AsemconnectVietnam - Amidst the positive economic recovery of ASEAN and the world, Vietnam-Malaysia trade relations continued to record positive results in the first five months of 2026.

Bilateral trade increased by nearly 40%
According to the data from the Vietnam Customs Department, the total two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Malaysia in the first five months of 2026 reached US$8.79 billion, an increase of 39.4% compared to the same period of 2025. Of this, Vietnam's exports to Malaysia reached US$2.71 billion, an increase of 25.8%; imports from Malaysia reached US$6.08 billion, an increase of 46.4%.
A highlight in Vietnam's exports to Malaysia was the continued dominance of processed and manufactured industrial goods, which recorded high growth rates. Leading the way were computers, electronic products, and components, with a turnover of US$532.7 million, a 45.2% increase and accounting for nearly 20% of total exports to Malaysia. This was followed by machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts, reaching nearly US$271 million, a 52.1% increase. Telephones and components reached over US$230 million, a 29.9% increase, while iron and steel of all kinds reached nearly US$210 million, a 16% increase.
Notably, several product categories showed very high growth rates, indicating the potential for expanding market share for Vietnamese businesses in Malaysia. Typical examples include chemical products (up by 89%), seafood (up by 27.3%), textiles (up by 17%), animal feed and raw materials (up by 12.1%), and rubber (up by 23%). These are positive signs indicating that Vietnamese goods are increasingly meeting the needs of the Malaysian market, especially in the supporting industries, food, and consumer goods sectors.
However, some traditional items have recorded a downward trend, such as coffee (down by 18.7%), rice (down by 4.1%), and transportation equipment and parts (down by 3.2%). This reflects increasingly fierce competition in the Malaysian market as well as changes in consumer demand and import structure in the host country.
Conversely, the imports from Malaysia continued to grow very strongly, mainly focusing on raw materials and production materials serving domestic industrial activities. Computers, electronic products, and components continued to be the largest import items with a value of nearly US$2 billion, an increase of 40.3% and accounting for 32.7% of total imports from Malaysia.
In particular, the imports of petroleum products from Malaysia surged, reaching over US$1.06 billion, a 213.2% increase compared to the same period last year and accounting for 17.5% of total import value. This is a consequence of increased domestic energy demand as well as fluctuations in the global energy market in recent times. In addition, imports of machinery, equipment, and spare parts also reached nearly US$638 million, an 86.3% increase, reflecting the trend of expanding production investment and the need for technological innovation by Vietnamese businesses.
Positive prospects for trade cooperation
The current trade structure shows a highly complementary relationship between the two countries. Vietnam exports processed products, electronics, food, and consumer goods to Malaysia, while importing mainly raw materials, fuels, and components for production.
The prospects for trade cooperation between the two countries in the coming period are assessed positively. The Malaysian economy continues to maintain stable growth, with total trade reaching a record high of 1,455 trillion Ringgit in the first five months of the year, an 18.3% increase year-on-year. Improved incomes and the strong development of modern retail systems such as AEON, Lotus's, Mydin, Econsave, and Jaya Grocer are creating more opportunities for Vietnamese goods to expand their presence in the local market.
In particular, Vietnamese products with competitive advantages such as processed foods, seafood, tropical fruits, coffee, cashews, Halal products, and fast-moving consumer goods continue to be positively received by Malaysian consumers. The Vietnam Goods Week program held at AEON Malaysia in June 2026 contributed to enhancing brand recognition for Vietnamese goods and provided opportunities for businesses to directly reach local consumers.
However, Vietnamese businesses also need to be aware of the challenges currently present in this market. Competition from goods from China, Thailand, and Indonesia is becoming increasingly fierce. Halal certification requirements for food and beverages continue to be a significant technical barrier.
In addition, geopolitical instability in the Middle East, rising oil prices, and the risk of global supply chain disruptions could impact logistics costs and consumer demand in Malaysia in the second half of 2026.
Furthermore, geopolitical fluctuations in the Middle East, rising oil prices, and the risk of global supply chain disruptions could impact logistics costs and consumer demand in Malaysia in the second half of 2026.
Overall, the bilateral trade results in the first five months of 2026 showed that Vietnam-Malaysia economic relations are developing strongly and continue to be one of the important pillars of ASEAN cooperation. However, to more effectively utilize the potential of the Malaysian market, Vietnamese businesses need to accelerate product transformation to meet market demands, comply with Halal standards, build a stable distribution network, and increase participation in direct trade promotion activities. These will be key factors in increasing export value, gradually narrowing the trade deficit, and bringing Vietnam-Malaysia economic relations to a more balanced and sustainable level in the future.
CK
Source: VITIC/congthuong.vn