US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture leads trade delegation to Viet Nam

The delegation comprises representatives from 43 US companies and 37 trade and industry organisations, seeking business connections and opportunities to expand agricultural trade with Viet Nam.

Led by US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Alexander Vaden, the delegation is the largest ever sent to Viet Nam by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). It comprises representatives from 43 US companies, 37 trade and industry organisations, as well as agricultural officials from the states of California, Kansas and Wisconsin. The delegation is scheduled to visit Ho Chi Minh City from November 9 to 12.

The mission aims to connect US exporters directly with Vietnamese buyers, importers and distributors, helping them explore business opportunities in one of Asia’s most dynamic and rapidly growing markets.

“Viet Nam is already one of the largest markets for US agricultural exports, with considerable potential for further growth,” Deputy Secretary Vaden said.

According to Vaden, bringing US businesses together with Vietnamese partners will help build long-term trade relationships. This will benefit both US producers and consumers in importing markets, while contributing to the diversification of global supply chains.

Data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that Viet Nam was the seventh-largest market for US agricultural and related product exports in 2025, with export value reaching nearly US$5.6 billion, up 38% from the previous year.

In Viet Nam, US cotton, soybeans and animal feed ingredients are helping meet the needs of the country's manufacturing and livestock sectors. Meanwhile, rising incomes, together with the expansion of retail networks and food processing, are creating opportunities for a wider range of US products, including fruit, dairy products, meat and specialty foods.

Beyond food products, the USDA also sees opportunities in Viet Nam's growing biofuel market. The country's ethanol blending requirements could create new demand for US corn growers and ethanol producers.

During their four-day visit to Ho Chi Minh City, delegation members will take part in business-to-business (B2B) meetings, market briefings, site visits and product promotion activities. These events are designed to introduce US agricultural products to Vietnamese consumers while strengthening trade ties between businesses in the two countries.

The trade mission to Viet Nam is part of the USDA's broader efforts to expand agricultural trade across Southeast Asia. It also follows a visit in March 2026 under the Trade Reciprocity Initiative for US Producers and Manufacturers (TRUMP).

Minh Hanh