On September 26, 2025, within the framework of the FTU WTO Chair Program, Foreign Trade University successfully organized an Expert Consultation Seminar on the “Draft Report on Vietnam’s International Trade 2025”. This report is expected to be one of the most important projects of the Program, aiming at commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Foreign Trade University.
The seminar was attended by a distinguished delegates and experts, including:
- Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien – Deputy Director General, Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade.
- Mr. Bui Van Huyen – Director, ESG Institute, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.
- Mr. Tran Toan Thang – Head of Division, Institute of Strategy and Policy for Finance, Ministry of Finance.
- Ms. Le Hang – Deputy General Secretary, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Duong – Head of the Department of International Law, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law.
Delivering the opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien emphasized the significance of the Vietnam International Trade Report 2025 in elucidating the new drivers of growth for international trade in the new era of national progress. He further underscored the paramount importance of receiving profound and insightful contributions from the experts to refine the Report prior to its official publication.
The opening remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien – Vice-President of Foreign Trade University
In the initial feedback session, Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien highly commended the content and quality of the Report, asserting that it presents a distinctive and unique contribution compared to numerous other international trade reports, leveraging the core research strengths of the Foreign Trade University. She proposed a more explicit elucidation of practical aspects, particularly the quantification of FTA utilization rates, which exhibit significant variance across different commodities and markets. She also acknowledged the progress in digital transformation, noting that the Certificate of Origin (C/O) issuance process is now fully automated. Furthermore, she recommended the inclusion of a comprehensive chapter on policy recommendations, spanning from the global and national levels to the enterprise and training institution levels, to enhance the Report’s applicability and practical value.
Remarks by Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien – Deputy Director General, Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Subsequently, Mr. Tran Toan Thang lauded the practical and academic significance of the Report, viewing it as a crucial foundation for the analysis of Vietnam’s international trade within the evolving global context. Concurrently, he emphasized the imperative for the Report to strengthen its focus on timeliness and forecasting, moving beyond a mere reflection of past and present trends. He proposed incorporating recent and critical developments regarding tariffs—a factor currently reshaping the rules of trade and influencing long-term flows—alongside major trends such as the liberalization of goods and services, competition among major economies, and the global fragmentation of trade. He argued that these suggestions, linked to the geopolitical and economic landscape, would enable the Report to offer not only a reflection of reality but also practical forecasts and recommendations for Vietnam’s and global trade.
Remarks by Mr. Tran Toan Thang – Head of Division, Institute of Strategy and Policy for Finance, Ministry of Finance
Continuing the discussion, Mr. Bui Van Huyen expressed deep appreciation for the dedication and professional competence of the authoring team, while acknowledging the Report’s comprehensive scope and distinctiveness. He proposed an adjustment to the release timeline to better facilitate policy updating and planning, and recommended an earlier definition of themes for subsequent annual editions. Additionally, he suggested incorporating regional comparisons and clarifying the interrelationships between the four identified growth drivers to enhance practical relevance.
Remarks by Mr. Bui Van Huyen – Director, ESG Institute, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
Ms. Le Hang assessed the Report as a comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and objective study undertaken by Foreign Trade University. She confirmed that it would serve as an invaluable resource for industry associations in identifying international trade trends and defining growth drivers for the foreseeable future. She advocated for the inclusion of analyses on a select number of typical economic sectors to substantiate and increase the persuasive power of the Report’s arguments.
Remarks by Ms. Le Hang – Deputy General Secretary, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP)
Finally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Duong (attending virtually) highly praised the Draft for its novelty, innovative approach, and numerous practical policy implications for the State, while also assisting businesses in developing action plans. She proposed a review and update of the data up to 2024 and suggested supplementing or clarifying the sector-specific approach to elevate the Report’s practical utility.
Concluding the seminar, the representative of the drafting team sincerely expressed gratitude for the dedicated and profound contributions from the participating experts and delegates. The team committed to maximizing the incorporation of the feedback received to finalize the Report and anticipates submitting the completed version to the experts in the near future.
