In January, Vietnam imported US$2,338.25 million worth of goods from Japan, up from US$2,252.17 million in December, a change of 3.82 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$2,338 million worth of goods from Japan.
Vietnam imported US$1,106.55 million worth of computers, electrical products, spare parts and components thereof from Japan in January. This was up from US$679.78 million in December, a change of 62.78 percent.
Vietnam imported US$354.64 million worth of machines, equipment, tools and instruments from Japan in January. This was down from US$458.38 million in December, a change of -22.63 percent.
Vietnam imported US$100.35 million worth of iron and steel from Japan in January. This was down from US$124.37 million in December, a change of -19.32 percent.
Vietnam imported US$73.76 million worth of plastic products from Japan in January. This was down from US$89.06 million in December, a change of -17.18 percent.
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Vietnam trade with Japan
In January, Vietnam imported goods worth US$2,338.25 million from Japan and exported US$2,530.17 million, bringing total trade to US$4,868.41 million and resulting in a trade surplus of US$191.92 million.
Two-way trade so far this year between Vietnam and Japan has reached US$4,868.41 million, with Vietnam importing US$2,338.25 million worth of goods and exporting US$2,530.17 million.
Discover more about trade in Vietnam→
Vietnam-Japan news
Recent developments in trade and investment between the two countries include:
Mitsubishi real estate acquisition HCMC
Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation has agreed to acquire the Thuan An 1 high-rise project from Phat Dat Real Estate Development for more than VND 1.9 trillion (US$72.1 million).
The 1.8-hectare project in Ho Chi Minh City includes 39 floors, three basement levels and about 2,700 apartments and shophouses, with land use rights granted in May 2025.
Japan firms competition China
A 2025 survey by Japan External Trade Organization showed 30.8 percent of Japanese industrial firms in Vietnam identify Chinese companies as their main competitors, up from 24.6 percent in 2024.
The survey questioned 906 Japanese companies in Vietnam and found rising competition for labour, with 48.2 percent saying recruitment has become more difficult.
See the latest Vietnam news headlines→
Vietnam-Japan trade relations
Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1973, with economic ties expanding strongly from the 1990s as Japan became a major provider of official development assistance and foreign direct investment.
Bilateral trade has grown steadily under frameworks such as the Japan–Vietnam Economic Partnership Agreement and broader regional arrangements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The Japan–Vietnam Economic Partnership Agreement, which took effect in 2009, reduced tariffs on a wide range of goods and facilitated investment, services and labour mobility.
Japan is among Vietnam’s largest trading partners and investors, with cooperation spanning manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and high-technology supply chains.
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The data
Vietnam imports from Japan in January US$m
| January | December | MoM | YTD | |
| Total | 2,338.25 | 2,252.17 | 3.82% | 2,338.25 |
| Computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof | 1,106.55 | 679.78 | 62.78% | 1,106.55 |
| Machine, equipment, tools and instruments | 354.64 | 458.38 | -22.63% | 354.64 |
| Other products | 110.42 | 131.07 | -15.76% | 110.42 |
| Iron and steel | 100.35 | 124.37 | -19.32% | 100.35 |
| Plastic products | 73.76 | 89.06 | -17.18% | 73.76 |
| Parts and accessories of motor vehicles | 71.36 | 75.03 | -4.89% | 71.36 |
| Ferrous waste and scrap | 69.26 | 110.58 | -37.37% | 69.26 |
| Fabrics | 53.72 | 65.69 | -18.22% | 53.72 |
| Other base metals | 50.19 | 51.60 | -2.73% | 50.19 |
| Chemical products | 46.45 | 61.86 | -24.91% | 46.45 |
| Chemicals | 43.44 | 52.99 | -18.01% | 43.44 |
| Plastics | 42.69 | 50.91 | -16.15% | 42.69 |
| Iron and steel products | 36.32 | 40.35 | -10.01% | 36.32 |
| Fishery products | 24.48 | 33.56 | -27.06% | 24.48 |
| textile and footwear materials | 19.62 | 26.37 | -25.57% | 19.62 |
| Paper | 17.86 | 21.91 | -18.45% | 17.86 |
| Insulated wires and cables | 14.72 | 18.35 | -19.77% | 14.72 |
| Motor vehicles | 13.62 | 27.32 | -50.16% | 13.62 |
| Rubber | 13.36 | 16.34 | -18.24% | 13.36 |
| Other base metal products | 9.96 | 18.86 | -47.18% | 9.96 |
| Rubber products | 9.76 | 13.05 | -25.22% | 9.76 |
| Glass and glassware | 7.42 | 7.59 | -2.19% | 7.42 |
| Precious stones, precious metal and articles | 6.30 | 7.19 | -12.40% | 6.30 |
| Still image, video cameras and parts thereof | 5.92 | 8.66 | -31.69% | 5.92 |
| Paper products | 4.96 | 4.45 | 11.46% | 4.96 |
| Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations | 4.50 | 9.16 | -50.86% | 4.50 |
| Yarn | 4.46 | 6.95 | -35.79% | 4.46 |
| Other edible food preparations | 4.31 | 6.01 | -28.22% | 4.31 |
| Electric consumer products and parts thereof | 3.07 | 2.44 | 25.93% | 3.07 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 2.80 | 7.53 | -62.80% | 2.80 |
| Fertilizers | 2.32 | 5.26 | -55.92% | 2.32 |
| other means of transportation, parts and accessories thereof | 2.26 | 5.02 | -55.00% | 2.26 |
| Other petroleum products | 2.16 | 3.36 | -35.79% | 2.16 |
| Milk and milk products | 1.83 | 3.97 | -54.04% | 1.83 |
| Insecticides, rodenticides and materials | 1.60 | 4.03 | -60.27% | 1.60 |
| Animal fodders and animal fodder materials | 0.85 | 0.32 | 163.78% | 0.85 |
| Wood and wooden products | 0.50 | 0.79 | -36.90% | 0.50 |
| Ores and other minerals product | 0.25 | 1.77 | -85.96% | 0.25 |
| Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof | 0.22 | 0.24 | -10.29% | 0.22 |
| Coal | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.00 |
| Petroleum products | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.00 |
| Tobacco materials | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.00 |
Vietnam trade with Japan year to date US$m
| January | December | MoM | YTD | |
| Imports | 2,338.25 | 2,252.17 | 3.82% | 2,338.25 |
| Exports | 2,530.17 | 2,345.55 | 7.87% | 2,530.17 |
| Total | 4,868.41 | 4,597.72 | 5.89% | 4,868.41 |
| Balance | 191.92 | 93.38 | 105.53% | 191.92 |