Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import and Export Department. (Photo: Nguyen Long/VOV)

Total trade turnover for the January–June period is estimated at 426–430 billion USD, up around 15.5–15.8% from the same period last year. Exports are estimated at 215–217 billion USD, while imports are at 211–213 billion USD, marking respective increases of 13.8–14% and 17–17.2%. The trade surplus is between 3.4 billion and 4 billion USD.

Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import and Export Department, said the results are seen as a key driver toward achieving the full-year export target of more than 450 billion USD, with a projected growth rate above 12%.

The ministry also warned of challenges in the second half of the year, including the risk of new US tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties. However, Mr. Hai said Vietnamese authorities and businesses are well prepared with response measures, including market diversification.

“Expanding and diversifying markets will always be a key task," Mr. Hai said, "We’re ready to explore and prepare negotiations for Free Trade Agreements with South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America - regions with large populations and growing demand for Vietnamese products.”