VIETNAM’S EXPORTS TO U.S. HIT RECORD HIGH OF OVER US$126 BILLION

Workers are seen at a wood-processing factory - PHOTO: ARCHIVES

HCMC – Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. reached more than US$126 billion in the first 10 months of the year, the highest level on record and up nearly 28% from the same period in 2024.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the U.S. accounted for over 30% of the country’s total export value, reinforcing its role as Vietnam’s largest export market and a key driver of trade growth heading into 2026.

Shipments to other major markets also posted solid gains. Exports to China rose 13.9% to almost US$57 billion, while the EU market expanded 8.3% to US$46.5 billion. Shipments to ASEAN members increased 3.1% to US$31.8 billion.

Exports to South Korea reached US$23.84 billion, up 12%. Japan imported US$22.03 billion worth of goods, a rise of 8.8%. Exports to Hong Kong surged 38.6% to US$14.33 billion.

The surge in overall export earnings was driven by strong growth across Vietnam’s key manufacturing sectors, especially electronics, machinery, and technology-related products.

Computers, electronic products, and components recorded the sharpest increase, jumping nearly 78% to over US$34 billion — the strongest rise in a decade. Machinery and equipment climbed 9.2% to US$19.6 billion. Exports of phones and phone parts rose to US$9.02 billion after two years of stagnation. Textiles and garments rebounded to US$14.81 billion, up 11.4%.

Toys and sporting goods emerged as a standout category, benefiting from a shift in U.S. orders away from China. Exports in this group soared more than 255% to US$5.24 billion.

Wood and wooden products earned US$7.8 billion, up 6%, while vehicles and spare parts increased nearly 11%. Textile exports overall contributed almost US$15 billion, rising around 11%.

Agricultural and seafood products also posted notable improvements. Seafood exports recovered as U.S. inventories cleared and demand for high-end products improved.

By mid-November, Vietnam had shipped more than 1.35 million tons of coffee worth US$7.64 billion. Volume grew 15.4% but revenue jumped 62.6% due to high prices, allowing the sector to surpass its full-year 2024 record of US$5.62 billion with more than a month remaining.

Pepper exports continued their upward momentum as well. Companies exported an additional 8,200 tons in the first half of November, earning nearly US$53 million. By November 15, exports totaled about 213,400 tons valued at US$1.44 billion, surpassing the previous peak of US$1.43 billion set in 2016.

Source: The Saigon Times