Expert View: MOIT’s Role in Vietnam’s $920B Trade Milestone

Import-Export Hits New Record: A “Power Booster” for the 2026–2030 Economy

The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s (MOIT) flexible and consistent management role serves as a crucial fulcrum, consolidating import-export capacity, expanding markets, and creating room for growth.

Speaking with Industry and Trade Newspaper, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang – Expert in international economics and trade, Senior Lecturer at the School of Trade and International Economics (National Economics University), analyzed the policy pillars and orientations that need to be promoted in the coming time.

Policy Momentum for Import-Export Reporter: This year, Vietnam is expected to achieve GDP growth of about 8% and import-export turnover exceeding USD 920 billion amidst many global challenges. How do you assess the directing and operating role of the Party, State, and the engagement of MOIT?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang: In 2025, despite facing numerous difficulties and challenges, import-export turnover is expected to reach approximately USD 920 billion, possibly even approaching the USD 1,000 billion mark—higher than initial forecasts. Notably, geopolitical fluctuations, global economic instability, and supply chain disruptions, instead of becoming barriers, are creating motivation for Vietnam to adapt and develop more strongly.

Vietnam continues to maintain impressive import-export growth momentum. MOIT’s role in policy-making, goal setting, and managing import-export activities has been demonstrated clearly, timely, and effectively.

Export promotion programs and trade promotion activities, along with overseas market survey trips, have been deployed methodically. These create an important foundation, helping businesses understand markets and partners, and harvest positive results.

Along with that, the business environment continues to be improved towards being more favorable for import-export enterprises; encouraging businesses to proactively participate in the international market, creating new momentum for the entire Industry and Trade sector.

The harmonious combination of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and promoting exports has contributed to enhancing the scale and quality of import-export turnover. Particularly, the export structure has undergone a significant shift: currently, about 36% of exports are high-tech products, an unprecedented proportion, with major contributions from the FDI enterprise sector.

Import-export has become and is becoming an important driving force promoting economic growth. In this process, MOIT deserves recognition for its role in both planning policy and directly organizing the implementation of import-export activities in reality.

Specifically, developing export supply chains—especially green supply chains—capable of reacting quickly to the market and providing timely information to enterprises. The direct participation in negotiating and signing numerous Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) over the past two decades has also contributed to expanding markets and enhancing Vietnam’s position in the international marketplace.

The above results are not just the achievements of the last few years but the crystallization of a long-term process, attached to the drastic, synchronous, and consistent direction of the Government.

Three Pillars for Sustainable Growth in the New Phase Reporter: There is an opinion that “pressure creates diamonds,” meaning challenges are the motivation for innovation. In which, MOIT’s administrative reform and business support contribute to enhancing import-export capacity. What is your view on this?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang: In the context of many global challenges, MOIT’s pioneering role is irreplaceable. The Ministry has clearly promoted its role as “both public administration and commerce facilitator,” leading in administrative reform and accompanying/supporting businesses, thereby enhancing import-export capacity and improving the business environment.

The decentralization of Certificate of Origin (C/O) issuance is a typical example. Although it is a technical reform, it has created a large spillover effect, helping import-export activities be rapid, practical, and time-saving for businesses.

Notably, MOIT not only issues policies but also directly coordinates with localities during the implementation process, clearly demonstrating the spirit of “rolling up sleeves” to support businesses. Investment promotion programs, goods weeks, and market connections are also deployed continuously, contributing to forming a dynamic trade culture, helping businesses feel confident when participating in the international market.

Reporter: Entering the 2026–2030 period, what are your expectations regarding Vietnam’s economic, industrial, and trade development opportunities?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang: Although there are still certain barriers, I believe that Vietnam’s economy is facing a great opportunity to develop industry and import-export. To utilize this opportunity, it is necessary to continue improving the business environment, specifically minimizing costs for businesses, especially informal costs.

Besides that, logistics costs remain a major bottleneck. Although Vietnam has a significant transport fleet, the cold storage system, transport infrastructure, and logistics connectivity are still limited. If these factors are improved, costs will decrease, businesses’ trading capacity will be enhanced, and the supply chain will operate more effectively.

Economic diplomacy also plays a pivotal role. Proactively seeking markets, attracting partners, signing contracts, and ensuring investment capital flows will help consolidate sustainable growth momentum for the economy.

In the coming period, import-export turnover is expected to exceed the USD 1,000 billion mark, while the industrial sector maintains double-digit growth. This sets an urgent requirement for building strong, synchronous supply chains, along with enhancing the capacity of the entire Vietnamese import-export system.

Along with that, simultaneously developing both the depth and breadth of the market; expanding access to new markets such as Halal, Africa, and ASEAN; and the close combination between production policy and trade policy will create strong motivation for economic growth.

Reporter: Thank you, Sir!