The US currently accounts for 30-32% of Vietnam’s total global export turnover, making it the country’s largest export market in the first half of 2025. In this context, Vietnamese businesses must sharpen their understanding of market demands to unlock further export potential.

Speaking at an online conference on trade promotion with the US, held in Hanoi on July 16 by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Deputy Director Hoang Minh Chien emphasized that while the US has long been a top destination for Vietnamese exports, it also maintains some of the world’s strictest technical, tariff, and import regulations.

“Exporters eyeing the US must pay close attention to consumer trends, technical standards, origin rules, import taxes, logistics, and especially cross-border e-commerce,” said Chien. “Professional and in-depth trade promotion efforts are essential to help Vietnamese goods make further inroads into this market.”

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in the US, Do Ngoc Hung, echoed this view, saying that Vietnamese products are increasingly favored by American consumers thanks to their competitive prices, diverse designs, and improving quality. “These advantages are enabling Vietnamese goods to compete fairly and directly with products from other major markets,” he said.

Hung advised Vietnamese firms with strong export capacity to step up promotion efforts through various channels. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), active engagement with industry associations and government agencies is essential for accessing guidance and support.

He also stressed the need for businesses to proactively cooperate in trade defence investigations, as failing to provide timely, favorable data could lead to higher duties. Compliance with US rules, especially those related to standards, quality, and forced labor laws, is also critical, he stressed.

“Businesses must fully capitalize on new growth drivers by diversifying export markets, particularly through free trade agreements (FTAs) Vietnam has signed. They also need to boost their competitiveness through innovation and technological investment while strictly adhering to origin rules,” Hung added.

He further urged Vietnamese exporters to maintain detailed records and proper documentation to prove compliance with US origin requirements – an area where many businesses fall short. Vietnamese authorities, for their part, must continue assisting companies in verifying US partners and minimizing risk in the course of trade cooperation.

From a policy perspective, Hoang Duc Minh from the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import-Export Department noted that detailed guidance is already in place for origin rules, customs inspection procedures, and preferential tariffs for exports to the US. These tools can help businesses maximize the benefits of Vietnam’s trade agreements.

To cope with new tariff challenges from the US, experts recommended that Vietnamese firms focus on essential goods and consumer products while also exploring niche segments such as certified organic items, which can command higher prices.

They also urged greater participation in trade fairs and industry-specific conferences in the US to open up more export opportunities in this high-potential market.

Economic and trade relations between Vietnam and the US have grown steadily in recent years. In 2024, bilateral trade reached over US$122 billion, with Vietnamese exports accounting for approximately US$97 billion. Key export categories such as garments and textiles, electronics, agricultural products, seafood, and wooden furniture continue to strengthen their position in the US market thanks to improving quality, competitive pricing, and compliance with stringent standards.

July 16 webinar to unlock US market potential for Vietnamese businesses

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) will organise an online seminar on July 16 to help Vietnamese businesses boost export and conquer the highly competitive US market.