DURIAN EXPORTS PROJECTED TO HIT US$1 BILLION IN Q1
Vietnam can gain US$1 billion in revenue from durian products exports within the first quarter of this year, provided that customs clearance at northern border gates remains favorable. This optimistic outlook was given by the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade following a good start to the year, with January figures reaching over US$117 million, up by a staggering 275% year-on-year.
VIETNAM EYES US$550-BILLION EXPORT TARGET AMIDST PRESSURE FOR HIGHER VALUE-ADDED GROWTH
To achieve the ambitious export target for 2026, Vietnam must maintain average monthly revenue of US$45-46 billion, a feat that requires an urgent shift from volume-based growth to higher value-added strategies. This demand comes as factories nationwide rapidly reactivate production lines post-Tet to meet a steady flow of orders, even as global market uncertainties and rising costs squeeze profit margins.
SHRIMP EXPORTS TO CHINA, U.S. GROW
Vietnam’s shrimp exports are picking up early this year, buoyed by stronger demand from China and lower U.S. anti-dumping duties, helping the seafood sector pursue its US$11.5 billion export goal. Shrimp is expected to contribute nearly half. As of February 15, seafood export revenue reached nearly US$1.46 billion, making seafood one of the top three agricultural export earners, according to Vietnam Customs.
CHINESE CARS TOP VIETNAM IMPORTS, SURPASS INDONESIA AND THAILAND
China became the largest exporter of completely built-up (CBU) cars to Vietnam in January, with 6,661 units, surpassing Indonesia and Thailand, according to the Department of Vietnam Customs. Vietnam imported 15,042 CBU vehicles worth US$385 million in January. Import volume rose 2.3% from the previous month, while total value fell 5.2%, customs data show.
CAT LAI PORT TO HANDLE 1.6 MILLION TONS OF CARGO OVER TET
On Lunar New Year’s Eve (Feb. 16), Tan Cang–Cat Lai Port in HCMC processed approximately 11,200 TEUs, equivalent to 155,000 tons of goods, marking a strong start to Lunar New Year operations with a combined throughput of 1.6 million tons of cargo. Following this start, the Marine Economic Corps (Corps 20) under Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) officially launched its first cargo handling ceremony for the Year of the Horse 2026 on the night of Feb. 16.
DANANG AIRPORT PLANS TO SERVE 20 MILLION PASSENGERS ANNUALLY THROUGH 2050
Danang International Airport will handle 20 million passengers annually through 2050 and expand its aircraft parking capacity to about 52 stands, under a master plan approved by the Ministry of Construction. The approval covers development for 2021–2030 with a long-term vision to 2050. The airport will continue operating as a joint civil and military facility within the national airport system.
QUANG NINH STARTS WORK ON SMART BORDER GATE IN MONG CAI
The northern province of Quang Ninh on February 11 launched construction of a pilot smart border gate at the Mong Cai–Dongxing international crossing, with first-phase funding totaling nearly VND947 billion. The pilot will be implemented at Bac Luan I Bridge for passenger traffic and Bac Luan II Bridge for cargo, under a proposal approved by the prime minister.
VIETNAM BECOMES SOUTH KOREA’S TOP EXPORT MARKET IN ASEAN
South Korea’s imports from Vietnam also rose strongly, climbing 11.7% to US$31.8 billion, according to figures released on January 26 by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of South Korea and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA). Total two-way trade increased 9% to US$94.5 billion, from US$86.8 billion in 2024.
