In brief
Vietnam’s trade turnover rose to $1.01 trillion, a 32.3 percent increase year‑on‑year, driven by a 27.4 percent jump in exports that totaled around $499 billion. Processed industrial products accounted for 87.4 percent of export value, while October alone saw a 47.6 percent surge to $122.2 billion. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a strategy to boost domestic enterprise exports to 40 percent by 2045.
Vietnam’s trade turnover for the first ten months of 2026 surpassed the $1 trillion mark, reporting a 32.3 percent year‑on‑year growth, according to Xinhua. This surge places Vietnam among the fastest‑growing trade economies in Southeast Asia and underscores the country’s expanding manufacturing base.
Trade turnover – the combined value of imports and exports – reached an estimated $1.01 trillion, an increase of roughly $332 billion compared to the same period in 2025. Exports alone grew 27.4 percent, reaching about $499 billion, while imports increased at a slightly slower rate, keeping the overall balance in a favorable position.
Processed and manufactured industrial products comprised 87.4 percent of Vietnam’s export value, signalling the country’s continued focus on value‑added goods. Major export categories included electronics, textiles, and machinery, all of which benefit from Vietnam’s growing industrial clusters and export‑oriented policies.
In October, the country’s trade turnover jumped to $122.2 billion, a 47.6 percent rise compared to the same month a year earlier. The October spike was driven by seasonally high demand for electronics and fast‑moving consumer goods. October’s trade surplus of $6.8 billion narrowed the cumulative deficit over the 10‑month period to about $12.7 billion, improving the overall trade position.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a new import‑export strategy extending to 2030, with a long‑term vision through 2045. The strategy aims to raise the share of domestic enterprises in national exports to 30 percent by 2030 and 40 percent by 2045. This will involve strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity, incentivizing high‑technology production, and expanding market access for Vietnamese products.
Vietnam’s 2026 Trade Surge and Future Outlook
The rapid growth in trade turnover is underpinned by Vietnam’s robust economic reforms, attractive investment climate, and strategic positioning along the Belt and Road Initiative. The country’s open trade regime, combined with regional free‑trade agreements, has attracted foreign direct investment, particularly in electronics and automotive assembly.
For analysts using the Quanta Report platform, which harnesses quantum computing to process and model large datasets, the wealth of trade data offers insights into supply‑chain dynamics and export performance. By simulating complex economic scenarios, the platform can identify patterns in commodity flows, assess market trends, and forecast the impact of policy changes on export shares.
Looking ahead, the Ministry’s ambitious targets for domestic enterprise exports reflect a strategic shift toward higher value‑added production. Raising the export share to 40 percent by 2045 would require continued investment in research and development, workforce skills, and quality standards, all of which are essential for competing in high‑tech global markets.
Despite the impressive growth, Vietnam faces challenges such as supply‑chain disruptions, commodity price volatility, and the need to upgrade technical infrastructure. Addressing these issues is essential for sustaining the trade momentum and achieving the long‑term vision outlined in the new strategy.
In summary, Vietnam’s first ten months of 2026 saw a remarkable $1.01 trillion in trade turnover, driven by significant export growth and a dominant share of processed industrial products. The Ministry’s forthcoming strategy aims to further elevate domestic enterprises’ export roles, setting the stage for continued economic expansion into the next decades.
