AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam's import and export activities in January 2026 increased significantly compared to the same period in 2026.

Vietnam's import value in January 2026 increased sharply compared to the same period last year and exceeded the export growth rate, causing the trade balance to reverse. Vietnam had a trade deficit of US$1.78 billion in January of 2026.
According to statistics from the Customs Department, in January of 2026, the total import and export turnover of the whole country reached US$88.16 billion, an increase of 39% compared to the same period in 2025. Of which, exports reached US$43.2 billion, an increase of 29.7% compared to the same period last year, while imports reached US$44.97 billion, a very strong increase of 49.2% compared to the same period in 2025.
Vietnam's goods exports in January of 2026
According to the statistics figures from the Customs Department, in January of 2026, the country's goods exports reached US$43.19 billion, an increase of 29.7% compared to the same period last year.
Nine export product groups reached a turnover of US$1 billion or more in January of 2026 were computers, electronic products and components (US$9.6 billion); telephones of all types and components (US$5.7 billion); machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts (US$5.4 billion); textiles (US$3.2 billion); footwear (US$2 billion); transport vehicles and parts (US$1.6 billion); wood and wood products (US$1.6 billion); coffee and seafood each reached US$1 billion.
Growth drivers, structure, and export markets in January of 2026
In January of 2026, the export growth driver continued to come from the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector, with export turnover (including crude oil) in January of 2026 reaching US$33.68 billion, accounting for 78% of total export turnover and increasing by 42.2% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the domestic economic sector only achieved $9.51 billion, down by 2% from the previous month and down by 1.3% year-on-year, reflecting the uneven recovery across economic sectors.
The export structure continues to heavily favor the processed and manufactured industrial goods group. In January of 2026, the export value of this group reached $38.43 billion, accounting for 89% of total export value. Many key items maintained high growth rates compared to the same period last year, including electronics, computers and components reaching $9.56 billion, up by 57.6%; machinery, equipment, tools and other parts reaching $5.43 billion, up by 40.2%; and telephones and components reaching $5.66 billion, up by 17.3%.
In addition, some traditional industries also recorded positive results. Textile and garment exports reached US$3.25 billion, up by 1.8%; footwear exports reached US$2.05 billion, up by 7.8%; and wood and wood products exports reached US$1.61 billion, up by 12.5%. Notably, coffee exports reached US$1.08 billion, up by 39.5%, while seafood exports reached US$1.01 billion, up by 30.7%, indicating a clear improvement in international market demand.
Regarding markets, the United States continued to be Vietnam's largest export market in January of 2026 with a turnover of US$13.9 billion. The trade surplus with the United States reached US$12 billion, up by 28.6% compared to the same period last year, further affirming the pivotal role of this market in Vietnam's export growth.
Vietnam's imports of goods in January of 2026
Vietnam's goods import value in January of 2026 reached US$44.97 billion, an increase of 0.6% compared to the previous month and a very strong increase of 49.2% compared to the same period last year.
The imports by the FDI sector continued to account for a large proportion, reaching US$32.06 billion, an increase of 6.5% compared to the previous month and a significant increase of 66.8% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the imports by the domestic economic sector reached US$12.91 billion, a decrease of 11.4% compared to the previous month but still an increase of 18.2% compared to the same period, reflecting the continued high demand for imported raw materials and machinery for production.
By product groups, the imports mainly focused on production materials. In January of 2026, the imports of this group of item reached US$42.3 billion, accounting for 94% of the total import value. Of the total, machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts accounted for 56.1%; raw materials, fuels, and supplies accounted for 37.9%. Imports of consumer goods only reached US$2.67 billion, accounting for 6%, indicating that the import structure still primarily serves production and business activities.
Many imported items recorded very high increases compared to the same period last year; such as electronics, computers, and components reached US$16.63 billion, an increase of 70.7%; other machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts reached US$5.88 billion, an increase of 47.2%; and automobiles reached US$1.06 billion, an increase of 98%. The imports of raw materials such as iron and steel, base metals, plastics, and plastic products all increased sharply, reflecting the growing demand for inputs in industrial production.
Regarding markets, China continued to be Vietnam's largest import market in January of 2026 with a trade value of US$19 billion. The trade deficit with China reached US$12.7 billion, an increase of 52.1% compared to the same period last year. The trade deficit with South Korea was US$3.4 billion, an increase of 74.9%; and with ASEAN US$1.3 billion, an increase of 92.2%.
Thus, in January of 2026, Vietnam had a trade deficit of US$1.78 billion, while in the same period last year the country had a trade surplus of US$3.17 billion. The domestic economic sector had a trade deficit of US$3.4 billion, while the FDI sector had a trade surplus of US$1.62 billion.
CK
Source: VITIC/ thuehaiquan.tapchikinhtetaichinh