AsemconnectVietnam - In June of 2026, Vietnam's iron and steel imports reached 1.43 million tonnes, worth of US$1.04 billion, an increase of 10.63% in volume and 9.3% in value compared to May of 2026; and an increase of 23.26% in volume and 25.37% in value compared to June of 2025.

Overall, in the first six months of 2026, Vietnam's iron and steel imports reached 7.77 million tonnes, valued at US$5.61 billion, an increase of 2.84% in volume and 4.56% in value compared to the same period of 2025. The average import price of iron and steel in Vietnam during the first six months of 2026 reached US$722/tonne, an increase of 1.68% compared to the same period of 2025.
China continued to be Vietnam's largest iron and steel import market in the first six months of 2026. However, the proportion of Vietnam's iron and steel imports from China narrowed from 58.34% in the first six months of 2025 to 49.12% in the first six months of 2026.
Vietnam's iron and steel imports from China in the first six months of 2026 reached US$2.57 billion, a decrease of 13.4% in volume and 7.93% in value compared to the same period of 2025. The average import price of iron and steel from China in the first six months of 2026 reached US$674/ton, an increase of 6.32% compared to the same period of 2025.
Vietnam's iron and steel imports from Japan in the first six months of 2026 reached 961,460 tonnes, valued at US$658.33 million, a decrease of 20.31% in volume and 14.94% in value compared to the same period of 2025. The average import price of iron and steel from Japan in the first six months of 2026 reached US$685/tonne, an increase of 6.74% compared to the same period of 2025.
Vietnam's iron and steel imports from the ASEAN region in the first six months of 2026 reached 863,890 tonnes, valued at US$995.83 million, representing an 18.16% increase in volume and a 19.47% increase in value compared to the same period of 2025.
Notably, the average import price of iron and steel from ASEAN in the first six months of 2026 reached US$1,153/tonne, 59.66% higher than the national average (US$722/tonne).
Within the ASEAN region, Indonesia continued to be the largest supplier of steel to Vietnam in the first six months of 2026, with 759,540 tonnes, valued at US$905.88 million, a 13.24% increase in volume and a 16.52% increase in value compared to the same period of 2025, accounting for 87.92% of Vietnam's total steel imports from ASEAN.
Steel supplies from Indonesia mainly consist of stainless steel, alloy steel, and hot-rolled steel, serving the mechanical engineering and supporting industries.
In addition, Vietnam's steel imports from Malaysia in the first six months of 2026 reached 74,250 tonnes, valued at US$45.37 million, an increase of 88.44% in volume and 73.12% in value compared to the same period of 2025. Meanwhile, Vietnam's steel imports from Thailand in the first six months of 2026 reached 28,300 tonnes, valued at US$38.34 million, an increase of 40.5% in volume and 71.18% in value due to a significant increase in import prices (up by 21.83%) compared to the same period of 2025. Conversely, Vietnam's steel imports from the Philippines and Singapore in the first six months of 2026 still accounted for a very small proportion of the total steel imports from the region.
ASEAN is becoming an important supplementary source of supply, contributing to gradually reducing dependence on the Chinese market.
Vietnam's iron and steel imports from the EU market in the first six months of 2026 reached 35,100 tonnes, worth of US$50.63 million, an increase of 198.66% in volume and 35.51% in value compared to the same period of 2025. However, the scale was still small, so it has not had a significant impact on the overall market. Some markets such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, and Finland have seen a surge due to specific orders, mainly for special alloy steels, high-tech steels, and steels serving the precision engineering, energy, and high-tech manufacturing industries.
Some markets such as Australia, the United States, South Africa, Brazil, and Canada have seen significant fluctuations compared to the same period of 2025, but their scale was still small and supplementary, not yet forming a stable role in Vietnam's steel import structure.
CK
Source: VITIC