In brief
Vietnam’s total trade turnover climbed to an estimated $1.01 trillion in the first ten months of 2026, a 32.3‑percent increase from 2025. Exports rose 27.4 percent to about $499 billion, with processed industrial products making up 87.4 percent of the value. In October alone, the country’s trade turnover hit $122.2 billion, up 47.6 percent year‑on‑year, and the trade surplus narrowed the cumulative deficit to approximately $12.7 billion. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a new import‑export strategy through 2030 and a vision to 2045 to raise the share of domestic enterprises in national exports to 30 percent by 2030 and 40 percent by 2045.
In Hanoi, Vietnam's trade activity has surged, pushing total import‑export turnover to an estimated $1.01 trillion in the first ten months of 2026, a year‑on‑year rise of 32.3 percent, Xinhua reported on November 1.
The bulk of the increase came from exports, which climbed 27.4 percent from the same period in 2025 to roughly $499 billion. Processed and manufactured industrial products accounted for 87.4 percent of that value, showing a continued emphasis on domestic manufacturing.
October was a standout month: Vietnam’s trade turnover reached $122.2 billion, a 47.6 percent jump over October 2025. That surge also produced a trade surplus of $6.8 billion for the month, the most favorable of the period.
Over the first ten months, the cumulative trade surplus narrowed the overall deficit to about $12.7 billion, indicating stronger export performance relative to imports.
Responding to the growth, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a new import‑export strategy that will guide policy through 2030 and a broader vision to 2045. The aim is to raise the share of domestic enterprises in national exports to 30 percent by 2030 and 40 percent by 2045.
The ministry’s plan will likely expand support for domestic manufacturers and encourage greater participation in global value chains, mirroring the heavy reliance on processed industrial goods that drove recent gains.
Analysts say this shift could help Vietnam diversify its export basket further while reducing dependence on traditional commodity exports.
Despite the solid growth, Vietnam still faces challenges such as balancing trade deficits across the year and managing import costs that could erode profit margins for local firms.
Officials also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong trade ties with key partners, including China, the United States, and the European Union, to sustain the momentum seen this year.
Overall, Vietnam’s record-breaking trade turnover underscores the country’s rising role in the global economy and signals an ambitious future plan to boost domestic enterprise participation in exports.
