AsemconnectVietnam - In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s total merchandise import-export turnover reached US$888.02 billion, a 30.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

According to data released by the General Statistics Office, the country's total merchandise import-export turnover in September of 2026 reached US$117.69 billion, up by 7.3% from the previous month and 42.4% year-on-year. Notably, the merchandise trade balance shifted back to a surplus of US$1.27 billion in September, following several consecutive months of deficits.
For the nine-month period, total merchandise import-export turnover stood at US$888.02 billion, up by 30.4% year-on-year; exports rose by 24.5% and imports by 36.7%. The merchandise trade balance for the nine months recorded a deficit of US$19.42 billion.
Merchandise exports exceed US$434 billion in nine-month period
Merchandise export turnover in September of 2026 reached US$59.48 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared to the previous month. Of this, the domestic economic sector accounted for US$9.54 billion (down by 9.1%), while the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) reached US$49.94 billion (up by 12.7%). Compared to the same period last year, the export turnover of goods in September rose by 39.1%; specifically, the domestic economic sector increased by 9.9%, while the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) grew by 46.5%.
In the third quarter of 2026, export turnover reached US$167.85 billion, up by 30.4% year-on-year and 17.0% compared to the second quarter of 2026.
For the first nine months of 2026, total export turnover reached US$434.30 billion, a 24.5% increase over the same period last year. Of this, the domestic economic sector contributed US$83.89 billion (up by 7.5%), accounting for 19.3% of the total, while the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) reached US$350.41 billion (up by 29.4%), accounting for 80.7%.
During the nine-month period, 35 commodities recorded export turnover exceeding US$1 billion, representing 94.3% of the total export value (with seven items exceeding US$10 billion and accounting for 70.7% of the total: electronics, computers, and components; machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts; telephones and components; textiles and garments; footwear; means of transport and spare parts; and wood and wood products).
Regarding the structure of export commodity groups for the first nine months of 2026, processed industrial goods reached US$392.79 billion (accounting for 90.4%), while agricultural and forestry products reached US$30 billion (accounting for 6.9%). Seafood products reached US$9.10 billion, accounting for 2.1%; fuels and minerals reached US$2.41 billion, accounting for 0.6%.
Production materials accounted for 94.1% of the total import turnover for the nine-month period.
Goods import turnover in September of 2026 reached US$58.21 billion, up by 6% from the previous month. Specifically, the domestic economic sector reached US$13.14 billion (up by 2.5%), while the foreign-invested sector reached US$45.07 billion (up by 7.1%). Compared to the same period last year, September's import turnover rose by 45.8%, with the domestic sector increasing by 22.1% and the foreign-invested sector by 54.6%.
In the third quarter of 2026, import turnover reached US$170.33 billion, an increase of 42.2% year-on-year and 8.8% compared to the second quarter of 2026.
For the first nine months of 2026, total goods import turnover reached US$453.72 billion, up by 36.7% year-on-year; the domestic economic sector accounted for US$118.17 billion (up by 23.5%), and the foreign-invested sector accounted for US$335.55 billion (up by 42%).
During this nine-month period, 45 imported commodities exceeded US$1 billion in value, accounting for 94.5% of total import turnover (including six commodities exceeding US$10 billion, which accounted for 63.1%). Regarding the structure of imports in the first nine months of 2026, the group of production materials reached US$426.92 billion, accounting for 94.1% of the total; within this category, machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts made up 58.3%, while raw materials, fuels, and supplies accounted for 35.8%. The imports of consumer goods reached US$26.80 billion, representing 5.9%.
Regarding export and import markets during the first nine months of 2026, the United States was Vietnam's largest export market, with a turnover of US$140 billion. China was the largest import market, with a turnover of US$187.34 billion.
During this nine-month period, the trade surplus with the United States reached US$122.62 billion, up by 23.8% year-on-year; the surplus with the EU was US$36.06 billion (up by 25.3%); and the surplus with Japan was US$2.65 billion (up by 85.9%). Conversely, the trade deficit with China stood at US$121.48 billion (up by 43%); the deficit with South Korea was US$43.75 billion (up by 90.4%); and the deficit with ASEAN was US$15.49 billion (up by 48.1%).
Preliminary data indicated a trade surplus of US$1.27 billion for September. Overall, for the first nine months of 2026, the trade balance recorded a deficit of US$19.42 billion (compared to a surplus of US$16.87 billion in the same period last year). Of this, the domestic economic sector recorded a deficit of US$34.28 billion. The foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) recorded a trade surplus of US$14.86 billion.
According to the General Statistics Office, given its high level of economic openness, Vietnam's economy is forecast to remain significantly impacted by external factors during the final months of the year. Consequently, achieving double-digit growth poses a formidable challenge; therefore, all sectors, administrative levels, and localities must continuously monitor and forecast the situation, proactively manage operations with flexibility to suit new circumstances, and respond promptly to emerging issues. Regarding import-export activities, efforts must focus on supporting and enhancing the export capacity of the domestic economic sector, promoting sustainable exports, increasing value-added content, and diversifying markets, products, and supply chains. It is essential to effectively leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand export markets and improve the ability to meet international standards. Priorities also include developing logistics services, reducing transportation costs, supporting the consumption of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products, and controlling imports of goods that can be produced domestically.
Speaking at the conference reviewing third-quarter performance and outlining tasks for October and the fourth quarter of 2026 for the Industry and Trade sector, Minister Le Manh Hung emphasized the need to formulate a set of operational solutions for the fourth quarter based on available growth potential and drivers. Alongside traditional growth drivers that are reaching their limits, the sector must identify and harness new drivers to create additional room for achieving set targets.
Specifically regarding imports, exports, and foreign market development, the goal for the final months of the year is to reduce the trade deficit to below 10 billion USD. The Minister directed that signed FTAs be utilized effectively. Concurrently, foreign market management must align with long-term strategies to expand opportunities in markets that still hold significant potential. At the same time, focus on trade remedy measures by strengthening early warning systems, sharing information, and coordinating with local authorities to address issues related to trade investigations; simultaneously, work closely with associations, businesses, and Vietnamese representative missions abroad to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and the national economy.
Source: VITIC/tapchicongthuong.vn