In August 2026, total merchandise export and import turnover reached USD 109.7 billion. Cumulatively for the first eight months of this year, total merchandise export and import turnover reached USD 770.14 billion, up 28.7% compared to the same period last year. This is the highest level for the first eight months on record.
The merchandise trade balance for the first eight months recorded a trade deficit of USD 20.46 billion, reversing from a trade surplus of USD 14.02 billion in the same period of 2025. The domestic economic sector posted a trade deficit of USD 30.6 billion, while the foreign-invested sector recorded a trade surplus of USD 10.14 billion.
The majority of import value consisted of machinery, equipment, and raw materials and fuels for production. The group of production materials accounted for more than 94% of total import turnover.
Among these, electronics, computers and components emerged as the group with the largest import scale. The import value of this group exceeded USD 160 billion after eight months, up by more than two-thirds compared to the same period. This is also the group that placed the greatest pressure on the trade balance, with its standalone trade deficit reaching USD 60.6 billion.
China continued to be Vietnam's largest import market, with turnover of nearly USD 162 billion after eight months. Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of USD 107.7 billion with China, up more than 40% compared to the same period last year. South Korea was also a major source of trade deficit, while Vietnam continued to run a trade deficit with the ASEAN region.
Conversely, the United States continued to be Vietnam's largest export market. Export turnover to this market reached approximately USD 122 billion, helping Vietnam achieve a trade surplus of USD 106.6 billion. Vietnam also maintained a trade surplus with the European Union and Japan.
In the first eight months, Vietnam had 33 product categories with turnover of USD 1 billion or more, of which 7 categories exceeded USD 10 billion.
Electronics, computers and components continued to lead exports, reaching more than USD 101 billion, up over 50% compared to the same period. Machinery and equipment; phones and components also maintained large export scale.
