The central government has finalized the consolidation of provincial administrative units, resulting in 34 provinces and centrally governed cities - 28 provinces and 6 cities.

This restructuring aims to expand development space and maximize the unique strengths and potential of each locality.

So how have export rankings shifted before and after the provincial mergers?

According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s total goods export turnover reached USD 405.53 billion in 2024, a 14.3% increase from 2023.

Ho Chi Minh City led all localities with USD 47 billion in export value in 2024. Following were Bac Ninh with USD 39 billion, Binh Duong with nearly USD 34.8 billion, Bac Giang with USD 31 billion, and Hai Phong with more than USD 30.5 billion.

The rest of the top 10 included Thai Nguyen (USD 27.34 billion), Dong Nai (nearly USD 24 billion), Hanoi (approximately USD 19.2 billion), Vinh Phuc (nearly USD 15.1 billion), and Phu Tho (USD 12.8 billion).

Post-merger export rankings reveal major shifts

When calculating export values based on the merged structure of 34 provinces and centrally governed cities, significant changes emerge.

Based on 2024 data, Ho Chi Minh City still ranks first in goods exports post-merger, with nearly USD 89 billion - accounting for 21.9% of the national total.

Bac Ninh, after merging with Bac Giang, secures the second position with over USD 70 billion in export value, representing 17.3% of the national total.

Hai Phong ranks third with USD 40.9 billion in exports, or 10% of the national total.

Together, Hai Phong and Bac Ninh have become the northern region’s industrial strongholds, jointly contributing more than USD 110 billion in exports.

Phu Tho makes a surprise leap

In a surprising development, Phu Tho jumped to fifth place after the mergers - behind Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Dong Nai - with USD 28.44 billion in export turnover.

Before the merger, Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho ranked ninth and tenth, respectively, in the national export rankings.

Other provinces in the post-merger top 10 include Thai Nguyen (USD 27.38 billion), Hanoi (USD 19.2 billion), Tay Ninh (USD 16.2 billion), Ninh Binh (nearly USD 16 billion), and Dong Thap (nearly USD 9.1 billion).

Previously, Tay Ninh ranked 12th among 63 provinces and cities, while Ninh Binh and Dong Thap were only in the group with USD 2-3 billion in export turnover.

Among the 34 merged provinces and cities, six have export turnovers under USD 1 billion: Quang Tri, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Son La, Lai Chau, and Dien Bien. Notably, Dien Bien recorded the lowest export value in the country, at just USD 8.5 million.

The remaining provinces and cities posted export turnovers ranging from USD 1 billion to just under USD 9 billion.

(This article uses preliminary 2024 trade data from the General Department of Customs. The figures for 34 provinces and centrally governed cities reflect aggregated values based on the provincial restructuring plan outlined in Resolution 60 of the 11th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee.)

Tam An