AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam's chemical exports to Laos grew dramatically in the first half of 2025, reaching more than 309 million USD - the highest among all products and far exceeding the 3.8 million USD in the same period last year.

This is the first time this group of products has risen to the top of export turnover, becoming a bright spot in trade relations between the two countries.
Chemical exports to Laos increased 81 times, leading the rankings
Vietnam - Laos trade in the first half of 2025 recorded a bright spot, which is the spectacular breakthrough of the chemical product group, rising to the top of Vietnam's export turnover to this close neighboring market.
According to data from the Customs Department, in the first 6 months of 2025, the total import-export turnover between the two countries reached an impressive figure of 1.78 billion USD, marking a strong growth of 92.1% over the same period last year. In that overall picture, Vietnam's exports to Laos grew by 132%, reaching 671 million USD.
The most notable highlight is chemical products. This item brought in 309.4 million USD for Vietnam, becoming the group of export products with the largest value. This is especially impressive when compared to the modest figure of only 3.8 million USD that this item achieved in the same period of 2024. Chemical products are also the only export item to reach over 100 million USD to Laos during this period, affirming its outstanding leading position.
Besides chemicals, many other Vietnamese commodity groups also witnessed strong growth, contributing to the vibrant export picture. Machinery, equipment, tools and other spare parts increased by 170% to reach 59.3 million USD, while iron and steel products and iron and steel also grew by 74% and 95% respectively. Notably, other base metals and products had a leap of 431%, reaching 10 million USD. Only petroleum was the only item in the Top 10 that recorded a significant decrease in turnover, down by 73%.
On the import side, Vietnam also increased imports from Laos to 1.11 billion USD, up by 73.9%. Rubber and coal continued to be the main import items, accounting for about 20% of the total import value from Laos.
These figures showed a positive trend and great potential in trade relations between Vietnam and Laos, with the rise of industrial product groups such as chemicals, promising to open up more opportunities for cooperation and development in the future.
CK
Source: VITIC/haiquanonline.com.vn