Vietnam’s trade balance recorded a surplus of nearly $447 million in the second half of May 2026, a significant turnaround from the nearly $5.7 billion deficit seen in the first half of the month.
According to preliminary data from the Vietnam Customs, during the second half of May, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached approximately $51.31 billion, up 5.67% compared to the second half of April 2026. For the first five months of the year, total trade volume reached $445.12 billion, representing a 25.05% increase over the same period in 2025.
In the second half of May alone, export turnover reached approximately $25.88 billion, up 6.4% compared to the second half of April. This indicates that export activities have recovered following a period of adjustment in the first half of the month.
The export structure continues to reflect a heavy reliance on the processing and manufacturing sector. This sector remains the dominant force, with five commodity groups exceeding the $1 billion mark in turnover.
The "computers, electronic products, and components" group reached approximately $7.35 billion, a sharp increase of 18.36% (equivalent to an increase of $1.14 billion). This is not only the largest category in terms of scale but also the most volatile, serving as a decisive factor in short-term export trends. Additionally, exports of phones and components rose by 21.93%, while machinery, equipment, and tools grew by 11.22%.
By business sector, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) enterprises continue to play the leading role in exports. During this period, the FDI sector reached a turnover of approximately $21.01 billion, an increase of 10.77%. This growth rate is significantly higher than the general average, showing that the momentum for export recovery is primarily driven by this sector, particularly within high-tech industries.
Import turnover in the second half of May 2026 reached approximately $25.43 billion, up 4.94% compared to the second half of April. This reflects an expanding demand for raw materials and inputs to support production amid the recovery of export activities.
Imports of computers, electronic products, and components reached approximately $10.63 billion, up 12.79% from the previous period, and remain the largest import category. This trend suggests that imports are "leading the way" in preparation for the upcoming production and export cycle.
Notably, imports of phones and components surged by 41.37%, an increase of approximately $125.03 million—the highest growth rate among major commodity groups. This spike serves as an early signal that businesses are ramping up component imports to meet future orders.
Regarding the business sector, FDI enterprises continue to dominate the flow of imports, reaching approximately $18.98 billion, an 11.68% increase.
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