In December, Vietnam imported US$6,084.20 million worth of goods from South Korea, up from US$5,034.07 million in November, a change of 20.86 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$60,545 million worth of goods from South Korea.
Vietnam imported US$3,855.69 million worth of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof from South Korea in December. This was up from US$3,128.28 million in November, a change of 23.25 percent.
Vietnam imported US$549.12 million worth of machine, equipment, tools and instruments from South Korea in December. This was up from US$401.36 million in November, a change of 36.81 percent.
Vietnam imported US$184.90 million worth of plastics from South Korea in December. This was up from US$165.71 million in November, a change of 11.58 percent.
Vietnam imported US$146.84 million worth of plastic products from South Korea in December. This was up from US$133.71 million in November, a change of 9.82 percent.
Vietnam imported US$136.52 million worth of iron and steel from South Korea in December. This was up from US$133.20 million in November, a change of 2.50 percent.
Learn more about manufacturing in Vietnam→
Vietnam imports from South Korea in December US$m
| December | November | MoM | YTD | |
| Total | 6,084.20 | 5,034.07 | 20.86% | 60,544.57 |
| Computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof | 3,855.69 | 3,128.28 | 23.25% | 37,910.71 |
| Machine, equipment, tools and instruments | 549.12 | 401.36 | 36.81% | 4,771.08 |
| Plastics | 184.90 | 165.71 | 11.58% | 2,164.29 |
| Plastic products | 146.84 | 133.71 | 9.82% | 1,525.20 |
| Iron and steel | 136.52 | 133.20 | 2.50% | 1,312.95 |
| Fabrics | 136.08 | 120.72 | 12.72% | 1,401.10 |
| Petroleum products | 136.02 | 130.50 | 4.23% | 1,829.29 |
| Other base metals | 125.26 | 128.18 | -2.27% | 1,468.38 |
| Other products | 91.86 | 76.37 | 20.28% | 987.77 |
| Chemical products | 87.63 | 77.67 | 12.83% | 898.02 |
| Parts and accessories of motor vehicles | 79.47 | 79.83 | -0.46% | 889.49 |
| Iron and steel products | 74.48 | 64.00 | 16.38% | 744.19 |
| Other petroleum products | 55.95 | 23.26 | 140.60% | 336.50 |
| Chemicals | 48.49 | 44.97 | 7.81% | 465.31 |
| Textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries | 41.26 | 37.33 | 10.53% | 431.15 |
| Insulated wires and cables | 39.03 | 38.45 | 1.51% | 430.81 |
| Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations | 33.20 | 22.18 | 49.68% | 256.34 |
| Rubber | 29.79 | 25.15 | 18.43% | 319.07 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 28.25 | 15.37 | 83.77% | 157.22 |
| Paper | 25.68 | 20.77 | 23.59% | 262.95 |
| Other base metal products | 25.26 | 24.85 | 1.66% | 248.34 |
| Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof | 21.64 | 26.03 | -16.87% | 381.20 |
| Precious stones, precious metal and articles | 12.34 | 10.77 | 14.62% | 130.06 |
| Other means of transportation, parts and accessories thereof | 11.52 | 7.06 | 63.11% | 94.22 |
| Rubber products | 10.66 | 9.49 | 12.29% | 111.12 |
| Glass and glassware | 9.31 | 7.58 | 22.91% | 85.82 |
| Electric consumer products and parts thereof | 8.27 | 7.40 | 11.75% | 70.14 |
| Ores and other minerals product | 8.15 | 2.26 | 259.82% | 26.95 |
| Fishery products | 7.86 | 4.92 | 59.80% | 82.09 |
| Yarn | 7.84 | 6.95 | 12.82% | 102.08 |
| Other edible food preparations | 7.63 | 6.04 | 26.35% | 76.21 |
| Fertilizers | 7.39 | 2.69 | 174.19% | 91.74 |
| Pastries, sweets and cereal products | 6.65 | 5.25 | 26.67% | 57.97 |
| Fruits and vegetables | 6.51 | 4.98 | 30.80% | 53.02 |
| Animal fodders and animal fodder materials | 5.73 | 4.40 | 30.24% | 60.29 |
| Paper products | 5.69 | 4.83 | 17.65% | 55.43 |
| Motor vehicles | 4.80 | 18.85 | -74.55% | 61.00 |
| Still image, video cameras and parts thereof | 3.53 | 2.69 | 31.20% | 33.46 |
| Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) | 2.63 | 2.50 | 5.25% | 34.42 |
| Milk and milk products | 1.98 | 1.97 | 0.58% | 24.32 |
| Wood and wooden products | 1.09 | 1.21 | -10.20% | 10.92 |
| Insecticides, rodenticides and materials | 0.91 | 3.13 | -71.01% | 76.97 |
| Cotton | 0.56 | 0.16 | 237.39% | 2.87 |
| Animal, vegetable fats and oils | 0.55 | 0.61 | -9.81% | 7.44 |
| Pharmaceutical materials | 0.19 | 0.42 | -55.03% | 4.69 |
Vietnam exports to South Korea
In December, Vietnam exported US$2,707 million worth of goods to South Korea, up 19.66 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$28,943 million worth of goods to South Korea.
Vietnam trade with South Korea
In December, Vietnam imported US$6,084.20 million worth of goods from South Korea and exported US$2,706.66 million to South Korea, for total trade worth US$8,790.86 million, and leaving a trade deficit of US$3,377.54 million.
Two-way trade so far this year between Vietnam and South Korea has reached US$89,488 million, with Vietnam importing US$60,545 million worth of goods and exporting US$28,943 million worth of goods.
Discover more about trade in Vietnam→
Vietnam trade with South Korea year to date December US$m
| December | November | Change | YTD | |
| Imports | 6,084.20 | 5,034.07 | 20.86% | 60,544.57 |
| Exports | 2,706.66 | 2,261.90 | 19.66% | 28,943.28 |
| Total | 8,790.86 | 7,295.97 | 20.49% | 89,487.86 |
| Balance | -3,377.54 | -2,772.17 | 21.84% | -31,601.29 |
Vietnam-South Korea news
Recent developments involving the two countries include:
Korea nuclear power Vietnam
A South Korean nuclear consortium, known as Team Korea, could benefit after Vietnam ended its nuclear power cooperation with Japan on the Ninh Thuan Unit 2 project, it has been reported.
Analysts and industry sources see Vietnam as a key export opportunity for South Korea’s nuclear sector following constraints in Europe.
Hyosung carpet plant Danang
A South Korean conglomerate, HS Hyosung, has signed a memorandum of understanding to invest about US$100 million in a carpet manufacturing plant in Danang.
The project will cover about 10.9 hectares in the expanded Tam Thang Industrial Park and produce commercial and automotive carpets.
SK telco R&D Vietnam
South Korean telecommunications firm KT is pursuing plans to establish a group-level research and development centre in Vietnam by 2027, according to information and communications technology industry sources.
KT has operated a task force since the first half of 2025 to build a global development centre, with implementation led jointly by KT Cloud and KT DS.
See the latest Vietnam news headlines→
Vietnam-South Korea trade relations
Vietnam and South Korea established diplomatic relations in the 90s, with ties deepening rapidly through trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
Bilateral trade is underpinned by the Vietnam–Korea Free Trade Agreement and regional frameworks, supporting South Korea’s role as a leading investor, technology partner and export market for Vietnam.