(VOVWORLD) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become Vietnam’s largest trade partner in the Middle East, a senior official said at a workshop hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Hanoi on Thursday.
 Trade with the UAE tops the agenda of a workshop in Hanoi, September 18, 2025. (Photo: Xuan Lan/VOV) |
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of the Center for Trade and Investment Promotion, said Dubai’s role in the region made it an important hub for Vietnamese businesses looking to expand overseas.
“Dubai is the leading trading center in the Middle East. It’s not only a major destination for goods consumption, but also serves as a bridge for Vietnamese goods to further penetrate Africa, South Asia and Europe. Vietnamese enterprises expanding reach in Dubai will be of strategic significance in stabilizing the supply chain and competitiveness,” said Ms. Thuy.
Trade between Vietnam and the UAE surged 50% from 2023 to 2024 to reach 12 billion USD, official data shows. The figure is expected to climb further once the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement takes effect later this year.