Vietnam: Merchandise exports increase in August
Latest reading: Merchandise exports growth cooled to 14.8% in year-on-year terms in August from July’s 16.7% increase as front-loading activities ahead of U.S. tariffs began to fade. The figure marked the softest expansion since March. Meanwhile, merchandise imports climbed 17.6% over the same month last year in August (July: +18.1% yoy), marking the weakest reading since January 2025.
As a result, the merchandise trade balance improved from the previous month, recording a USD 3.7 billion surplus in August (July 2025: USD 2.3 billion surplus; August 2024: USD 4.0 billion surplus). Lastly, the trend deteriorated, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 19.2 billion surplus in August, compared to the USD 19.5 billion surplus in July.