Vietnam’s 2025 Economic Surge: China’s Dual Role Boosts Growth but Deepens Trade Deficit

Vietnam’s economy is growing rapidly through China-linked supply chains and exports, bringing it closer to Thailand’s GDP.
Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong. Vietnam’s economy is growing rapidly through China-linked supply chains and exports, bringing it closer to Thailand’s GDP. (Image: Nhac Nguyen / AFP)

Vietnam’s economic story in the first two months of 2025 took an interesting turn, driven largely by deepening ties with China.

While the country enjoyed robust export gains and a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI), its trade deficit with China widened significantly, reaching $15.4 billion—an increase of 36.9%.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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