This important event is part of the series “Connecting International Goods Supply Chains – Vietnam International Sourcing 2025,” held in conjunction with the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2025).

Export Forum 2025. Photo: SGGP

The Export Forum 2025 is expected to create a policy dialogue platform, helping Vietnamese enterprises diversify markets and enhance green–digital competitiveness, thereby enabling Vietnamese goods to participate more deeply in global supply chains.

Vietnam: A Leading Manufacturing Hub with Impressive Export Growth

In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang emphasized Vietnam’s notable achievements in import–export activities.

In 2024, Vietnam’s total import–export turnover exceeded USD 786 billion, with exports reaching USD 405 billion, a 14.3% increase. Notably, 37 product groups surpassed the USD 1-billion threshold, and 8 exceeded USD 10 billion.

During the first seven months of 2025, total import–export turnover continued strong momentum, reaching nearly USD 515 billion—up 16.3% year-on-year.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang delivering opening remarks. Photo: MOIT

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the robust recovery of Vietnam’s exports to markets under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). New-generation FTAs such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and UKVFTA, along with numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements, have created a vast market network, serving as a driving force for Vietnamese enterprises to expand globally.

These figures reflect not only quantitative growth but also a significant transformation in business models—from pure subcontracting to co-development and co-creation with global brands.

As a result, the international business community increasingly views Vietnam as a leading manufacturing hub in the region, capable of supplying a wide range of products at competitive prices and improving quality.

Following the pandemic and recent geopolitical–economic uncertainties, many corporations, retail/wholesale distribution channels, and e-commerce platforms have accelerated their sustainable supply chain diversification strategies, choosing Vietnam as a strategic destination in their global supply chains.

A Key National Initiative and the Role of Ho Chi Minh City

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is actively implementing the national project “Promoting Vietnamese Enterprises’ Direct Participation in Overseas Distribution Networks by 2030.”

This series of events—including the Export Forum, conferences, seminars, business matchmaking, and the Vietnam International Sourcing Expo 2025—is part of this project.

The goal is to strengthen ties between Vietnamese enterprises and major global distributors and importers, thereby helping Vietnamese firms integrate more deeply into global supply chains and adapt to market fluctuations.

Exhibition booths at “Connecting International Goods Supply Chains – Vietnam International Sourcing 2025” in conjunction with ITE HCMC 2025. Photo: MOIT

As the country’s economic locomotive, Ho Chi Minh City contributes 25% of Vietnam’s GDP, 21% of export turnover, and 23.5% of import turnover.

According to Mr. Tran Phu Lu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center (ITPC), the city is focusing on institutional reforms, modern infrastructure development, and promoting green industry models, logistics, international seaports, and regional financial centers.

In the first six months of 2025, the city’s exports reached USD 31.6 billion, up 13.3% year-on-year. Ho Chi Minh City is also actively issuing policies to support businesses in digital transformation, modern production technologies, and green–circular manufacturing models to enhance export competitiveness.

Two Strategic Discussion Sessions: Market Diversification & Green–Digital Transition

Export Forum 2025 featured two key thematic sessions addressing issues most relevant to the business community:

Session 1: “Market Diversification through Exporting Vietnamese Goods into Global Distribution Chains – Strategic Pathway in the Green–Digital Era.”
This session examined the role of global distribution networks in expanding markets for Vietnamese goods, helping businesses identify strategic pathways to elevate their global presence.

Session 2: “Enhancing Competitiveness in Green and Digital Transformation.”
Amid increasingly strict global standards on ESG, carbon transparency, and digital technology, this session offered solutions and practical experience to help Vietnamese enterprises proactively adapt and avoid falling behind in global competition.

Multi-Directional Connectivity and Building Sustainable Supply Chains

A major highlight of the Forum was the presence of more than 450 international distribution channels and reputable importers from over 60 countries and territories, along with 400 Vietnamese enterprises and numerous service, consulting, and logistics providers.

This provided an opportunity to assess both domestic and global market trends, identify Vietnam’s strengths and weaknesses, and outline necessary steps for improvement.

Open and constructive exchanges among manufacturers, importers, distributors, and support organizations helped clarify Vietnam’s opportunities and challenges, generating feasible solutions to enhance competitiveness and leverage existing advantages.

The Export Forum 2025 was not only a source of information but also a bridge for knowledge and cooperation—laying a solid foundation for Vietnamese enterprises to integrate more deeply and sustainably into global supply chains.

This strategic stride affirms Vietnam’s determination to elevate the position of Vietnamese goods in the international marketplace in the new era.

Huu Hung