According to the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), Vietnam’s total import-export turnover reached nearly $356 billion in the first five months of 2025, a rise of 15.7% compared to the same period last year.
Strong Growth in Trade Activity
In May alone, the total import and export turnover hit $78.64 billion, up 5.8% over the previous month and 15.5% year-on-year. For the first five months, exports reached $180.23 billion (up 14.0%), while imports totaled $175.56 billion (up 17.5%), resulting in a trade surplus of $4.67 billion.
Exports Maintain Momentum, FDI Leads
Exports continued to rise, with the foreign-invested (FDI) sector taking the lead—accounting for $130.61 billion (up 14.5%), or 72.5% of total exports. The domestic sector contributed $49.62 billion (up 12.5%). Notably, FDI export value jumped 20.1% in May versus April, while the domestic sector dropped 26.1%.
In the first five months, 25 export items exceeded $1 billion each, accounting for 90% of total export value; seven items surpassed $5 billion, representing 67.3%. Processed industrial products remained the main export group at $158.93 billion (88.2%), followed by agricultural and forestry products ($15.88 billion), seafood ($4.21 billion), and fuel and minerals ($1.21 billion).
The United States remained Vietnam’s largest export market ($57.2 billion), with a trade surplus of $49.9 billion (up 28.5%). Trade surpluses were also recorded with the EU ($16.3 billion, up 16%) and Japan ($0.9 billion, up 74.8%).
Imports Accelerate, Trade Surplus Narrows
May imports totaled $39.04 billion, up 5.9% month-on-month and 14.1% year-on-year. Cumulatively, imports hit $175.56 billion (up 17.5%). The domestic sector imported $62.04 billion (up 12.9%), while FDI imports soared to $113.52 billion (up 20.2%).
There were 29 imported items valued over $1 billion each, making up 86.9% of total import value. Production materials continued to dominate imports ($164.75 billion, 93.8%), especially machinery, equipment, tools, and parts (51.2%), and raw materials, fuel, and materials (42.6%). Consumer goods imports reached $10.81 billion (6.2%).
China remained the largest import partner, supplying $69.4 billion worth of goods in five months. Vietnam ran a $45.9 billion trade deficit with China (up 40.3%). Other major sources of trade deficit were South Korea ($12.3 billion) and ASEAN ($6.5 billion).
Trade Balance and Outlook
In May, Vietnam posted a trade surplus of $0.56 billion, slightly lower than in April. Overall, the country achieved a trade surplus of $4.67 billion in the first five months of 2025, down from $8.71 billion a year ago. The domestic sector posted a $12.42 billion trade deficit, while the FDI sector (including crude oil) recorded a $17.09 billion surplus.
The data shows a strong recovery in Vietnam’s international trade, even as trade balance pressures are increasing due to rising imports.
