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Vietnam is rapidly emerging as one of Asia’s most dynamic trade powerhouses. In 2025 alone, the country has posted a record high of double-digit growth in import-export turnover, with a projected trade surplus exceeding $20 billion.

Trade finance - historically one of the most document-heavy and manually operated areas in banking - is experiencing a radical shift. At the core of this evolution is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Far from being just a buzzword, AI is emerging as a practical force driving efficiency, accuracy, and strategic insight across the trade finance value chain.

In 2024, 84% of companies reported experiencing supply chain disruptions - a staggering figure that underlines a new normal shaped by geopolitical instability, trade tariffs and volatile commodity markets. As we look ahead to the second half of 2025, companies must adopt more proactive, tech-enabled approaches to stay resilient in the face of growing uncertainty.

The current trade wars driven by US tariffs have significantly altered the economic landscape, affecting trade flows and increasing costs for businesses worldwide. The tariffs are resulting in huge supply chain disruption, increased currency volatility and contributing to rising inflation and slowing economic growth, which poses great challenges for accurate financial planning and forecasting. Companies the world over are having to re-evaluate trading partners, funding strategies and risk management practices.

As trade finance continues to digitize at a rapid pace, compliance is expanding beyond the ever-changing regulatory checks and due diligence. For example, banks looking to adopt trade finance software must ensure they are meeting the current standards in accessibility, digital resilience, and document compliance. For practitioners, understanding these areas is essential, not just for audit readiness, but for ensuring smooth, secure, and efficient operations. Here's a quick high-level summary of key considerations you need to know right now!

For the past two decades, I have witnessed the evolution of transaction banking from cash management, payments and treasury services transitioning from paper-based processes to digital workflows, from siloed systems to interconnected ecosystems, and from legacy infrastructure to cloud-based platforms. However, the one area that has historically lagged in this transformation is trade finance.