In October, Vietnam imported US$4.9 billion worth of goods from South Korea, down 9.48 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$49,361 million worth of goods from South Korea.
Vietnam’s biggest import from South Korea in value terms was computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof, worth US$3,207.89 million. This was down 10.69 percent over September. It brings the total imported so far this year to US$30,899.66 million.
This was followed by machine, equipment, tools and instruments, valued at US$361.76 million, down 0.93 percent from September. Year-to-date these imports reached US$3,817.54 million.
Plastics were also popular imports from South Korea, totalling US$166.92 million, falling 9.11 percent over September. Cumulative imports now stand at US$1,808.73 million.
Plastic products also featured prominently, accounting for US$119.89 million worth of imports from South Korea, a decline of 9.96 percent versus September. Total imports so far this year are sitting at US$1,242.48 million.
Imports of other base metals from South Korea round out the top five, valued at US$110.33 million.
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Vietnam imports from South Korea in October US$millions
| October | September | MoM | YTD | |
| Total | 4,908.13 | 5,421.87 | -9.48% | 49,361.49 |
| Computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof | 3,207.89 | 3,591.73 | -10.69% | 30,899.66 |
| Machine, equipment, tools and instruments | 361.76 | 365.16 | -0.93% | 3,817.54 |
| Plastics | 166.92 | 183.65 | -9.11% | 1,808.73 |
| Plastic products | 119.89 | 133.15 | -9.96% | 1,242.48 |
| Other base metals | 110.33 | 112.90 | -2.28% | 1,211.68 |
| Petroleum products | 100.75 | 153.92 | -34.54% | 1,554.76 |
| Fabrics | 100.36 | 114.90 | -12.65% | 1,142.43 |
| Iron and steel | 96.57 | 99.76 | -3.19% | 1,039.37 |
| Other products | 82.49 | 76.02 | 8.52% | 817.68 |
| Chemical products | 72.53 | 79.22 | -8.44% | 730.99 |
| Iron and steel products | 57.52 | 60.62 | -5.11% | 605.14 |
| Parts and accessories of motor vehicles | 55.22 | 59.56 | -7.28% | 729.46 |
| Chemicals | 45.57 | 42.87 | 6.30% | 371.36 |
| Textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries | 31.16 | 31.14 | 0.08% | 352.00 |
| Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof | 30.55 | 34.65 | -11.83% | 333.51 |
| Insulated wires and cables | 29.95 | 38.20 | -21.59% | 352.64 |
| Rubber | 27.78 | 23.47 | 18.37% | 263.43 |
| Other petroleum products | 21.46 | 17.74 | 20.99% | 257.22 |
| Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic | 20.62 | 23.37 | -11.75% | 200.31 |
| Other base metal products | 20.10 | 21.20 | -5.16% | 198.06 |
| Paper | 18.54 | 21.11 | -12.18% | 215.89 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 15.64 | 13.70 | 14.16% | 113.80 |
| Motor vehicles | 14.67 | 8.26 | 77.71% | 36.35 |
| Precious stones, precious metal and articles | 12.45 | 12.31 | 1.19% | 106.81 |
| Glass and glassware | 10.45 | 7.90 | 32.32% | 68.84 |
| Fertilizers | 9.64 | 10.48 | -8.00% | 81.60 |
| Insecticides, rodenticides and materials | 8.91 | 3.17 | 180.97% | 72.93 |
| Rubber products | 8.08 | 9.12 | -11.43% | 92.61 |
| Yarn | 5.87 | 7.99 | -26.59% | 87.20 |
| Other means of transportation, parts and accessories thereof | 5.44 | 11.05 | -50.81% | 75.64 |
| Other edible food preparations | 5.00 | 6.62 | -24.49% | 62.42 |
| Animal fodders and animal fodder materials | 4.65 | 4.92 | -5.62% | 50.12 |
| Pastries, sweets and cereal products | 4.62 | 5.65 | -18.32% | 45.74 |
| Electric consumer products and parts thereof | 4.57 | 6.09 | -24.99% | 53.88 |
| Fishery products | 3.97 | 6.38 | -37.84% | 69.28 |
| Paper products | 3.76 | 4.09 | -8.13% | 44.85 |
| Fruits and vegetables | 3.47 | 4.13 | -15.85% | 41.52 |
| Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) | 2.08 | 2.72 | -23.49% | 29.00 |
| Milk and milk products | 1.80 | 2.32 | -22.61% | 20.29 |
| Still image, video cameras and parts thereof | 1.76 | 4.42 | -60.05% | 27.22 |
| Ores and other minerals product | 1.30 | 2.84 | -53.99% | 16.50 |
| Wood and wooden products | 0.97 | 1.19 | -18.12% | 8.05 |
| Animal, vegetable fats and oils | 0.86 | 0.74 | 16.07% | 6.28 |
| Cotton | 0.16 | 0.27 | -40.61% | 2.15 |
| Pharmaceutical materials | 0.04 | 1.22 | -97.02% | 4.08 |
Vietnam trade with South Korea
In October, Vietnam imported goods worth US$4,908.13 million from South Korea and exported US$2,466.64 million, bringing total trade to US$7,374.77 million, with a trade deficit of US$2,441.50 million.
Two-way trade so far this year between Vietnam and South Korea has reached US$73,199.89 million, with Vietnam importing US$49,361.49 million worth of goods and exporting US$23,838.40 million.
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Vietnam trade with South Korea year to date US$millions
| October | September | MoM | YTD | |
| Imports | 4,908.13 | 5,421.87 | -9.48% | 49,361.49 |
| Exports | 2,466.64 | 2,449.27 | 0.71% | 23,838.40 |
| Total | 7,374.77 | 7,871.14 | -6.31% | 73,199.89 |
| Balance | -2,441.50 | -2,972.60 | -17.87% | -25,523.10 |
Vietnam-South Korea trade relations
Vietnam and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992, marking the start of a rapid expansion in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The two countries signed the Vietnam–Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) in 2015, complementing their participation in broader frameworks such as ASEAN–Korea FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
These agreements have reduced tariffs on thousands of goods and encouraged South Korean firms to invest in manufacturing, electronics, and infrastructure projects across Vietnam.
South Korea is now one of Vietnam’s top trading partners and investors, led by major conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, which have established large production bases in the country.