Vietnam Navigates Trade Pressures With Surging FDI and Port Expansion

HANOI, July 29 – Vietnam’s exporters are facing stiff U.S. tariffs and slowing global demand, but fresh data shows resilience in its trade engine, powered by a booming logistics sector and renewed foreign investment.

Vietnam posted a US $7.5 billion trade surplus in the first half of 2025 despite headwinds from higher tariffs on textiles and seafood entering the U.S., its largest export market. Tariffs now average 10%, with threats of further hikes under U.S. trade policy reform.

To offset these risks, the Vietnamese government is accelerating seaport and inland waterway development. The Ministry of Transport unveiled a US $2.2 billion infrastructure plan in July, including expansions in Hai Phong and Cai Mep-Thi Vai.

Meanwhile, foreign direct investment reached US $21.5 billion in H1, up 13.7% year-on-year, with Japan, Singapore, and South Korea leading inflows. “Investors still see Vietnam as the region’s most stable and scalable alternative to China,” said Nguyen Le Hoang, a trade advisor at BIDV Securities.

New trade routes, such as the Chu Lai–India corridor, aim to diversify partners beyond the U.S. and EU. “Geopolitics is forcing exporters to look beyond traditional lanes,” said Le Hoang.

For now, Vietnam’s exporters are adapting through supply chain diversification, nearshoring, and digital trade platforms. But longer-term stability will depend on navigating a complex external environment.

Sources:
Vietnam News Agency (2025) Trade surplus hits US$7.5 billion in H1. Link
Vietnam Investment Review (2025) FDI flows surge despite global headwinds. Link
AP News (2025) Flurry of trade deals offers relief for some Asian countries. Link