Entrepreneur? Considering moving your business to Vietnam? Download our guidewith incentives, legal structures, costs and other considerations. Cố lên nhé!
Vietnam has transformed itself into one of the world’s most dynamic export hubs, leveraging its strategic location, youthful workforce, and network of free trade agreements to move well beyond low-cost textiles. Today, the country’s export portfolio ranges from lucrative cutting-edge electronics to traditional commodities like coffee and seafood, with total shipments topping US$500 billion annually. For global businesses, investors, and supply chain strategists, understanding Vietnam’s top exports is about mapping where the next decade of manufacturing, sourcing, and trade influence is headed.
- 1. Electrical Machinery & Equipment
Vietnam’s export kingpin remains electrical machinery and equipment—making up an astounding 38–40% of total exports (~US$192 billion in 2024) . This category spans everything from integrated circuits to smartphones and transmission apparatus, with giants like Samsung, LG, Apple, and Intel fueling the boom . In early 2025 alone, electronics-related exports surged, accounting for over 21% of total exports (~US$29 billion) .
2. Machinery, including Computers and Components
Ranking next is machinery—particularly computing components and mechanical appliances—racking up about US$74 billion (2024) or 5–15% of exports depending on classification . This sector includes parts for phones, pumps, engines, and more, reinforcing Vietnam’s role in the global manufacturing chain.
3. Footwear
Vietnam is a surprisingly huge global shoe-making powerhouse, exporting approx US$33–34 billion in footwear (2024), accounting for around 6–7% of its exports. Brands like Nike and Adidas operate factories here, benefiting from low production costs and efficient logistics.
4. Apparel: Knit & Non-Knit
Garments continue to be a backbone of Vietnam’s trade:
- Knitwear (HS 61): ~US$21 billion
- Non-knit apparel (HS 62): ~US$19–20 billion
Combined, they represent 10–12% of national exports, reinforcing Vietnam’s dominance in global apparel sourcing.
5. Furniture & Bedding
The woodworking export story is thriving—exports of furniture, lighting, and prefabricated buildings total around US$14 billion (~3–4%) . Many of these products are shipped to the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
6. Fish & Seafood
Vietnam exports approximately US$9–10 billion in seafood—shrimp, fillets, squid, and more—accounting for 2–2.5% of total output . A mix of wild-catch and aquaculture continues to strengthen this sector.
7. Wood & Wood Articles
Raw and processed wood articles clock in around US$6–7 billion (~1.5%) in exports. Many are component parts for larger furniture or construction goods.
8. Coffee, Tea & Spices
The agri-exports category remains vital, with coffee, tea, and spices pulling in US$5–6 billion, or about 1–1.5% of export revenue. Vietnam consistently ranks as a top global supplier of robusta coffee and black pepper.
9. Rubber & Rubber Products
Despite global commodity dips, rubber and its articles—including tires and industrial goods—still generate around US$4.3 billion (~1%).
10. Other Notables: Plastics, Iron & Steel
Rounding out the top ten, Vietnam exports plastics (US$7–10 billion), iron & steel (~US$8–9 billion), and prefabricated building parts (~US$12 billion in furniture segment). These categories speak to the country’s versatility and industrial growth.
Insights & Strategic Takeaways for B2B Professionals
A. Electronics: The Growth Engine
Vietnam’s dominance in electronics isn’t slowing, it’s accelerating. With nearly 30% of exports going to the U.S. (~US$140+ billion), and integration with global manufacturers, minor trade shifts can have outsized effects. Trade policies, component sourcing, and tariff rules, such as the ambiguous “trans shipment”* clause, should be watched.
B. Apparel & Footwear: Cost + Capacity at Scale
Vietnam’s apparel and footwear sectors remain competitive with scale, strong factory ecosystems, and trade agreements. Brand shifts—like Nike’s production diversification—reinforce resilience amid geopolitical risks like tariffs.
C. Agri-Goods & Natural Resources: A Stabilizing Force
Though smaller in export share, seafood, coffee, spices, and rubber stabilize trade. These sectors offer range in export mix and are less subject to electronics-related fluctuations.
D. Strategic Diversification & Risk Management
Vietnam’s export makeup is a picture of dual strengths: high-tech manufacturing and tradable raw/agricultural goods. Companies entering or sourcing from Vietnam would do well to diversify suppliers, factoring in component dependencies (e.g. from China) and trade policy uncertainty.
For Vietnam, the story of exports is more than economic success. It is a blueprint for resilience in a volatile global market. The country’s ability to balance high-tech manufacturing with reliable agricultural and natural resource exports gives it both scale and stability. For B2B leaders, the lesson is clear: Vietnam is no longer a peripheral sourcing option but a strategic partner in global supply chains. Companies that build relationships, hedge against trade risks, and invest early in Vietnam’s growth sectors will be better positioned to capture new opportunities as the country cements its place among the world’s export powerhouses.
- * refers to rules meant to stop goods from being re-labeled or lightly altered in a third country to dodge tariffs or quotas.
