The Asia - US ocean peak season in 2025 arrived early and cooled quickly: rates surged in the early - mid year but flattened and fell in Q3-Q4. US retailers turned cautious, with full - year imports projected to drop 5.6% versus 2024. In this “early peak - long trough” setting, Vietnamese exporters must rethink booking plans, contracts, and risk hedging to protect margins and delivery schedules.