Vietnam emerges top export market of ROK

Vietnam has emerged as one of the top three export destinations for the Republic of Korea ROK according to statistics from the Korea International Trade Association KITA.

The ratio of exports to Vietnam as a percentage of the East Asian country’s total exports for the seven months leading up to August jumped to 6.4%, nearly half (46%) of the 14% ratio for exports to the US.

During the seven months, exports out of the ROK to Vietnam totalled US$18.0215 billion, up 10.1% on-year, while concurrently overall total exports out of the ROK declined by the same 10.1%.

Of the top four export markets for the ROK, only exports to Vietnam showed growth with exports to China, the US and Japan (the first, second and fourth largest export markets) having fallen 13.5%, 5.4% and 12%, respectively.

vietnam emerges top export market of rok 1047

Last year, Vietnam became the fourth-largest export destination for the ROK by surpassing Japan.

Such a rapid rise in the significance of Vietnam to the ROK economy has to do with the fact that manufacturing giants such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have since 2009 been pumping tens of millions of US dollars of investment into the Southeast Asian nation.

KITA statistics showed that for the period from 2009 to 2014, concurrent with the rise in investment there had been a 17.6% rise in exports of intermediate goods and raw materials to Vietnam.

Commercial trade between the ROK and Vietnam, according to KITA, is likely to continue to increase in light of the fact a free trade agreement between the two countries that came into effect in December of last year has made trade more attractive.

Still, KITA pointed out that ROK companies operating in Vietnam have yet to show adequate rates of return on their investments, particularly in light of the tremendous size of those investments.

According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, ROK companies’ direct investment in Vietnam amounted to US$15 billion last year but their operating profit ratio and current net earnings ratio stood at 2.3% and 0.6%, far below their global averages of 3.2% and 1.7%.

Source: VOV

Related News

Vietnam, Korea Customs sign AEO MRA

Vietnam, Korea Customs sign AEO MRA

VCN- The Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), Mr Nguyen Van Tho, and the Commissioner of Korea Customs Service (KCS), Mr Ko Kwang Hyo, signed the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO MRA) on the afternoon of December 24, at the GDVC’s headquarters.
Agricultural exports in 2024 to exceed 60 billion USD?

Agricultural exports in 2024 to exceed 60 billion USD?

VCN - The agricultural sector has basically achieved and exceeded the set targets when the export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the first 11 months of 2024 reached 56.74 billion USD, up 19% over the same period in 2023, the trade surplus reached nearly 16.5 billion USD, up 52.8%. This year's agricultural exports are expected to exceed 60 billion USD if the export value in December reaches over 5 billion USD.
Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

VCN - The signing of protocols between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China has created momentum for many domestic agricultural products. In 2025 and the coming years, participating in cross-border e-commerce channels is considered a potential direction for domestic enterprises to directly approach Chinese consumers.
Increasing consumption demand, steel enterprises face many opportunities

Increasing consumption demand, steel enterprises face many opportunities

VCN - Vietnam's steel industry is benefiting from increasing domestic and export demand for steel. However, entering 2025, the industry still faces many challenges.

Latest News

Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

This places the province among the top 10 nationwide in FDI attraction, showcasing its increasing appeal to international investors.
Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

The numbers investing in this sector remains modest, because the supportive mechanisms and policies for the investors are not attractive enough, according to experts.
Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Principal of the School of Business at the National Economics University, Associate Professor Dr Tạ Văn Lợi, talked to Vietnam News Agency about solutions for domestic enterprises to become more green in terms of logistics.
VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

Việt Nam’s seafood export in 2024 has surpassed its target of US$10 billion despite many challenges related to the market, logistics and materials, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

More News

Exporters urged to actively prepare for trade defence investigation risks when exporting to the UK

Exporters urged to actively prepare for trade defence investigation risks when exporting to the UK

The UKVFTA and the UK’s official participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) from December 15 are creating significant opportunities for Việt Nam to expand exports to the UK. However, the risk of trade defence investigations is always present.
Electronic imports exceed $100 billion

Electronic imports exceed $100 billion

Computers, electronic products and components are the first import group to exceed the US$100 billion mark this year.
Forestry exports set a record of $17.3 billion

Forestry exports set a record of $17.3 billion

Việt Nam’s forestry export turnover is estimated to reach a record of US$17.3 billion in 2024.
Hanoi: Maximum support for affiliating production and sustainable consumption of agricultural products

Hanoi: Maximum support for affiliating production and sustainable consumption of agricultural products

VCN - Hanoi City aims to have clean agriculture by 2030, from land, water to air, and clean the environment, especially rivers. Hanoi must create a difference for agricultural product brands, products must be certified and must build the brand "made in Hanoi".
Việt Nam boosts supporting industries with development programmes

Việt Nam boosts supporting industries with development programmes

Việt Nam’s supporting industries play a crucial role in the development and competitiveness of key sectors, receiving substantial government investment and support.
VN

VN's wood industry sees chances and challenges from US new trade policies

Việt Nam’s wood industry will need to be flexible due to the anticipated new trade policies of US President-elect Donald Trump in the future, according to experts.
Vietnam

Vietnam's fruit, vegetable exports reach new milestone, topping 7 billion USD

Vietnam’s efforts in expanding export markets for its fruits and vegetables in 2024 has paid off as for the first time, the export of these products has brought home 7.2 billion USD, much higher than the figure of 3.3 billion USD two years ago.
Aquatic exports hit 10 billion USD

Aquatic exports hit 10 billion USD

Vietnam's aquatic exports reached 10 billion USD in 2024, driven by shrimp and pangasius, despite challenges related to markets, logistics, and raw materials, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said on December 23.
Hong Kong: A gateway for Vietnamese businesses to access the Greater Bay Area market

Hong Kong: A gateway for Vietnamese businesses to access the Greater Bay Area market

VCN - According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam-China trade is expected to reach a new record of approximately US$200 billion in 2024. This milestone marks a record in bilateral trade that Vietnam has achieved with a partner.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

Nghệ An Province anticipates record FDI amidst economic upswing

This places the province among the top 10 nationwide in FDI attraction, showcasing its increasing appeal to international investors.
Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

Green farming development needs supportive policies to attract investors

The numbers investing in this sector remains modest, because the supportive mechanisms and policies for the investors are not attractive enough, according to experts.
Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Vietnamese enterprises adapt to green logistics trend

Principal of the School of Business at the National Economics University, Associate Professor Dr Tạ Văn Lợi, talked to Vietnam News Agency about solutions for domestic enterprises to become more green in terms of logistics.
Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

Paving the way for Vietnamese agricultural products in China

VCN - The signing of protocols between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China has created momentum for many domestic agricultural products. In 2025 and the coming years, participatin
VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

VN seafood export surpass 2024 goal of $10 billion

Việt Nam’s seafood export in 2024 has surpassed its target of US$10 billion despite many challenges related to the market, logistics and materials, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Mobile Version