Intra-ASEAN Trade: Vietnam’s imports from Thailand edge down 1.89 percent in August

Vietnam imported US$1.12 billion worth of goods from Thailand in August 2025, down 1.89 percent month-on-month, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.

Year-to-date imports reached US$8.58 billion.

Computers and electrical products led the inflows with US$171 million in August, rising 3.8 percent from July and totalling US$1.16 billion year-to-date.

Motor vehicles, however, slumped 22 percent to US$113 million, though still accounted for nearly 11 percent of total imports.

Other key items included machinery (US$90 million), base metals (US$73 million), plastics (US$63 million), and electrical consumer products (US$39 million).

Animal and food-related products showed sharp swings.

Imports of animal and vegetable fats surged 156 percent month-on-month, while fruits and vegetables rose 42 percent.

Fishery products more than doubled to US$1.9 million.

In contrast, rubber declined by nearly 38 percent and ores fell by 31 percent.

Pharmaceuticals and chemicals remained small but steady categories, while niche items such as precious stones and pastry goods showed strong monthly gains.

Of note, Vietnam–Thailand trade has grown steadily, making Thailand one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners in ASEAN.

Bilateral exchanges are shaped by complementary strengths: Vietnam exports machinery, electronics, agricultural products, and seafood, while importing petrochemicals, plastics, automobiles, and processed foods from Thailand.

Trade has been boosted by the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and other regional frameworks, which have reduced tariffs and expanded market access.

Thai firms have also invested heavily in Vietnam, particularly in retail, energy, and manufacturing, deepening economic links beyond goods exchange.

See also: Vietnam Trade: Exports, Imports & FTAs

Vietnam import data for Thailand in August 2025 US$millions

AugustJulyMoMYTD% of YTD
Total1,115.611,137.05-1.89%8,583.30100%
Computers, electrical products, and spare parts171.33165.043.81%1,157.3513.48%
Other products129.51122.960.00%957.6711.16%
Motor vehicles113.47145.42-21.97%935.1610.90%
Machine, equipment, tools and instruments89.7592.41-2.88%691.278.05%
Other base metals73.3880.72-9.10%542.996.33%
Parts and accessories of motor vehicles64.8268.00-4.67%496.345.78%
Plastics62.5061.222.09%458.855.35%
Electric consumer products and parts thereof39.5041.99-5.93%653.067.61%
Chemical products33.6030.978.46%245.492.86%
Chemicals30.5327.6910.26%243.892.84%
Textile, leather and footwear materials and25.3328.84-12.16%220.222.57%
Petroleum products23.4123.83-1.78%114.041.33%
Plastic products22.1324.14-8.32%171.732.00%
Fabrics17.2418.49-6.79%153.471.79%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic16.2015.196.63%108.911.27%
Rubber15.0024.150.00%130.381.52%
Iron and steel products14.6112.7914.27%101.631.18%
Wood and wooden products13.5712.468.90%93.961.09%
Paper12.6312.71-0.65%98.011.14%
Still image, video cameras and parts thereof12.5410.3920.67%55.180.64%
Yarn12.539.1736.61%74.610.87%
Fruits and vegetables12.178.5642.24%44.550.52%
Animal fodders and animal fodder materials11.7911.730.47%84.690.99%
Animal, vegetable fats and oils10.694.18155.76%54.520.64%
Insulated wires and cables10.409.3511.21%78.580.92%
Other edible food preparations9.748.6712.36%57.600.67%
Rubber products9.049.11-0.76%64.360.75%
Paper products7.655.9129.40%44.720.52%
Pastries, sweets and cereal products7.417.232.56%46.210.54%
Other petroleum products6.787.07-4.04%49.250.57%
Milk and milk products5.425.55-2.37%45.800.53%
Glass and glassware4.754.593.41%39.010.45%
Pharmaceutical products4.534.490.91%49.170.57%
Other base metal products4.415.45-19.15%40.030.47%
Precious stones, precious metal and articles3.862.4955.08%26.760.31%
Iron and steel3.803.84-1.22%30.050.35%
Ores and other minerals product3.094.48-31.01%66.090.77%
Insecticides, rodenticides and materials2.293.46-33.70%28.270.33%
Maize (corn)2.211.1887.03%12.760.15%
Fishery products1.920.88117.06%12.070.14%
Fertilizers0.080.22-64.01%2.460.03%
Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG)0.000.000.00%1.270.01%
Pharmaceutical materials0.000.000.00%0.850.01%
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