Trade: Vietnam’s imports from China climb 2.19 percent in April

In April, Vietnam imported goods worth US$15.06 billion from China, representing a 2.19 percent increase compared to March. This brought the year-to-date total to US$53.16 billion, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General department of Customs.

Key data points include:

• The largest import category was computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components, which totalled US$4.02 billion in April. This represented 27.05 percent of Vietnam’s total imports from China and marked a modest month-on-month increase of 0.32 percent.
• Machinery, equipment, tools, and instruments followed as the second-largest category, with a value of US$3.23 billion, up 4.97 percent from March. This category accounted for 20.71 percent of the overall import total.
• Fabrics recorded a sharp increase, rising 12.10 percent month-on-month to reach US$1.02 billion, making up 6.23 percent of total imports.
• Imports of telephones, mobile phones, and parts thereof were relatively unchanged, totalling US$782.7 million, with a negligible growth of 0.01 percent.
• Vietnam imported US$537.7 million worth of plastic products, a slight increase of 1.45 percent compared to March.
• Iron and steel imports rose to US$466.3 million, up 0.81 percent, while iron and steel products grew more strongly by 4.72 percent, reaching US$468.7 million.
• Chemical imports reached US$314.5 million, reflecting a 3.10 percent increase month-on-month.
• Some categories experienced strong month-on-month gains. For example, imports of still image and video cameras surged by 15.96 percent, while yarn imports rose 11.17 percent. Other base metal products also saw solid growth, increasing by 10.39 percent.
• On the other hand, several product groups experienced declines. Imports of motor vehicle parts and accessories dropped sharply by 11.38 percent. Electric consumer products and parts thereof decreased by 7.22 percent. Fruits and vegetables fell substantially, down 17.70 percent compared to March. Other base metals declined by 3.34 percent over the same period.

Vietnam’s imports from China: April 2025, US$ millions