Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaks at a meeting on trade promotion, Hanoi, September 9, 2025.

In the first eight months, the country’s total trade reached nearly 600 billion USD, up 16.3% year-on-year, with a surplus of almost 14 billion USD, he noted.

The Minister suggested that trade promotion plans should prioritize free trade agreement (FTA) partners while expanding into new regions such as Eastern Europe, Africa, and South Asia to diversify markets and reduce reliance on traditional ones. “It is crucial to frequently monitor, analyze, and share information on key export markets, particularly FTA partners, to minimize risks in trade disputes.”

The United States remained Vietnam’s top market with growth of nearly 28%, while Argentina recorded a remarkable 189% surge.

In Europe, emerging markets such as Norway, Slovakia, and Austria showed strong momentum.

In Asia, Hong Kong (China) grew 33%, India nearly 50%, and both South Korea and Japan over 10%.

Africa also emerged as a promising market, with Senegal, Angola, and Ghana offering major opportunities if approached with the right strategies.