May customs data has shown that Vietnam imported 6.5 million tons of coal in May representing a 10 percent increase in coal imports over April. This is inline with reports that Vietnam is ramping up its coal-fired power production to stave off the electricity shortages northern Vietnam experienced over the summer months of 2023.

Of note, the price it is paying to its key suppliers has varied widely over the first five months of the year. Its most expensive coal imports have come from China averaging US$294.57 per ton versus its cheapest coal imports from Laos which have cost US$65.79 a ton by the same metric. On average, it has paid US$160 per ton.

The spot price for coal at the time of writing was US$109 per ton.

Vietnam’s coal imports, May 2024

	May		Year to date
Source	Tons	US$	Tons	US$	Avg. per ton
Australia	1,428,148	225,743,554	6,994,620	1,205,544,801	172.35
Indonesia	3,399,238	316,609,645	11,362,241	1,063,924,697	93.64
Russia	500,862	84,355,909	2,476,623	471,371,799	190.33
China	101,744	28,632,845	267,632	78,835,675	294.57
Laos	307,411	18,911,792	972,424	63,979,024	65.79
Malaysia	100	36,007	31,843	2,914,953	91.54
Japan	3,142	797,966	3,157	809,886	256.54
Other	756,378	93,085,479	4,956,471	576,345,366	116.28
Total	6,497,023	768,173,197	27,065,011	3,463,726,201	160.13

Source: General Department of Customs

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