Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of USD 5.21 billion in May 2026, reversing from a surplus of USD 0.62 billion in the same month a year earlier. This was the largest monthly trade deficit since December 1996, driven by imports growing significantly faster than exports. Exports increased 18.0% year-on-year to USD 46.93 billion, while imports jumped 33.8% to a record USD 52.14 billion.
Over the first five months of 2026, the country posted a cumulative trade deficit of USD 13.8 billion. During this period, exports rose 19.5% year-on-year to USD 215.66 billion, whereas imports surged 30.8% to USD 229.46 billion.
Exports of processed industrial goods were estimated at USD 193.71 billion, accounting for 89.8% of total export value. The United States remained Vietnam’s largest export market, with shipments estimated at USD 69.6 billion. On the import side, production materials were estimated at USD 215.99 billion, representing 94.1% of total imports. China continued to be Vietnam’s largest supplier, with import turnover estimated at USD 92.6 billion.
