For the first time in Viet Nam's trade history, export turnover in December 2025 exceeded $44 billion, setting a new record despite the challenges of the global economy.

Exports surge at the end of the year.

December 2025 marks a significant milestone for Viet Nam's trade as merchandise exports exceeded US$44 billion for the first time in a single month. This result reflects the effectiveness of macroeconomic management and direction, the positive recovery of domestic production, and the increasingly prominent leading role of high-tech industrial product groups, especially electronics.

According to data from the Customs Department, export turnover in December 2025 reached US$44.05 billion, an increase of 12.6% compared to the previous month, equivalent to an absolute increase of US$4.94 billion. This is the highest monthly figure ever recorded, setting a new record in Viet Nam's export activities.

In particular, many key export groups recorded positive results, most notably the group of computers, electronic products and components. Export turnover for this group reached 10.74 billion USD, exceeding the 10 billion USD mark for the first time in a single month.

Overall in 2025, exports of computers, electronic products, and components are expected to reach US$107.75 billion, accounting for approximately 23% of the country's total export turnover, a 48.4% increase compared to 2024, equivalent to an absolute increase of US$35.15 billion. This product group continues to hold the leading position in terms of export value and contributes more than half of the overall export turnover increase in 2025.

By market, electronics exports to the United States reached $42.09 billion, a sharp increase of 81.4% compared to the previous year. China reached $16.89 billion, up 33.6%; Hong Kong (China) reached $10.82 billion, up 32.7%. The European Union (EU-27) market reached $10.89 billion, up 9.9%.

Notably, these results were achieved against a backdrop of continued global economic challenges such as slowing global growth, escalating trade tensions, and ongoing supply chain risks. However, through the synchronized implementation of macroeconomic management solutions, production support, and export promotion, Viet Nam effectively utilized the year-end peak period to increase export turnover, improve the trade balance, and lay the foundation for growth in the following year.

According to Mr. Do Khoa Tan, former Deputy Secretary General of the Viet Nam Electronics Business Association, this result demonstrates the flexible adaptability of Vietnamese and FDI enterprises to global market fluctuations, while affirming Viet Nam's increasingly important position in the regional electronics supply chain.

3 drivers for sustained high growth in 2026

Entering 2026, the Vietnamese economy is projected to continue its positive growth. According to VinaCapital's 2026 strategic report, Viet Nam's GDP could grow by approximately 8% in the baseline scenario and up to 10% in the optimistic scenario, based on three main drivers: recovering domestic consumption, stable exports, and spillover effects from infrastructure investment.

According to Michael Kokalari, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis at VinaCapital, growth in 2025 will mainly come from exports and tourism , while domestic consumption will recover slowly. In 2026, exports and consumption are expected to “normalize” and support each other. Household income growth of 6-7% per year, along with the recovery of the stock and real estate markets in 2025, will create a positive asset effect, thereby boosting spending.

With the government aiming for high GDP growth, improving domestic consumption is considered a key factor. Policy space remains, particularly in fiscal policies that support consumption, stabilize the labor market, and raise people's incomes.

Another key driver is the delayed impact of large-scale infrastructure investment disbursements in 2025. With relatively ample fiscal space and procedural and land clearance obstacles being removed, infrastructure investment is expected to continue playing a leading role in growth.

Simultaneously, legal reforms and the removal of obstacles in the real estate market are considered important supporting factors, creating a ripple effect on consumption and related industries. The Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) model continues to be promoted, enhancing investment efficiency and sustainable development.

Regarding exports, despite potential risks from retaliatory tariffs in some major markets, Viet Nam maintains its competitive advantage thanks to stable production capacity, reasonable labor costs, and a continued increase in FDI inflows. International organizations such as Standard Chartered assess that Viet Nam will continue to be among the fastest-growing economies in Asia if supportive policies are implemented promptly, synchronously, and effectively.

Source: Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature News