According to Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s total merchandise trade turnover reached USD 445.12 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 25.0% year-on-year. Exports increased by 19.5% to USD 215.66 billion, while imports rose by 30.8% to USD 229.46 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 13.8 billion. Export growth was driven mainly by the manufacturing and processing sector, particularly computers, electronics and components, which recorded growth of more than 46%. Other key export products such as machinery and equipment, mobile phones and components, textiles and footwear also posted positive growth. Agricultural exports remained an important contributor, with fruits and vegetables, seafood and pepper continuing to perform well in international markets.

Vietnam–Germany trade also maintained strong momentum. According to Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade turnover exceeded USD 6.63 billion in the first five months of 2026, an increase of 17.4% compared with the same period in 2025. Vietnam’s exports to Germany reached over USD 4.71 billion, up 15.7%, while imports from Germany rose by 22% to more than USD 1.9 billion.

In terms of exports to Germany, agricultural products showed mixed results. Coffee exports declined by 22% to approximately USD 597 million, while pepper exports fell by 25% to USD 47.84 million. However, exports of cashew nuts increased by 25% to USD 78.08 million and fruits and vegetables rose by 37% to USD 47.97 million. Seafood exports reached USD 81.03 million, slightly down 2% compared with the same period last year. In the manufacturing sector, exports of mobile phones and components grew strongly by 49% to USD 569.57 million, while exports of computers, electronics and components surged by 63% to USD 772.69 million. Meanwhile, traditional export items such as textiles and footwear recorded declines of 4% and 5%, respectively.

On the import side, Vietnam continued to increase purchases of German industrial products and technology. Imports of machinery, equipment and spare parts reached over USD 750 million, up 31%. Imports of computers, electronic products and components nearly doubled, increasing by 97% to USD 148.57 million. Imports of completely built-up (CBU) vehicles rose sharply by 150% to USD 25.68 million. In contrast, imports of pharmaceuticals declined by 20% to USD 153.61 million, while chemical imports fell by 42% to USD 81.31 million and fertilizer imports decreased by 45% to USD 3.42 million.

The strong growth in bilateral trade highlights the increasingly complementary nature of the Vietnamese and German economies. Germany remains Vietnam’s leading trading partner in the European Union, while Vietnam continues to strengthen its role as an important manufacturing and export hub in Southeast Asia, supported by expanding economic cooperation and the benefits of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).