HÀ NỘI — Trade between Việt Nam and China is posed to set a record height this year with strong momentum from deepened cooperation through large trade promotion events and the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Protocol.

“Trade promotion is the bridge turning potential into practical opportunities,” said Deputy Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency Lê Hoàng Tài at a conference to promote trade, investment and business connections between Việt Nam and China, which was held on Monday within the framework of the 2025 Golden Autumn Fair.

Agency statistics show that bilateral trade reached US$184 billion in the first nine months of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 23 per cent, putting the two countries on track to surpass last year’s record of $205.2 billion.

Officials from both sides at the conference highlighted growing opportunities for enterprises, as trade ties have expanded to deeper collaboration in investment, technology transfer and sustainable supply chains.

The first Autumn Fair runs until November 4, and has already attracted the participation of nearly 100 exhibitors from China showcasing products ranging from machinery, high-tech equipment and building materials to consumer goods and agricultural products.

“This is a significant opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to access supply sources, technology, machinery and materials for transforming production, improving quality and reducing costs,” Tài said, adding that a series of business networking conferences are also being held within the fair to enable firms to connect with partners and strike deals.

Li Zhandan, trade counsellor at the Chinese Embassy to Việt Nam, said the fair is a reliable platform integrating trade, investment, culture and innovation, underscoring its role in strengthening regional supply chains amid global economic uncertainty.

The upgraded ACFTA 3.0 also is expected to further boost bilateral trade by reducing tariffs, improving customs procedures and facilitating greater market access.

Việt Nam’s exports to China have risen sharply in recent months, with agricultural products such as durian, dragon fruit, mango and passion fruit registering double-digit growth. Other key exports include rice, coffee, cashew nuts, seafood, textiles and electronic components.

Việt Nam continues to import machinery, materials and industrial equipment for its manufacturing sector from China.

Large potential

According to Nguyễn Bá Hải, deputy director of the Centre for Trade and Investment Promotion under the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, Việt Nam is entering its most dynamic phase of industrial expansion in the past decade.

With over 450 international-standard industrial parks and more than 2,000 industrial clusters together with hastened efforts to improve the business climate and infrastructure system, Việt Nam has become an increasingly attractive destination for investors, he added.

Major infrastructure projects, including the railway connecting Kunming, Lào Cai, Hà Nội and Hải Phòng expected to start construction later this year, and new airports such as Long Thanh and Gia Bình, will significantly boost connectivity and logistics efficiency, he said.

With a GDP of $510 billion and income per capita reaching $5,000, Việt Nam is now among the largest economies in ASEAN. The rising middle class and fast-growing e-commerce market also create significant room for cooperation in digital trade, logistics and fintech – areas where China has advantages. 

Việt Nam's green growth strategy and goal of net zero emissions by 2050 have also created opportunities for cooperation in electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy.

Zhou Liang, director of the Investment Promotion Centre under the China Council for Promotion of International Trade of Shandong Province, said the cooperation between Shandong and localities in Việt Nam has expanded rapidly in recent years.

He added that he expects the Golden Autumn Fair 2025 will help businesses from both sides to strengthen their connections and achieve better cooperation results. — VNS