Room for exports to China remains extensive
![]() |
Rubber production inside a plant
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in 2017, trade between Vietnam and China reached US$94.3 billion, with Vietnam’s exports hitting US$35.4 billion.
In the first 11 months of 2018, Vietnamese shipments to China were valued at US$37.6 billion, up 22% year on year, an equivalent to 16.8% of the country’s total export value. Exported goods that reeled in more than US$1 billion in the period included phone-components (US$8.4 billion), electronic devices and components (US$7.6 billion), fruit-vegetables (US$2.5 billion), garment-textile (US$1.38 billion) and rubber (US$1.2 billion).
Speaking at a recent forum on exports to ASEAN and China held by the Investment & Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City, Chinese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Wu Jun said Vietnam is among China’s biggest trade partners in ASEAN.
He said to serve demand of its 1.3 billion population, China will sustain its policy of economic openness, win-win benefits, trade liberalisation and investment facilitation.
According to the diplomat, contracts worth US$57.8 billion were secured at the first China International Import Expo last November. It is expected the country’s imports of goods and services will surpass US$30 trillion and US$10 trillion in the next 15 years, respectively.
He said Vietnam – China trade could grow yet further. However, Vietnamese firms have been warned to stay alert when carrying out import-export activities with the market.
The Vietnamese trade office in China said the country has raised its quarantine standards and conditions for imported agricultural products, and is building examination facilities on par with those of the US, Japan and EU nations. As such, Vietnamese exporters should be aware of China’s regulations on product origin and quality.
Meanwhile, several Vietnamese export products to China are facing fierce competition from Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and even China. For example, Chinese businesses are planning to invest in tra fish production, meaning China might reduce imports and Vietnamese exporters should come up with back-up plans. China, surpassing the US, is now the biggest importer of Vietnamese tra fish.
According to insiders, the context presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring Vietnamese enterprises to intensify efforts in market study, brand building and intellectual property protection when doing business with Chinese partners.
Related News

Exports witness a rise of US$1 billion in the first 15 days of 2025
07:49 | 12/02/2025 Import-Export

US or China: Who will lead in Vietnamese Tra fish imports?
10:11 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Spending US$380 billion for imports, China accounts for 38% of country's imports
17:03 | 26/01/2025 Import-Export
Latest News

Central industrial hub sets ambitious growth target in 2025
14:26 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Demand for dragon fruit in Tiền Giang Province continues to increase
14:23 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Data centres are attracting investors in Asia
14:22 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Sustainable fashion presents promising niche market for textile manufacturers
08:22 | 10/02/2025 Import-Export
More News

VN's car industry to diversify supply chain
15:33 | 07/02/2025 Import-Export

Exports of agro-forestry-aquatic products down nearly 5 per cent in January
15:32 | 07/02/2025 Import-Export

Thailand reviews anti-dumping tax on Vietnamese steel
14:15 | 06/02/2025 Import-Export

In the first 15 days of 2025, total import-export turnover reached more than US$34 billion
09:58 | 06/02/2025 Import-Export

Pangasius fetch record price in early 2025
14:06 | 05/02/2025 Import-Export

Việt Nam and India trade reached $15 billion in 2024
14:05 | 05/02/2025 Import-Export

Việt Nam's port firms thrive in 2024
14:04 | 05/02/2025 Import-Export

Software exporter looks to new pace of growth
07:58 | 04/02/2025 Import-Export

Việt Nam's exports to EU see impressive recovery in 2024
07:56 | 04/02/2025 Import-Export
Your care

Exports witness a rise of US$1 billion in the first 15 days of 2025
07:49 | 12/02/2025 Import-Export

Central industrial hub sets ambitious growth target in 2025
14:26 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Demand for dragon fruit in Tiền Giang Province continues to increase
14:23 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Data centres are attracting investors in Asia
14:22 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

US or China: Who will lead in Vietnamese Tra fish imports?
10:11 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export