Vietnam’s trade sector has delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks of 2025.
After months of uncertainty driven by reciprocal U.S. tariffs and global trade frictions, July brought a surge in both imports and exports that signaled renewed momentum across the economy.
For companies operating in Vietnam — or sourcing from its factories — this rebound is more than a headline. It reshapes staffing needs, accelerates demand for specialized roles, and highlights new directions in compliance, sustainability, and global market diversification.
In this article, we break down the latest trade data, explain what it means for businesses, and highlight the eight roles most in demand right now, playing a critical role in Vietnam’s global integration.
At Remote Resources, we help businesses respond to these shifts with flexible, skilled staff-leasing solutions.
A record-breaking summer for imports and exports
According to Vietnam’s General Statistics Office, trade activity surged in July 2025, with total import–export turnover reaching $82.27 billion. That represents an 8% increase from June and is 16.8% higher than the same month last year.
Looking at the broader trend, Vietnam recorded $514.7 billion in trade turnover between January and July 2025, which is a 16.3% year-on-year increase compared to the same seven-month period in 2024.
In other words, both the monthly snapshot and the year-to-date results confirm that Vietnam’s trade rebound is not just a short-term spike, but part of a sustained upward trajectory.
- Exports totaled $262.44 billion, up 14.8% year-on-year.
- Imports reached $252.26 billion, up 17.9%.
- The country recorded a trade surplus of $10.18 billion by the end of July.
Additionally, the S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 52.4 in July, crossing back above the 50-point threshold for the first time in four months (with readings above 50 signaling expansion in business activity and those below 50 indicating contraction).
Finally, new export orders increased for the fourth consecutive month — the fastest pace since late 2024. This is a critical signal: manufacturing output is not just recovering, but expanding.
What’s driving the Vietnamese rebound?
1. Front-loading ahead of U.S. tariffs
Vietnamese exporters rushed to ship goods before the U.S. imposed reciprocal tariffs in August. At the same time, Vietnam boosted imports of American timber and cotton to demonstrate goodwill and narrow the bilateral trade gap.
Why it matters for hiring: Exporters and logistics companies face short-term spikes in demand for customs compliance officers, export documentation staff, and trade policy consultants. Companies need agile staffing to handle this front-loading wave without overcommitting long-term resources.
2. China and new markets pick up steam
While U.S. demand remains central, Vietnamese exports to China jumped 42.6% in the first seven months, largely driven by seafood such as shrimp and squid. The government also outlined strategies to expand into the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
Why it matters for hiring: Market diversification requires multilingual sales teams, local-market researchers, and digital export managers. Companies moving into new geographies need bilingual account managers and e-commerce professionals who understand both Vietnamese supply chains and foreign buyers’ expectations.
3. “Greening” as a competitive edge
Vietnamese exporters are increasingly linking sustainable practices with competitiveness. From biomass boilers and solar power at recycled paper factories, to green farming initiatives in agriculture, companies are investing in cleaner technologies and international certifications.
- JP Corelex Vietnam reports zero foreign client complaints after adopting FSC/FDA-certified standards.
- Nafoods Group secured a $20 million financing deal to expand green farming and cut emissions.
Why it matters for hiring: Sustainability isn’t optional anymore.
Exporters now require ESG officers, environmental auditors, compliance specialists, and engineers to meet U.S., EU, and Japanese standards. Staff with expertise in certification processes and reporting can add direct value to exporters aiming for premium markets.
4. Foreign-invested firms drive most growth
In the January–July period, foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) accounted for 74.3% of Vietnam’s total exports, while the domestic sector contributed just 25.7%.
This reflects Vietnam’s status as one of Asia’s top destinations for foreign direct investment, with major global players continuing to expand operations. Electronics suppliers to brands like Samsung remain central to export growth, while new high-profile projects — such as Lego’s billion-dollar carbon-neutral factory in Binh Duong — underscore Vietnam’s long-term appeal for sustainable, large-scale manufacturing.
