The export breakthrough is opening up a strategic turning point, when Viet Nam not only recovers strongly but also creates a new position in the global value chain.

Resilience from inner strength and the ability to adapt to difficulties

According to statistics from the Customs Department, as of mid-October, Viet Nam's exports reached an impressive figure of 368.13 billion USD. The figure shows strong and sustainable growth compared to the same period last year. This is a high increase, clearly reflecting the recovery of the processing, electronics, textile and garment industries, and especially agricultural products, helping the trade balance maintain a large surplus.

This export growth not only exceeded expectations but also marked the strongest recovery period since the pandemic, demonstrating the effective adaptation and restructuring capacity of the processing, electronics, textile and agricultural industries – the pillars that are shaping a new position for Vietnamese goods in the international market.

According to the leader of the Import-Export Department, the export growth since the beginning of the year is opening a new breakthrough period, when Viet Nam gradually escapes the short-term recovery trajectory to enter a growth cycle based on green values, technology and sustainable competitiveness of domestic enterprises.

In particular, high-tech products and electronic components continue to play a leading role in growth, affirming Viet Nam's position in the global technology value chain. At the same time, many enterprises have demonstrated their initiative and effectively utilized new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) to expand and penetrate deeper into demanding markets such as the European Union (EU), the US, and CPTPP partners.

However, alongside the bright picture are inevitable challenges. The traditional advantages of cheap labor and low production costs are gradually eroding. Changes in the structure of export markets have shown that Vietnamese enterprises cannot rely solely on short-term growth rates. As the global "rules of the game" shift towards greening, transparency and sustainability, adaptability, digital transformation and quality upgrading are the keys to maintaining export momentum and moving up the supply chain ladder.

According to economist Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, export growth is impressive, but what is more important is how we shift from quantitative growth to qualitative growth. The ability to innovate, green production and build a new national brand will be the decisive factors in Viet Nam's position in the global supply chain in the coming years.

During this period, Viet Nam's export strategy needs to strongly shift from the mindset of "expanding scale" to "upgrading quality". This transformation requires businesses to proactively invest in clean technology, improve production standards, and apply digital transformation in supply chain management and product traceability. In fact, the localization rate in many export industries is still low, heavily dependent on imported raw materials, making the cost of complying with international standards increasingly high and vulnerable to global fluctuations.

Turn challenges into levers for sustainable development

According to economic experts, the new trade barriers being set up are not a "golden hoop" to bind, but a test of mettle and an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to affirm their standards and reputation. Joining the new rules of the game – from green barriers to food safety rules and reciprocal taxes – is a mandatory path to achieving sustainable export goals.

Green barriers are becoming the new standard for Vietnamese goods. The European Union has officially applied the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to carbon-intensive imported goods such as steel, aluminum, cement and fertilizer. In the near future, this list will certainly expand to textiles, footwear, and seafood – Viet Nam’s key export industries. This not only forces businesses to invest in clean technology and reduce emissions in production, but also to establish a transparent system to prove the origin and carbon footprint of products. Success in meeting CBAM will open the door to deeper penetration into the EU market of 450 million people.

According to Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), CBAM is a big challenge, but if Viet Nam adapts early by developing green industry, raising environmental standards and applying a transparent emission measurement system, this will be a golden opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to improve their competitiveness and access deeper into the European value chain.

Along with green barriers and new rules, countervailing duties and anti-dumping measures from many major markets such as the US, EU and India are also increasing. Some products such as steel, iron, wood and solar panels have been investigated or imposed higher taxes due to suspicion of transshipment of origin. These moves require businesses to improve their international compliance capacity, act transparently about origin, and promote regional cooperation and industry linkages to increase overall competitiveness.

The success of Viet Nam's exports in 2025 is undeniable. However, the "game" has now shifted from price competition to competition on green standards, social responsibility and data transparency. Enterprises that grasp this trend, invest in the right direction and behave transparently will continue to grow strongly. On the contrary, if they only pursue output while ignoring environmental standards, traceability and data compliance, Vietnamese goods will find it difficult to maintain their position in the international market./.

Source: VTV