Trade: Vietnam imports from South Korea rise 0.05 percent in August

Vietnam’s imports from South Korea edged up 0.05 percent to US$5.30 billion in August, bringing year-to-date imports to US$39.02 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.

Computers and electrical products led the flow with US$3.44 billion, up 7.92 percent month-on-month, and accounted for more than 60 percent of total imports.

Machinery and equipment dropped 14.13 percent to US$361 million, while petroleum products slumped 37.10 percent to US$173 million.

Fabrics and textile inputs also declined 24.34 percent, reflecting weaker demand in Vietnam’s garment sector.

By contrast, iron and steel imports surged 50.72 percent, reaching US$160 million, and other petroleum products more than doubled.

Vietnam–South Korea trade has expanded rapidly, with South Korea becoming one of Vietnam’s top trading partners and a leading source of foreign direct investment.

Vietnam mainly exports textiles, footwear, seafood, electronics, and agricultural products, while importing machinery, electronic components, petrochemicals, and steel from South Korea.

The Korea–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (KVFTA) and broader ASEAN–Korea frameworks have deepened market access and tariff reductions, supporting stronger bilateral flows.

South Korean companies such as Samsung, LG, and Posco play a central role in Vietnam’s manufacturing and export capacity, integrating the country into global supply chains.

See also: How to Start a Business in Vietnam That Thrives in 2025: Culture, Research, Planning & More

Vietnam imports from South Korea, August 2025 US$millions

AugustJulyMoMYTD% of YTD
Total5,304.945,302.160.05%39,018.54100%
Computers, electrical products, and spare-parts3,442.483,189.927.92%24,092.3061.75%
Machine, equipment, tools and instruments361.00420.410.00%3,090.127.92%
Plastics196.66184.616.52%1,457.233.73%
Petroleum products173.03275.06-37.10%1,300.203.33%
Iron and steel159.78106.0150.72%842.962.16%
Plastic products125.31130.04-3.64%989.202.54%
Other base metals124.55129.81-4.05%988.302.53%
Fabrics91.64121.12-24.34%926.782.38%
Chemical products71.9179.18-9.19%578.691.48%
Other products71.6077.93-8.13%660.091.69%
Parts and accessories of motor vehicles62.6274.24-15.64%614.351.57%
Iron and steel products60.1369.37-13.33%486.981.25%
Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof42.2652.83-20.00%268.320.69%
Chemicals36.4341.44-12.10%283.010.73%
Other petroleum products34.6922.4154.80%218.480.56%
Insulated wires and cables33.1540.740.00%284.490.73%
Textile, leather and footwear materials26.9134.80-22.68%289.630.74%
Rubber23.7332.55-27.10%212.040.54%
Paper23.7125.99-8.77%176.110.45%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic22.5122.470.18%154.290.40%
Other base metal products20.6924.45-15.35%156.710.40%
Pharmaceutical products12.5211.835.83%84.580.22%
Precious stones, precious metal and articles11.5510.3811.31%82.040.21%
Rubber products9.4412.32-23.36%75.390.19%
Glass and glassware7.137.52-5.22%50.470.13%
Yarn6.4710.36-37.57%73.350.19%
Other edible food preparations5.595.92-5.49%50.770.13%
Electric consumer products and parts thereof4.925.38-8.53%43.060.11%
Animal fodders and animal fodder materials4.795.25-8.89%40.550.10%
Fishery products4.4011.42-61.46%58.930.15%
Insecticides, rodenticides and materials4.3912.02-63.50%60.840.16%
Pastries, sweets and cereal products4.334.91-11.80%35.230.09%
Ores and other minerals product4.001.93106.62%12.360.03%
Paper products3.635.62-35.37%37.000.09%
Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG)3.412.8021.87%24.230.06%
Fruits and vegetables3.403.148.30%33.940.09%
Fertilizers2.6910.24-73.69%61.560.16%
Milk and milk products2.101.7619.85%16.170.04%
Still image, video cameras and parts thereof1.733.00-42.54%21.040.05%
Motor vehicles1.514.82-68.69%13.420.03%
Animal, vegetable fats and oils0.571.05-45.80%4.680.01%
Wood and wooden products0.560.69-19.44%4.960.01%
Other means of transportation, parts and0.5514.19-96.13%59.150.15%
Cotton0.440.17161.69%1.730.00%
Pharmaceutical materials0.020.05-55.91%2.830.01%
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