Vietnam’s imports outpace exports as trade deficit reaches US$14.02 billion
Preliminary customs data put export growth at 27.2 per cent through October 29, compared with a 37.6 per cent increase in imports.
Vietnam reported approximately US$14.02 billion in deficit on its goods trade through October 29, preliminary customs figures showed. Export earnings totalled US$493.64 billion, while spending on imports reached US$507.66 billion.
Compared with a year earlier, imports expanded by 37.6 per cent and exports by 27.2 per cent. The deficit coincided with increased purchases of materials and equipment intended for future production.
Businesses with foreign investment generated approximately US$778 billion in trade over the period, an annual increase of 37 per cent. They represented more than three-quarters of Vietnam’s overall trade. Domestic firms contributed approximately US$223 billion, with growth of 16 per cent.
China and the US continued to lead Vietnam’s trading relationships. Among other markets, Vietnamese exports increased by 42.5 per cent to Mexico, 19.1 per cent to South Korea, 18.6 per cent to Japan and 14.4 per cent to Canada.
Vietnam Customs forecasts that exports for the whole of 2026 will grow by more than 25 per cent, against a government target of 15-16 per cent. Vietnam’s goods trade totalled US$929.92 billion in 2025.
