Vietnam's Exports Surge on FTA Utilization, Growth Forecasts Raised

Effective utilisation of free trade agreements (FTAs) has also been identified as a key solution to expand export markets. Authorities are incorporating rice into support roadmaps helping enterprises maximise FTA benefits while accelerating negotiations to expand tariff quotas with partners such as the EU and the UK. According to data from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam exported more than 7.53 million tonnes of rice worth over 3.85 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2025. In August alone, exports surged to approximately 43.4 billion USD, a 14.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached 659.58 billion USD in the first seven months of 2026, up 28.1% year-on-year. Vietnam's July CPI increased 3.08% from December 2025 and 4.45% year-on-year. Average CPI in the first seven months rose 4.39% year-on-year, while core inflation increased 4.19%. Deputy Director of the Department of Customs Nguyen Thanh Hung said the draft law establishes a legal framework to convert fragmented customs documents into standardised digital data, enabling AI to process and analyse information for automated customs clearance. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dang Ngoc Diep, agricultural, forestry and fishery exports fetched an estimated 35.88 billion USD in the first six months of 2026, up 6% year-on-year. The sector's GDP expanded by more than 3.8%, exceeding the government's 3.7% target. The results were underpinned by stable production, particularly in key industries. Overall, strong first-half performance has prompted several international institutions, including Standard Chartered, UOB and DBS, to raise their growth forecasts for Vietnam. Standard Chartered projects GDP growth of 9.5% in 2026 and 11% in 2027. With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,626 VND/USD, and the floor rate 24,090 VND/USD. Reflecting on the agreement's sixth anniversary, EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert said that nearly half of all EU-Vietnam trade over the past three decades has taken place under the EVFTA, underscoring the rapid acceleration of economic integration once market access barriers were removed. According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), construction of the passenger terminal has reached nearly 70% of the total contract value, while civil works alone are almost 80% complete. Dr. Tran Minh Ngoc, Director of the National Institute of Medicinal Materials under the Ministry of Health, said Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) is an endemic species found only in Vietnam's Ngoc Linh mountain range at elevations of 1,500–2,100 metres. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said Vietnam's total trade may exceed 1 trillion USD in 2026, supported by effective use of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs). A subsidiary of Thailand’s SCG Chemicals, LSP manages one of Vietnam’s largest foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, with an initial investment of more than 5 billion USD. The company is also investing an additional USD 500 million to integrate ethane into its feedstock portfolio. Nguyen Van Hung, Vice Chairman of the Cua Lo Ward People’s Committee, said nearly 20% of hotels in the locality have installed rooftop solar systems, helping reduce electricity costs while easing pressure on the power supply during the hottest months. If Vietnam can create the institutions, funding channels and support systems that allow businesses to develop at different stages, the target of 2 million active enterprises by 2030 could mark not just a numerical milestone, but the emergence of a more resilient engine of growth. Representatives of the Czech side spoke highly of the potential for cooperation with Da Nang and affirmed their readiness to help connect Czech enterprises with Vietnamese partners, thereby promoting stronger bilateral investment and trade ties in the years to come. The working sessions between Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang and Dutch partners helped strengthen the foundation of financial cooperation between Vietnam and the Netherlands, opening up opportunities for experience sharing, market connections and new initiatives in finance, technology and innovation, thereby making positive contributions to the comprehensive partnership. Market growth is no longer measured solely by revenue size or the number of contracts, but increasingly depends on service quality, risk management capabilities, innovation and the ability to build lasting trust with customers. The central province of Lam Dong is exerting every effort to join Vietnam's efforts to achieve the early removal of the EC's "yellow card" warning. At the event, companies and researchers promote digital technology solutions for medical facilities, while experts also highlighted and discussed new trends and technologies in the fields of AI, 3D and telemedicine. Vietnam's agricultural exports reached 36 billion USD in the first half of 2026, up 6% year-on-year. While overall growth remained below the government's double-digit target, several products posted strong performance and are showing significant export potential. The biggest risk facing the real estate market is liquidity, while the biggest risk associated with technology lies with its users. Technology can only deliver its full value when it addresses practical market and human needs. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.