Hanoi (VNA)ꦑ – National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s official visit to Malaysia for the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) underscores their resolve to deepen ties and is expected to unlock fresh opportunities in economic and trade cooperation.

Close trading partners

Malaysia is Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth globally, as well as a key investor with 731 valid projects worth about 13 billion USD. Bilateral trade reached 9.23 billion USD by July 2025, up 8% year-on-year, nearing the 18 billion USD target. Vietnam exports electronics, petroleum, coffee, pepper, steel and rubber to Malaysia, while importing machinery, petroleum and mechanical equipment from this country. According to experts, Malaysia is considered a market with strong purchasing power, diverse demand, and particularly close cultural similarities with Vietnamese consumers. Moreover, both countries are members of several regional free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which provide market openness and low barriers for Vietnam’s exports. Malaysia’s shortage of essentials like rice, seafood and processed foods offers Vietnam a strong opportunity to expand exports, provided supportive policies are timely and sufficient. However, Vietnamese firms face strong competition from China, Thailand, and Indonesia; Halal certification requirements; cultural and language differences; and limited market engagement. Coffee remains a major export, but mainly as raw beans rather than branded products.

Support and connectivity

Vietnam’s Trade Office in Malaysia has promoted Vietnamese goods at fairs such as the Malaysia International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB), introducing products from major brands like Acecook, Masan, Vinamilk, Trung Nguyen and King Coffee. Earlier, the Trade Office invited Malaysian businesses to a trade programme in Lao Cai province, providing insights into border gate development and creating new investment opportunities. Malaysian firms also sought connections with Vietnamese exporters of Halal-certified processed foods and beverages. At the 4th Vietnam-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien reaffirmed Malaysia’s importance as a key partner, with both sides working towards a bilateral cooperation agreement. He urged both sides to enhance their efforts and implement measures to leverage each other's potential and strengths, thus promoting more comprehensive and meaningful economic and trade cooperation. To help bilateral trade soon reach 18 billion USD, Vietnam’s Trade Office in Malaysia will step up promotion and business networking through fairs and exhibitions tailored to domestic firms and importers. Businesses should employ proactive and long-term strategies, invest in Halal certification, branding and marketing, and see Malaysia not only as a market but also as a gateway to ASEAN and the wider Islamic world. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will step up trade promotion to support Vietnamese exporters in Malaysia, focusing on fairs, partner verification, and cooperation with the Malaysian Trade Office. It also urged firms to prioritise Halal-certified products and essential goods such as rice and eggs, and to showcase items through the Trade Office’s sample room and embassy events./.