Vietnam Posts Largest Trade Gap on Record

2026-06-03 02:04 By Chusnul Chotimah 1 min. read

Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of USD 5.21 billion in May 2026, shifting from a surplus of USD 0.62 billion in the same month a year earlier and marking the largest trade deficit since records began in 1990.

Exports grew 18.0% yoy to a record peak of USD 46.93 billion, while imports rose at a faster pace of 33.8% to a record high of USD 52.14 billion.

For the first five months of the year, the country posted a USD 13.8 billion trade deficit, with exports rising 19.5% yoy to USD 215.66 billion, and imports surging 30.8% to USD 229.46 billion.

During the period, exports of processed industrial goods were estimated at USD 193.71 billion, accounting for 89.8% of total exports.

The US remained the largest export market, with exports estimated at USD 69.6 billion.

Meanwhile, imports of production materials were estimated at USD 215.99 billion, accounting for 94.1% of total imports.

China remained the largest source of imports, with import turnover estimated at USD 92.6 billion.



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Vietnam Posts Largest Trade Gap on Record
Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of USD 5.21 billion in May 2026, shifting from a surplus of USD 0.62 billion in the same month a year earlier and marking the largest trade deficit since records began in 1990. Exports grew 18.0% yoy to a record peak of USD 46.93 billion, while imports rose at a faster pace of 33.8% to a record high of USD 52.14 billion. For the first five months of the year, the country posted a USD 13.8 billion trade deficit, with exports rising 19.5% yoy to USD 215.66 billion, and imports surging 30.8% to USD 229.46 billion. During the period, exports of processed industrial goods were estimated at USD 193.71 billion, accounting for 89.8% of total exports. The US remained the largest export market, with exports estimated at USD 69.6 billion. Meanwhile, imports of production materials were estimated at USD 215.99 billion, accounting for 94.1% of total imports. China remained the largest source of imports, with import turnover estimated at USD 92.6 billion.
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