments in the world economy and policies and guidelines of host countries, helping state agencies have timely and effective policy responses, ensuring the highest national and ethnic interests.

Diversify forms of promotion, link trade promotion activities with production and export development of domestic enterprises and e-commerce development, digital transformation. Increase early warning of risks and accompany businesses when commercial defense lawsuits arise.