TRADE SURPLUS HITS US$7.63 BLN IN FIRST HALF
Vietnam’s total export and import turnover in the first half of this year reached US$432.03 billion, a year-on-year increase of 16.1 percent, according to the National Statistics Office. Of the figure, exports hit US$219.83 billion, up 14.4 percent while imports were estimated at US$212.2 billion, up 17.9 percent. The Southeast Asian nation enjoyed a trade surplus of US$7.63 billion in six months.
FROZEN DURIAN EXPORTS TRIPLE
Việt Nam’s frozen durian exports tripled in the first half of this year, driven by expanded market access and increased investment in processing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Đỗ Hồng Khanh from the Plant Production and Protection Department said at the ministry’s press conference on Thursday that 388 batches of frozen durian, or 14,282 tonnes, were shipped abroad between January and June, three times higher than the same period last year.
H1 GDP GROWTH SEEN HITTING TWO-DECADE HIGH
Vietnam’s economy is expected to expand at least 7.3% in the first half of this year, nearing the Government’s annual target and marking the highest six-month growth for the same period in nearly 20 years, according to the Ministry of Finance. Early estimates in late May put second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth at around 7.7%, bringing first-half growth to 7.3%.
PROVINCIAL MERGERS STRENGTHEN APPEAL TO FOREIGN INVESTORS
On June 30, localities across Việt Nam announced resolutions on the merger of administrative units, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to streamline governance and promote regional development. Following the restructuring, Việt Nam now comprises 34 provinces and centrally-governed cities. More than a routine administrative reform, the mergers are viewed as a strategic move to create localities with greater scale, connectivity and development potential.
NUMBER OF NEWLY-ESTABLISHED FIRMS HIT RECORD HIGH IN JUNE
The number of newly registered enterprises set a record high in June, surpassing 24,000, more than double the average during the 2021– 24 period, according to the Department of Private Enterprise and Collective Economy Development under the Ministry of Finance. In the first half of 2025, more than 91,000 new businesses were established nationwide, reflecting a strong wave of entrepreneurship.
VIỆT NAM TARGETS $3.3 BILLION IN RUBBER EXPORTS THIS YEAR
To achieve its 2025 rubber export target of US$3.3 billion – down 4.6 per cent from 2024, Việt Nam needs to strive to earn $2.1 billion in the second half of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). The export revenue in the first six months is estimated at $1.2 billion, statistics show.
MANUFACTURING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE REBOUNDS FROM 44-MONTH LOW
According to a study by S&P Global released on July 1, business confidence has bounced back from the 44-month low seen in April. Hopes for more stable market conditions and a reduction in trade tensions were among the factors supporting the optimistic outlook, which was nonetheless weaker than the series average.
AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND FISHERY EXPORTS ACCELERATED TO REACH $65 BILLION TARGET
Việt Nam’s total agro-forestry-fishery trade is estimated at US$57 billion in the first half of this year, with exports reaching $33.5 billion, up 14.3 per cent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). Meanwhile, imports rose 12.8 per cent to $23.5 billion. This year will continue to be a year of significant fluctuations, with a complex global political and economic context.
