Vietnam’s exports to mainland China soar to record high as electronics boom fuels trade turnaround

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Vietnam’s exports to mainland China surged 36 percent to a record US$11.7 billion in September, backed almost entirely by a doubling of electronics shipments, as the country returned to a monthly trade surplus after nine consecutive months of deficits.

Exports of computers, electronic products, and components to mainland China reached nearly $6 billion in September, twice the August figure and nearly four times the level recorded a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the Vietnam Customs Department.

The surge pushed Vietnam’s total exports to its northern neighbor to an all-time high, surpassing the previous monthly levels of less than $9 billion.

Electronics accounted for nearly all of the $3.1 billion increase in exports to China, with shipments jumping to $5.99 billion in September from $2.92 billion in August.

For the first time, electronics made up more than half of Vietnam’s exports to China, accounting for 51 percent of the total, compared with 34 percent in August and just 20 percent a year earlier.

The rise was particularly striking given that monthly electronics exports to China had ranged from $900 million to $1.6 billion throughout 2025, before climbing to $2.5-3 billion from May this year.

The boom was not limited to mainland China.

Electronics exports to the U.S., Vietnam’s largest market for the products, also reached a record of nearly $7 billion in September, up $1.8 billion from August.

Hong Kong ranked third, with shipments exceeding $3 billion, an increase of more than 70 percent.

Together, mainland China, the U.S., and Hong Kong made up over 90 percent of the monthly increase in Vietnam’s electronics exports.

Other major markets recorded far more modest changes, with shipments to South Korea, the Netherlands, and Thailand edging up, while exports to Malaysia declined.

Electronics lead September export growth

The surge in electronics shipments played a key role in Vietnam’s return to a monthly merchandise trade surplus of $1.27 billion last month, the first since December 2025, according to the National Statistics Office.

Electronics were also the main contributor to the country’s overall export growth during the month.

While Vietnam’s total exports rose by $4.7 billion from August, electronics shipments alone increased by $6.7 billion, indicating that other product categories collectively recorded a decline.

Electronics exports reached $22.6 billion, constituting nearly 38 percent of the total export turnover, while shipments of other goods fell 5.1 percent to $36.9 billion.

Among major export categories, textiles and garments declined 15 percent, while phones and components fell 12.8 percent. Footwear and fruit and vegetable exports also slipped.

Machinery and equipment was the only other major category to post growth alongside electronics.

Electronics trade deficit narrows

On the import side, Vietnam’s electronics imports also reached a record high of more than $27.1 billion in September, up 5.9 percent from August.

However, with exports rising much faster than imports, the sector’s trade deficit narrowed from $9.76 billion in August to $4.58 billion, its lowest level since the beginning of the year.

Vietnam’s total imports from China and South Korea, its two largest suppliers of electronic products and components, also reached record highs in September.

Foreign-invested enterprises accounted for nearly all of Vietnam’s electronics exports, making up 99.7 percent of the sector’s total export value during the month.

The broader foreign direct investment (FDI) sector recorded a trade surplus of $4.8 billion, while domestic businesses posted a deficit of $3.5 billion.

In its September macro-economic report, Rong Viet Securities said growing demand for electronic components and semiconductors would likely sustain the FDI sector’s dominant position in Vietnam’s trade balance.

The brokerage noted that this trend would be difficult to reverse without greater technology transfer and stronger links between foreign-invested and domestic businesses.

Reprinted from Tuoi Tre News