Vietnam has a trade surplus of 3.16 billion USD in the first quarter.

At the press conference announcing the first quarter of 2025 data on the morning of April 6, Director of the General Statistics Office Nguyen Thi Huong said: In March, the total import and export turnover of goods reached 75.39 billion USD, up 18.2% over the previous month and up 16.6% over the same period last year.

Duc Toan Binh Dinh Company Limited in Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, Quy Nhon City exports outdoor wooden furniture products to the European market, achieving a revenue of more than 3 million USD/year, creating stable jobs for more than 200 workers. Photo: Vu Sinh/VNA

In the first quarter of 2025, the total import-export turnover of goods reached 202.52 billion USD, an increase of 13.7% over the same period last year; of which exports increased by 10.6%; imports increased by 17.0%. The trade balance of goods had a surplus of 3.16 billion USD.

According to the General Statistics Office, the export turnover of goods in March 2025 reached 38.51 billion USD, up 23.8% over the previous month. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached 11.08 billion USD, up 32.1%; the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) reached 27.43 billion USD, up 20.7%.

Compared to the same period last year, the export turnover of goods in March increased by 14.5%, of which the domestic economic sector increased by 18.7%, the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) increased by 12.9%.

In the first quarter of 2025, the total export turnover of goods reached 102.84 billion USD, up 10.6% over the same period last year. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached 29.02 billion USD, up 15.0%, accounting for 28.2% of the total export turnover; the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) reached 73.82 billion USD, up 9.0%, accounting for 71.8%.

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 18 items with export turnover of over 1 billion USD, accounting for 84.5% of total export turnover (there were 5 items with export turnover of over 5 billion USD, accounting for 59.9%).

According to the General Statistics Office, the import turnover of goods in March 2025 reached 36.88 billion USD, up 12.9% over the previous month. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached 13.98 billion USD, up 17.8%; the foreign-invested sector reached 22.9 billion USD, up 10.1%.

Compared to the same period last year, import turnover of goods in March increased by 19.0%, of which the domestic economic sector increased by 20.2%; the foreign-invested sector increased by 18.3%.

In the first quarter of 2025, the total import turnover of goods reached 99.68 billion USD, up 17.0% over the same period last year. Of which, the domestic economic sector reached 36.78 billion USD, up 19.3%; the foreign-invested sector reached 62.9 billion USD, up 15.8%.

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 17 imported items with a value of over 1 billion USD, accounting for 77.2% of total import turnover (there were 2 imported items with a value of over 5 billion USD, accounting for 44.4%).

Regarding the import and export market of goods in the first quarter of 2025, the US is Vietnam's largest export market with a turnover of 31.4 billion USD. China is Vietnam's largest import market with a turnover of 38.1 billion USD.

In the first quarter of 2025, the trade surplus with the US will reach 27.3 billion USD, up 22.1% over the same period last year; the trade surplus with the EU will be 9.9 billion USD, up 15.7%; the trade surplus with Japan will be 0.6 billion USD, more than 5 times higher than the same period in 2024; the trade deficit with China will be 24.9 billion USD, up 43.3%; the trade deficit with South Korea will be 7.1 billion USD, up 14.4%; and the trade deficit with ASEAN will be 3.8 billion USD, up 83.2%.

In the first quarter of 2025, the trade balance of goods had a trade surplus of 3.16 billion USD (the same period last year had a trade surplus of 7.7 billion USD). Of which, the domestic economic sector had a trade deficit of 7.76 billion USD; the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) had a trade surplus of 10.92 billion USD.

Although our country's trade activities are still maintaining a fairly good growth momentum, however, the leader of the General Statistics Office said that tax policies in the international market are forecast to cause many difficulties for import and export activities in the coming time.

To cope with this situation, the Government and ministries and sectors are taking drastic actions. In particular, for the US market - a leading trade partner, the Prime Minister has emphasized the readiness to negotiate to reduce import tax on goods from this market to 0%. This is a strong signal showing Vietnam's determination to protect and promote export activities.

Mr. Ta Hoang Linh, Director of the Department of Foreign Market Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, said: In 2025, the Ministry aims for export growth of about 12%, equivalent to 450 billion USD. This target is set in the context of global economic recovery and Vietnam taking advantage of signed free trade agreements.

To realize the export target, the Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that export enterprises need to take advantage of their existing strengths, which are 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with over 60 countries and territories and 70 bilateral cooperation mechanisms. At the same time, enterprises also need to promote the diversification of export markets.

On the side of the General Statistics Office, Director Nguyen Thi Huong proposed that the Government focus on effectively implementing solutions to promote exports; boost exports to large and potential markets, effectively promote signed trade agreements and treaties; at the same time, effectively implement trade promotion activities, connect supply and demand, remove barriers, facilitate domestic consumption and export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products.

At the same time, provide information, support businesses to meet new standards of export markets, support businesses in anti-dumping lawsuits; create conditions for businesses to access capital, apply high technology in production, improve product quality and value to expand consumption markets, promote exports.

Overall, the first quarter of 2025 ended with impressive growth figures in the import-export sector. However, with potential challenges ahead, the proactiveness, flexibility and timely solutions from the Government, ministries, sectors and the business community will play a key role in maintaining this growth momentum in the coming time.

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