If the picture of Vietnam-China exports in 2023 had some "blurred spots" at the beginning of the year with growth not as expected, the pieces of the puzzle in the following months were brighter and clearer. With the growth rate of Vietnam's exports to China in the first 10 months of 2023 increasing by 5.13%, higher than the 3.18% increase of the whole previous year, it shows the synchronous solutions of the Government, ministries and branches. and especially the Ministry of Industry and Trade in its efforts to expand and bring Vietnamese goods into the Chinese market effectively, creating a solid foundation for the coming years.

A series of trade promotion solutions

Information from the Asia-Africa Market Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade said that according to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam-China import-export turnover in 2022 will reach 175.56 billion USD, an increase of 5.47 billion USD. % compared to 2021 and accounting for 24% of Vietnam's total import and export

Of which, exports to China reached 57.7 billion USD, an increase of 3.18%; Imports from China reached 117.8 billion USD, an increase of 6.63%; Trade deficit was at 60.1 billion USD, up 10.18%. China continues to be Vietnam's largest trading partner, largest import market and second largest export market, after the US.

In 2023, our country's exports to China will reverse from a decrease of 2.2% at the beginning of the year to an increase of 6.2% after 11 months.

In 2023, import-export turnover to China will improve, especially from the second quarter onwards. In the first 10 months of 2023, Vietnam's import-export turnover with China reached 138.9 billion USD. Of which, exports to China reached 49.5 billion USD (accounting for 17% of Vietnam's export value), an increase of 5.13%; Imports from China reached 89.3 billion USD (accounting for 33.4% of Vietnam's import value).

With a population of 1.411 billion people, China is an important export market for Vietnam, especially agricultural, forestry and fishery products. For example, with vegetables and fruits, exports to China account for 53.7% of goods exported abroad; Lychee exports account for 90%; Dragon fruit exports account for more than 80%... With cassava products, this market also accounts for 91.47% of the export proportion; With rubber at 71% and China is currently the third market of Vietnam's seafood exports.

The advantages of market size, consumption trends, and geographical location of the Chinese market for Vietnamese exports are clear, but to take advantage of those advantages, it's not simple. The business habit of many businesses and farmers over the years has been to "sell what they have", preferring the small-scale export method. quota, working through traders... so there is no initiative and long-term strategy, easily confused by new regulations of the importing country. Because of that, China, a close market, sometimes becomes "far away". There was a time when exported goods that did not meet import requirements had to wait at the border gate because your side amended the Food Safety Law and regulations on importing goods; Import procedures are also more strictly regulated regarding origin, labels...

The trade promotion conference with the Vietnamese Trade Office system abroad in April 2023 with the theme "Prospects for exporting Vietnamese goods to the Chinese market in the new context" has evoked many solutions. , providing a lot of market information for export businesses

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, with its management role in the field of trade, in 2023 has thoroughly implemented many solutions, accompanying businesses, industry associations and farmers in removing difficulties and promoting exports. to the Chinese market.

In the 12 business briefing conferences of 2023, the solution to bring goods to the Chinese market was carried out separately in April 2023 with the topic "Prospects for exporting Vietnamese goods to the Chinese market". in a new context". This is a timely intervention by the Ministry of Industry and Trade right after realizing that export developments in the first months of the year to the Chinese market had a less positive trend, when in the first quarter of 2023, Vietnam's export turnover to China Vietnam reached 11.9 billion USD, down 11.3% over the same period in 2022.

At this conference, export opportunities, difficulties and solutions to promote import and export with the Chinese market were identified. And in many subsequent business briefings, positive signals or regulatory changes in this market; Problems of businesses and specific industries when exporting to China... continue to be answered by the Trade Office and functional departments of the Ministry of Industry and Trade; Gather recommendations to coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to report to the Government to have appropriate and timely policy advice.

Along with that, direct trade promotion activities in the Chinese market are also focused on promoting by the Ministry of Industry and Trade through participation in exhibitions and fairs. At the ASEAN - China Expo (CAEXPO) taking place in September 2023, Vietnam's trade pavilion has the largest scale among ASEAN countries with the participation of 120 businesses and more than 200 booths. According to the Department Trade Promotion, there were about 100 Vietnamese enterprises participating in trade programs and seminars at the fair, with a total value of Commercial transactions and contract signings, investment and business cooperation agreements at the fair all reached an average of nearly 100 million USD. Besides, Vietnamese businesses have the opportunity to work and trade with about 50,000 Chinese merchants, large businesses from ASEAN countries and internationally.

Most recently, in November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnamese Embassy in China coordinated with the China Trade Promotion Commission (CCPIT) to organize the "Vietnam Trade and Trade Promotion Conference". -China". Immediately after the conference, Vietnamese businesses carried out direct B2B trade connection activities with Chinese businesses, with an estimated more than 150 transactions taking place. Along with this activity, the Department of Trade Promotion has been proactively coordinating with the Embassy, the Vietnam Trade Office in China, the Chinese CCPIT at the central and local levels to organize many Vietnamese business delegations to Translating and working at localities and fairs in China to connect directly with Chinese businesses, as well as welcome many local delegations and Chinese businesses to work in Vietnam.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with border localities such as Lao Cai to organize international trade fairs to enhance trade exchanges between the two sides, promoting the growth of import-export turnover through border gates. Lao Cai International, helping businesses learn about and penetrate the Yunnan market and create momentum to expand to other localities in China.

