Keyword: "free trade agreements"

Vietnam’s total foreign trade value reached 155.7 billion USD in the first two months of 2026, up 22.2% year-on-year, while the country recorded a trade deficit of 2.98 billion USD.

Vibrant trade flows in the closing months of 2025 have sent positive signals for Vietnam’s export outlook in 2026, indicating a shift into a phase of selective recovery. Of which, free trade agreements continue to act as a “lever”, opening new markets and improving the quality of growth.

According to assessments by The Economist and Business Times, Vietnam was among Asia’s fastest-growing economies last year. Analyses of the country’s 8.02% economic growth highlight the resilience of the Vietnamese economy amid a slowdown in global trade and rising geopolitical tensions.

The year 2025 marked a significant breakthrough for Vietnamese seafood exports, reflecting Singapore’s growing demand and increasing confidence in the quality and branding of Vietnam’s seafood products.

In August alone, exports surged to approximately 43.4 billion USD, a 14.5% increase compared to the same period last year.

Newly registered FDI reached 10.03 billion USD in the first seven months of 2025, of which 5.61 billion USD, or 55.9%, flowed into processing and manufacturing.

The ministry is also making the most of opportunities and the recovery trends of foreign markets to boost exports, and effectively addressing difficulties, obstacles, and disputes in economic and trade relations to contribute to stabilising and expanding export markets and attracting foreign investment.

Vietnamese businesses are accelerating efforts to adapt to the unpredictable global situation while making use of free trade agreements (FTAs) to boost export value and maintain growth momentum.

This year, the footwear industry continues to target exports to Africa, Asia, Japan, Europe and the US, while also taking initial steps to engage with major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and Amazon to open new sales channels.

Vietnam is ramping up efforts to expand market access for its agricultural, forestry, and fishery products through negotiations with potential partners, paving the way for a breakthrough in the country's agricultural products.

To date, Vietnam has signed 16 FTAs with over 60 of the world’s major markets and three are under negotiation.

Vietnam views international economic integration, particularly through free trade agreements (FTAs), as a key gateway to connect the country with the world, and bring its economy closer to global standards, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the announcing ceremony of the 2024 FTA Index on April 8.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T Import Export Service Trading Co. Ltd., stressed that tougher technical barriers in global markets are creating a level playing field, compelling exporters to prioritise quality and compliance.

The leather and footwear industry aims for an export growth rate of 10% in 2025, with total turnover projected at 29 billion USD, heard a conference hosted by the Vietnam Leather, Footwear, and Handbag Association (LEFASO) in Hanoi on January 3.

Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has pledged to pursue more free trade agreements (FTAs) in 2025 in an effort to boost the country's economic growth rate to 3%.

Rice exports set new records in both volume and value in 2024 but the commodity is expected to face a difficult year ahead as India lifted its ban on non-basmati white rice exports in September, which will push up global rice supplies next year.

Vietnam's footwear and leather industry is poised to achieve 26-27 billion USD in export in 2024, marking a 3 billion-USD increase from the previous year, as they country has well capitalised on the signed free trade agreements to bolster shipment, according to the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso).

Together with the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will create new opportunities for companies and consumers in the UK and Vietnam, affirmed British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew.

The economic forecast for 2025 reveals great potential, but also shows challenging investment prospects, especially in the context of fluctuations in global geopolitics and the economy.

As of October 2024, Vietnam has signed and implemented 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and is negotiating two more. Expanding its FTA network underscores Vietnam’s commitment to economic integration, offering substantial opportunities to deepen its role in global value chains, boost exports, drive GDP growth, and enhance institutional frameworks.