This presents an opportunity for the country to transform itself from a simple processing link into an important production and supply hub with higher added value in global value chains.
While Vietnamese goods have greater opportunities to reach global markets, exports are also facing growing pressure in terms of technology, green standards and traceability. This requires businesses to strengthen their capabilities and take a more meaningful role in global supply chains.
Opportunities come with challenges
According to experts, among Viet Nam’s export product groups, non-food consumer goods play a leading role, with exceptionally high trade value. In 2025, electronics led the country’s exports, reaching nearly 165 billion USD and making a decisive contribution to the nation’s total export turnover of more than 475 billion USD. In the first eight months of 2026, total export turnover reached nearly 375 billion USD, up 22.4% year on year, with electronics (nearly 150 billion USD), textiles and garments (nearly 27 billion USD) and footwear (more than 16 billion USD) among the key export groups.
These results affirm the importance of consumer goods in maintaining trade balance and enhancing the position of Vietnamese products in international markets, reflecting a substantive shift among Vietnamese businesses from simple processing operations to becoming key links in global supply chains.
However, Vietnamese exports are also facing growing impacts from global economic instability and escalating trade competition. In addition, increasingly stringent policy and regulatory requirements, particularly green and sustainability standards, are becoming significant barriers for export businesses.
Nguyen Dang Khoa, International Business Director of Tan Phu Viet Nam Joint Stock Company, said that green production had become a mandatory requirement for entering high-standard markets such as the EU and the US. To ensure transparency and fulfil its social responsibilities, Tan Phu Viet Nam is implementing a comprehensive development strategy based on three pillars, including standardising sources of recycled plastic materials, optimising operational processes to reduce emissions and save energy, and taking the lead in adopting stringent international certifications such as ISO 14001, BSCI, FSC and Higg FEM.
Green transformation is a long-term strategic investment challenge and a matter of survival when working with global partners. Businesses that are slow to “go green” over the next five to 10 years will be left out of the game, regardless of how competitive their prices are.
Cha Ji-ho, director of the Viet Nam Purchasing Centre under Samsung Viet Nam’s Strategic Cooperation Division, said that global supply chain standards were changing rapidly. When seeking suppliers, major companies require not only competitive prices but also reliable delivery schedules, consistent quality, timely technical support, transparent data management and a commitment to sustainable development.
Enhancing competitiveness
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang affirmed that Viet Nam remained a top priority for international corporations and buyers seeking new sources of supply. This advantage stems from its network of 17 signed and implemented FTAs, a stable investment environment, continuously improving production capacity and its strategic location at the heart of Southeast Asia.
In 2026, the Government has set an export growth target of around 15-16%, with export turnover expected to reach 546-550 billion USD. This is an ambitious target, but it clearly demonstrates strong determination and confidence in the country’s internal strengths and its position in global trade flows.
Viet Nam remains a top priority for international corporations and buyers seeking new sources of supply. This advantage stems from its network of 17 signed and implemented FTAs, a stable investment environment, continuously improving production capacity and its strategic location at the heart of Southeast Asia.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang
Do Quoc Hung, acting director of the Foreign Market Development Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, recommended that producing high-quality goods was no longer sufficient for Vietnamese businesses to establish a deeper foothold in global value chains. Businesses need to proactively enhance their competitiveness and restructure their production and business plans to meet increasingly stringent technical barriers relating to sustainability and traceability. They must also respond swiftly to consumer preferences to make the most of modern business and distribution channels.
Representing the country’s leading economic, trade and service hub, Tran Phu Lu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), said the city was focusing on restructuring its industrial and agricultural sectors towards modern, circular models closely linked to digital and green transformation in order to participate more deeply in global value chains.
At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City is stepping up investment in logistics infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance import and export capacity, while developing new-generation free trade zones combined with smart logistics centres, international transshipment port clusters and cargo airports. It is also restructuring the network of satellite ports, ports along the Sai Gon River and inland container depots (ICDs) to create an efficient regional linkage chain.
To help businesses overcome challenges related to tariffs, technical barriers and sustainability requirements in major markets such as the US and the EU, Ho Chi Minh City is also working to improve the business environment and simplify administrative procedures. It is also strengthening support measures to help businesses meet international standards, promoting green and digital transformation and technological innovation to increase value, and gradually shifting from processing to building their own brands and leveraging e-commerce to reach global markets.
