Vietnam’s exports to South Korea fell 6.8 percent month-on-month to an estimated US$2.45 billion in September 2025, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Computers, electrical products, and spare parts were the largest export group, rising 6.6 percent to US$827 million.
Shipments of textiles and garments dropped 14.6 percent to US$311 million, while telephones and related components fell 11.2 percent to US$308 million.
Machinery exports declined nearly 10 percent to US$260 million, and transport-related parts were down 8.8 percent at US$134 million.
Several smaller categories recorded notable growth, including petroleum products up 38.6 percent, iron and steel up 57.6 percent, and tyre cord fabrics up 21.6 percent.
However, exports of wood products, footwear, and agricultural goods such as rubber and pepper all declined sharply.
For the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s total exports to South Korea reached US$21.37 billion.
South Korea is one of Vietnam’s top trading partners and a major source of investment, technology, and industrial inputs.
Bilateral trade is driven by electronics, machinery, and materials, with South Korean firms such as Samsung, LG, and Hyosung playing central roles in Vietnam’s export-oriented manufacturing sector.
Vietnam exports smartphones, textiles, and agricultural products to South Korea, while importing semiconductors, components, and petrochemical products.
Both countries are members of major regional trade frameworks like RCEP, and ongoing cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and digital industries continues to deepen economic ties.
See also: Vietnam Trade: Exports, Imports & FTAs
Vietnam exports to South Korea in September 2025 US$millions
| September | August | Change | YTD | |
| Total | 2,449.27 | 2,628.38 | -6.81% | 21,372.92 |
| Computers, electrical products, and spare-parts | 826.90 | 775.60 | 6.61% | 6,311.57 |
| Textiles and garments | 311.07 | 364.07 | -14.56% | 2,268.64 |
| Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof | 308.05 | 346.93 | -11.21% | 3,009.65 |
| Machine, equipment, tools and instruments | 259.86 | 288.45 | -9.91% | 2,337.01 |
| Other means of transportation, and parts | 133.72 | 146.54 | -8.75% | 1,339.80 |
| Other products | 121.28 | 147.13 | -17.57% | 1,165.91 |
| Fishery products | 74.87 | 78.72 | -4.89% | 614.59 |
| Wood and wooden products | 45.72 | 60.61 | -24.57% | 538.89 |
| Insulated wires and cables | 33.09 | 39.20 | -15.59% | 330.79 |
| Footwear | 31.42 | 58.26 | -46.07% | 466.52 |
| Still image, video cameras and parts thereof | 31.32 | 37.88 | -17.32% | 323.58 |
| Other base metals and other base metal products | 28.12 | 31.69 | -11.28% | 292.06 |
| Yarn | 24.92 | 26.45 | -5.79% | 266.14 |
| Fruits and vegetables | 24.84 | 28.55 | -13.00% | 237.13 |
| Petroleum products | 24.83 | 17.91 | 38.63% | 190.77 |
| Plastic products | 23.69 | 25.76 | -8.02% | 217.17 |
| Chemical products | 19.72 | 23.09 | -14.57% | 101.22 |
| Chemicals | 17.97 | 17.21 | 4.42% | 113.00 |
| Iron and steel products | 16.12 | 16.64 | -3.11% | 145.90 |
| Iron and steel | 13.10 | 8.31 | 57.57% | 201.72 |
| Coffee | 12.27 | 13.30 | -7.70% | 165.88 |
| Handbags, purses, suitcases, and headgear | 10.56 | 14.02 | -24.69% | 113.49 |
| Pastries, sweets and cereal products | 8.21 | 8.06 | 1.83% | 69.63 |
| Textile, leather and footwear materials | 8.07 | 9.45 | -14.57% | 72.15 |
| Rubber products | 7.80 | 8.81 | -11.53% | 75.82 |
| Tyre cord fabrics and other fabrics for technical | 5.83 | 4.79 | 21.65% | 53.81 |
| Plastics | 4.70 | 3.16 | 48.83% | 36.76 |
| Rubber | 3.94 | 5.33 | -26.07% | 58.67 |
| Toys and sports requisites; parts and accessories | 3.35 | 3.61 | -7.14% | 33.55 |
| Paper and paper products | 3.26 | 3.69 | -11.61% | 32.53 |
| Pepper | 2.62 | 3.75 | -30.03% | 39.51 |
| Ceramic products | 1.94 | 2.56 | -24.36% | 19.83 |
| Glass and glassware | 1.76 | 1.81 | -2.77% | 13.13 |
| Precious stones, precious metal and articles | 1.43 | 1.14 | 25.14% | 31.68 |
| Bamboo and rattan products | 1.33 | 1.79 | -25.37% | 13.93 |
| Animal fodders and animal fodder materials | 0.77 | 1.60 | -52.11% | 14.15 |
| Fertilizers | 0.51 | 0.29 | 75.41% | 45.77 |
| Manioc and manioc products | 0.18 | 2.08 | -91.22% | 4.92 |
| Ores and other minerals product | 0.13 | 0.14 | -7.84% | 3.72 |
| Coal | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 1.94 |
Vietnam—South Korea balance of trade
Of note, Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of US$2.97 billion with South Korea in September 2025, widening 11 percent from the previous month’s US$2.68 billion gap.
Exports fell 6.8 percent month-on-month to US$2.45 billion, while imports rose 2.2 percent to US$5.42 billion.
For the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s cumulative trade deficit with South Korea reached about US$23.07 billion.
Vietnam—South Korea balance of trade, September 2025 US$millions
| September | August | Change | YTD | |
| Imports from | 5,421.87 | 5,304.94 | 2.20% | 44,445.34 |
| Exports to | 2,449.27 | 2,628.38 | -6.81% | 21,372.92 |
| Total | 7,871.14 | 7,933.32 | -0.78% | 65,818.25 |
| Balance (Vietnam) | -2,972.60 | -2,676.57 | 11.06% | -23,072.42 |