Hanoi (VNA) – 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 (FTAs) continue to act as a “lever”, opening new markets and improving the quality of growth.
Stable orders
Reviewing business performance in 2025, Phan Minh Thong, General Director of Phuc Sinh Group, said the firm’s export value in December alone reached around 50 million USD – its highest monthly figure to date. For the full year, export turnover totalled some 460 million USD. Looking ahead to 2026, the business expects revenue to rise by about 27% thanks to a stable order pipeline.
“Our pepper exports are mainly shipped to the Americas, while coffee goes largely to Europe. Middle Eastern partners prioritise Halal-certified products,” Thong was quoted by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper as saying, noting that this approach reduces reliance on any single market or product line while increasing the value of each shipment.
Other key export sectors have also reported a return of long-term, stable orders. According to Nguyen Dang Hien, General Director of the Tan Quang Minh Manufacture and Trading Co., Ltd. (Bidrico), the company secured Japanese orders for fruit juice, bird’s-nest drinks and salted lemon beverages right at the start of the year.
The early arrival of these orders enabled smooth production planning from the outset and strengthened Japanese partners’ confidence in Bidrico’s processed beverages, creating expectations of further growth ahead, he said.
In the wood industry, Nguyen Liem, Chairman of the Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA), said exports continue to grow steadily. Vietnamese wood products are now present in more than 160 countries and territories, and the return of orders despite stricter standards reflects improving business adaptability.
Expanding markets
Beyond traditional destinations, new growth opportunities are emerging in markets linked to FTAs and higher standards. A key example is the Halal market. According to Tran Phu Lu, Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the global Halal economy is valued at up to 2 trillion USD, with demand increasing not only across Muslim-majority nations but also in Europe and the US.
Ly Kim Chi, Chairwoman of the HCM City Food and Foodstuff Association, said orders are returning on the basis of fully controlled supply chains, covering raw materials, processing and logistics. This places greater compliance demands on exporters but also opens the door to building higher-value production networks, she continued.
“At the policy level, FTAs remain a pillar supporting enterprises to expand and diversify markets, enhancing resilience against external shocks. Vietnam has now joined 20 FTAs, 17 of which are in force, covering more than 60 countries and territories,” said Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency.
New-generation FTAs, he added, go beyond tariff preferences to promote institutional reform, higher standards and deeper integration into global value chains.
Vietnamese trade offices abroad also report continued positive signals. In the Nordic region, importers are seeking Vietnamese partners to produce confectionery and processed foods under their own brands, prioritising long-term cooperation and strict adherence to EU food-safety regulations. In the US, demand remains stable, with new orders focusing on consumer and light-industrial goods, alongside tougher traceability requirements.
Economists believe export prospects in FTA markets remain favourable heading into 2026, especially in sectors where Vietnam holds competitive advantages such as agriculture, processed foods, seafood, textiles, footwear and wood products. The early return of orders, together with longer-term cooperation trends, is helping businesses plan production and exports from the start of the year./.