Why it matters for hiring: FIEs often require bilingual project managers, procurement specialists, and QA/QC testers who can coordinate across cultures and time zones. Staff leasing provides an efficient way to access vetted professionals who understand both local processes and global expectations, ensuring smoother collaboration between Vietnam and international headquarters.
5. Agricultural and seafood resilience
Staple agricultural exports such as pepper and coffee remain resilient despite tariff pressure. Pepper prices tripled and coffee prices doubled, fueling revenue growth. Vietnam also maintains nearly 50% of the global pepper market share, further reinforcing its role in global supply chains.
Seafood exports reached $6.22 billion in the first seven months (+17.2% year-on-year). Shipments to the U.S. rose 10.4%, while exports to China soared 42.6%.
Why it matters for hiring: Agro-processing companies need quality controllers, food safety auditors, and export coordinators who can ensure compliance with international standards like HACCP or IFS.
The staffing implications: 8 roles in demand right now
These trade and investment shifts are fueling demand for a wide spectrum of professionals across industries.
Some roles are sector-specific, while others align closely with the creative and IT expertise that Remote Resources provides.
- Export Documentation Specialists — handling shipping paperwork, customs clearance, and tariff compliance.
- Customs Brokers & Compliance Officers — navigating reciprocal tariffs and anti-dumping regulations.
- Bilingual Sales & Account Managers — expanding into Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Latin American markets.
- E-commerce Export Managers — building digital sales channels for global buyers (supported by web developers, UX/UI designers, and digital marketers who create and optimize these platforms).
- Quality Control / QA Testers — particularly in electronics, textiles, and food processing (mirrored in the growing need for outsourced QA/QC testers in software, apps, and e-commerce).
- Sustainability & ESG Officers — ensuring eco-certification and reporting standards.
- Procurement & Supply Chain Specialists — managing imports of raw materials (timber, cotton, machinery).
- Project Managers for FDI Enterprises — coordinating cross-border teams and reporting to global HQs (similar to the IT project managers and Scrum masters increasingly requested by international clients).
Our perspective: Among these eight roles, the surge in e-commerce export managers, QA/QC testers, and project managers shows how digital and IT staffing is becoming a backbone of global trade and investment.
Why staff leasing is the smart move
Despite tariff tensions and shifting global demand, Vietnam continues to attract foreign investment, diversify its export markets, and deliver consistent year-on-year growth.
For businesses, the challenge is less about volatility and more about keeping pace with the country’s rapid expansion and rising standards.
Scaling teams strategically — in compliance, digital operations, or quality control — ensures companies can seize Vietnam opportunities without overstretching resources.
This is where Remote Resources’ staff leasing model delivers:
- Flexibility — scale teams up or down quickly depending on trade flows.
- Specialized talent — access bilingual staff with sector-specific expertise.
- Cost efficiency — avoid long-term overheads while meeting urgent export demands.
- Local insight — leverage staff who understand Vietnam’s regulatory and cultural landscape.
Looking ahead
With total trade turnover already exceeding half a trillion USD in just seven months, Vietnam is on track to surpass its 2025 targets, despite Trump’s tariffs.
The government has set ambitious goals: 12% export growth for the year and a $30 billion trade surplus. Success will depend not only on policy, but also on how quickly enterprises can adapt — through diversification, greening, and strategic hiring.
For international businesses sourcing from Vietnam, and for exporters scaling up, the message is clear: staffing agility is now a competitive edge.
Remote Resources: Your partner in navigating Vietnam’s export rebound
At Remote Resources, we help businesses unlock Vietnam’s trade potential by providing skilled, flexible digital teams.
From QA/QC testers ensuring reliable platforms, to web developers, designers, and digital marketers powering global e-commerce, to project managers coordinating cross-border IT initiatives, our staff-leasing solutions deliver the right people at the right time.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your export-driven growth in 2025 and beyond.
