Vietnam-China Trade Tops $31 Billion in Early 2025, Exports Decline as Beijing Tightens Controls

China remained Vietnam’s largest trading partner as 2025 goods trade crossed $900 billion, according to Vietnam Customs.
Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong. China remained Vietnam’s largest trading partner as 2025 goods trade crossed $900 billion, according to Vietnam Customs. Image: Nhac Nguyen / AFP

Vietnam’s trade with China surged in early 2025, but not in Vietnam’s favor. Fresh data shows that while imports from China are rising, Vietnamese exports are struggling to keep up.

In the first two months of 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $31 billion. But China’s tightening grip on imports—especially on key agricultural products like durian—has sharply reduced Vietnam’s shipments.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Edwin Shri Bimo

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
4 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
5 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
6
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP

[ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS] Delivery of the daily email newsletter will resume on Monday, January 5th.

Got it!
X