Proactively remove difficulties for exporting goods through border gates

Unlocking the Vietnam-China trade flow in 2023 also requires the Ministry of Industry and Trade to proactively and directly remove difficulties and facilitate the export of goods through border gates. In addition, promoting the redirection of exporting goods through border gates in the form of official quotas has also been implemented synchronously and actively.

At the end of May and early June 2023, exported goods through border gates in Lang Son province showed signs of congestion. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with the Chinese side to deploy solutions to quickly relieve congestion. Specifically, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sent an official letter to Director General of the General Department of Customs of China Yu Kien Hoa to proactively encourage the Chinese side to coordinate to facilitate customs clearance and avoid goods congestion at gate. At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade had a working session with the Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, requesting the Chinese side to coordinate in improving customs clearance efficiency at the border gate, establishing a green channel to prioritize customs clearance. for fruit, orienting businesses of the two countries to diversify border gates to forward import and export goods. In addition, the Ministry continues to maintain regular exchanges with the Chinese side (Embassy and customs), instructing the Vietnam Trade Office Branch in Nanning and Guangxi to promote border gate authorities in China. Quoc.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien discussed with Ambassador Hung Ba about industrial-trade cooperation, especially border trade cooperation between the two countries

In August 2023, participating in the working group led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong working in Lang Son, visiting and working at Huu Nghi border gate, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a short exchange. With the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam - Hung Ba, one of the contents mentioned by the Minister was to focus on promoting border trade cooperation between the two countries.

Along with solutions to directly remove difficulties for exporting goods through border gates, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also directs relevant units to create favorable conditions for issuing C/O certificates for businesses changing border gates. export. At the same time, the Ministry sent official dispatch No. 409/XNK-TMQT to the Departments of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities and business associations exporting goods to the Chinese market, requesting to proactively grasp information on the customs clearance situation. to achieve the highest efficiency in export activities.

Understand the market for sustainable export

At The Conference on Promoting Economic and Trade Cooperation in the Northern Border Provinces with China took place last weekend, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien was frank. Pointing out limitations in Vietnam-China border trade. That is, trade exchange is not commensurate with the potential, and the border gate infrastructure capacity has not been fully exploited; Agricultural and aquatic product exports are still mainly small quotas, quantity, quality, and prices are unstable; Border infrastructure is limited; The upgrading and opening of new pairs of border gates have not kept up with commercial needs; The application of new technology in managing the operations of border gates is only a pilot, not yet widespread at border gates...

Conference on Promoting economic and trade cooperation in the Northern border provinces with China in both live and online form was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the morning of December 9, 2023.

In 2023, Vietnam's export of goods to the Chinese market continues to face a number of challenges in adjusting this country's policies: the Food Safety Law was amended twice, and the Order was issued. 248 on "Regulations on Management of Registration of Imported Foreign Food Manufacturing Enterprises", and Order 249 on "Measures for Import and Export Food Safety Management", creating pressure to "standardize" for export agricultural products. In addition, China also tightened the management of imported agricultural and fishery products by only allowing import at designated border gates, requiring import business registration...

From this reality, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has continuously made notes and proposed export directions to China for businesses and industries. Mr. To Ngoc Son - Deputy Director of the Asia - Africa Market Department expressed: The perspective of exploiting the Chinese market must change, this is a market with high and strict standards, so businesses must reduce the dependence, moving towards stopping the form of "small quota" export. It is necessary to quickly and strongly shift to a formal form of trade, update new market trends and aim at producing high quality products.

In order to export sustainably to the Chinese market, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed and is asking for opinions from agencies, organizations, people and businesses on the Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 14/2018/ND-CP dated January 23, 2018 of the Government detailing border trade activities.

The roadmap to transition from "minor quota" to "official quota" exports is specifically proposed: From January 1, 2025, Vietnamese exported goods must fully meet quality standards and regulations on traceability. origin according to the requirements of the importing country, including for goods exchanged between border residents.

In addition, management agencies and local authorities in production organizations need to develop industry development strategies and brand building; Building concentrated, large-scale specialized production and farming areas; Orient production/farming according to market signals.

Regarding quality management, it is necessary to strengthen management and supervision of the quality of exported goods from farming to processing; Enhance training and replication of production models according to GLOBAL GAP, VIETGAP, HACCP standards.

Regarding the issue of removing technical barriers, it is necessary to effectively utilize the cooperation mechanism between the two countries to remove difficulties in technical barriers; Develop a roadmap and plan to open the market for export products, evaluate domestic production capacity and market demand.

For businesses, they must research and comply with regulations on quality standards, testing, quarantine, packaging, and traceability of the Chinese market; Focus on building and protecting brands; Take advantage of the Vietnam-China intermodal railway.

One of the contents mentioned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade is increasing regional access. Besides traditional markets such as Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, export businesses need to pay attention to potential markets in the West, East, and Southwest of China.