Driving from the domestic business sector
According to information from the Customs Department, the total import-export value of Vietnam's goods in April 2025 reached 74.31 billion USD, down 1.4% compared to the previous month. Of which, exports decreased by 2.8%, down to 37.44 billion USD, while imports remained at the same level in March with 36.87 billion USD. The trade balance has a surplus of 570 million USD, marking a clear decrease compared to the first months of the year.
In the first 4 months of the year, total import-export turnover reached 276.89 billion USD, up 15.7% over the same period last year. Exports reached 140.34 billion USD (up 13%), while imports were 136.55 billion USD (up 18.6%). However, the trade surplus is only 3.8 billion USD, down sharply by 58.2% compared to 9.05 billion USD in the first 4 months of 2024.
Domestic enterprises continue to make their mark with an import-export growth rate higher than the foreign-invested enterprise (FDI). The total import-export value of the domestic market reached 92.51 billion USD, up 19.2% over the same period last year. Of which, exports reached 41.25 billion USD (up 16.8%) and imports were 51.26 billion USD (up 21.1%). Meanwhile, the FDI sector reached 184.38 billion USD in import-export turnover (up 14%), accounting for a large proportion but growing lower.
The United States continues to be Vietnam's largest export market with a turnover of 43.41 billion USD, up to 25.1%. Followed by the EU (18.44 billion USD, up 13%) and China (18.1 billion USD, up 3.1%). On the other hand, China is still the largest import market, accounting for 39% of the total value with an increase of 26.5%, reaching 53.16 billion USD. The groups of goods imported from China that increased the most include: electronic components, machinery and equipment, fabric and phones.
Exports in the first 4 months of the year increase to record level
Although goods exports in April decreased slightly, the accumulated amount in the first 4 months of the year still reached a record high of 140.34 billion USD. Notably, the group of computers, electronic products and components led with a turnover of 29.26 billion USD, up 36.2%. This commodity accounts for 21% of total export value and increased sharply in many markets such as the United States (up 57.6%), South Korea (up 42.3%) or the EU (up 32%).
Exports of textiles, footwear, toys - sports and wood all recorded good growth. Shoes reached 7.6 billion USD (up 14.5%), of which the US and EU markets accounted for 63%. Toys, sports equipment and parts increased to 83.6% with a turnover of 1.77 billion USD, the US market alone accounted for nearly 2/3.
On the other hand, phones and components - the main export commodity group - decreased by 1.9% in value compared to the same period last year, although still reaching 17.8 billion USD. Rice also decreased sharply in value (down 13.3%) due to an average unit price decrease of nearly 20%, although export volume still increased by 8.1%.
Import is concentrated in the group of components and machinery
The total import value in the first 4 months reached 136.55 billion USD, up 18.6%. Of which, the group of computers, electronic products and components increased the most with 42.88 billion USD (up 35.4%), accounting for nearly 1/3 of total import turnover. In particular, the four markets of China, Korea, Taiwan (China) and Japan account for 81% of the supply for this group of goods.
The machinery and equipment group also increased by 24.3%, reaching 17.58 billion USD. The group of common metals, flexible raw materials, textile and footwear accessories also increased sharply in both quantity and import value.
In the downstream, some commodity groups such as steel and fuel have reduced import value due to an average decrease in unit prices, despite increased output. Of which, imports of fuel groups such as coal, crude oil, and gas reached more than 33 million tons but the value decreased by nearly 10% over the same period.
Notably, imports of completely built-up cars increased by 48.5%, reaching nearly 65,000 vehicles in 4 months. Of which, cars imported from Thailand, Indonesia and China accounted for the largest proportion.
