The United States was Vietnam’s biggest goods importer in 2015, up 16.9 per cent against 2014. China was Vietnam’s second largest goods importer, up 11.2 per cent year-on-year, followed by South Korea with an increase of 25.03 per cent. Vietnam’s two-way trade with other Asian markets rose by 8.9 per cent over 2014, and these markets made up the biggest proportion of the total, at 65.6 per cent. Apparel is one of Vietnam’s major export earners.

China was Vietnam’s biggest exporter in 2015, a year-on-year rise of 13.9 per cent. Vietnam’s goods exports to the EU climbed 9.4 per cent, to Africa were up 9.8 per cent. Exports to Australia were down 16.2 per cent versus 2014. Vietnam had trade ties with over 200 countries and territories last year. Her exports rose 7.9 per cent year-on-year and imports were up 12 per cent.

Last year, Vietnam spent $14.37 billion on imports from Japan, increasing 11.15 per cent from a year earlier. The nation bought nearly $11 billion worth of goods from Taiwan, down 0.78 per cent; and $8.28 billion from Thailand, growing 16.79 per cent. Vietnam’s imports from South Korea in 2015 showed a strong increase of 27 per cent versus 2014.