Introduction to Importing from Vietnam
Importing from Vietnam can be a goldmine if you know where to look. Vietnam is located in the heart of Southeast Asia and has a growing economy. Vietnam is a major player in international trade with a focus on exporting coffee, textiles and electronics. The country has bilateral trade agreements with the EU and South Korea which has opened up new market access for businesses. To import from Vietnam you need to understand the country’s regulations, quality standards and origin rules. With the right knowledge and planning importing from Vietnam can be a profitable adventure.
The Hottest Products to Import From Vietnam in 2025
Below are the 6 hottest products to import from Vietnam, with large growth potential and high demand:
- Electronics and Components
- Textiles and Garments
- Footwear
- Wood and Wood Products
- Agricultural Products (Coffee and Rice)
- Seafood
Vietnam’s Export Performance in 2024
In 2024, Vietnam achieved a record-high export value of $405.53 billion, marking a 14.3% increase from the previous year, showing that Vietnam’s potential as an export partner is increasing and could be an opportune time to build your network there.
From January to September 2024, exports totaled approximately $335.59 billion, reflecting a 14.9% year-on-year growth. This upward trend shows the strength of Vietnam’s export sector and its growing significance in global trade.
Key Export Destinations
Vietnam’s primary export markets in 2024 included:
- United States: The U.S. remained Vietnam’s largest export market, with revenues reaching $119.6 billion, accounting for 29.5% of the country’s total export turnover.
- China: Exports to China amounted to $60.89 billion, showing a slight increase of 0.3% compared to the previous year.
- European Union: The EU continued to be a significant market, with total turnover of $51.66 billion, up 18.5% from the previous year.
- Japan: Exports to Japan reached $20.1 billion, marking a 4.6% increase year-on-year.
- South Korea: Shipments to South Korea totaled $21 billion, up 6.9% compared to 2023.
These figures highlight Vietnam’s expanding trade relationships and its strategic position in the global export landscape and something that you can use for your own import export business.
6 Hot Products to Import from Vietnam
With a very brief overview of these figures, if you’re still looking for some inspiration and thinking about importing from Vietnam, here’s 6 hot products, in demand from Vietnam right now:
Electronics and Components
Electronics are Vietnam’s leading export, in 2024, exports of computers, electronic products, and components are expected to reach $71.7 billion, a 25% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by the country’s robust manufacturing infrastructure and skilled workforce, which attracts global tech companies.
As a small importer the key is to focus on items that are:
- Lightweight and easy to ship
- Non-perishable or shelf-stable
- Require minimal regulatory barriers
- In demand year-round or seasonal with high margins
- Allow for small MOQ (minimum order quantity)
Some ideal product examples for you to think about:
Consumer Electronics Accessories
- Phone cases, chargers, earbuds, Bluetooth speakers
- Smartwatch straps and accessories
- Laptop stands, keyboards, and mouse pads
Textiles and Garments
Vietnam’s textile and garment industry remains a cornerstone of its export economy. In 2024, exports in this sector are projected to achieve nearly $44 billion, which cements Vietnam’s position as the world’s second-largest textile exporter. The industry’s focus on quality and adherence to international standards which continues to attract global fashion brands but crucial to make sure that the textile and garment industry complies with international standards so you can maintain this competitive edge.
The share of textile exports relative to Vietnam’s overall total exports has increased, showcasing a competitive edge over other regional exporters. You can take advantage of this quality and expertise and import garments from Vietnam for your own venture.
Wood and Wood Products
Vietnam’s wood industry has had a strong rebound, exporting $1.49 billion in January 2024 alone, a 72.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The sector aims to achieve $17.5 billion in exports by year-end, driven by high demand in markets like the US, China, Japan, and South Korea.
As an exporter of wood and wood products, you’re in a strong position as there’s steady demand, especially for sustainably sourced, eco-friendly, and design-forward wooden goods. For example, acacia wood furniture is in high demand as its durability and looks good.
Here are some ideas that are manageable for small-scale exporters and attractive to global buyers:
Wooden Kitchenware
- Cutting boards (especially end-grain or custom shapes)
- Wooden spoons, spatulas, salad servers
- Mortar & pestles, butter knives, rolling pins
Small Furniture & Home Decor
- Wooden stools, side tables, plant stands
- Floating shelves or minimalist bookcases
- Picture frames, wall art, coat racks
Wooden Toys
- Montessori toys (shapes, puzzles, balance boards)
- Dollhouses, stacking blocks, toy cars
- Musical toys (xylophones, rhythm sticks)
Wooden Candle Holders & Incense Burners
- Tealight holders, rustic log-based designs
- Modern minimalist stands
- Wooden trays for home fragrance kits
These are just a few ideas but something that I hope will inspire you and help you to research further.
Agricultural Products (Coffee and Rice)
Vietnam’s agricultural exports have seen significant growth, with the sector’s export turnover estimated at $35.5 billion, up 20.6% year-on-year.
Coffee: With a 35.4% increase, coffee exports have solidified Vietnam’s position as a leading global supplier with coffee in demand worldwide. Pay attention to rules and regulations for the import of foods into the country that you’re importing to. For the UK see this link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/classifying-rice
Rice: Exports are anticipated to bring in nearly $4.8 billion, reflecting a 38.4% year-on-year growth.
https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain
Seafood
Vietnam’s seafood exports are projected to grow by over 10% in 2024, with key products like shrimp, fish, and mollusks meeting stringent international food safety standards. The country’s extensive coastline make it a leading exporter in this category.
There are important rules and regulations to importing seafood so make sure you are familiar with the rules of the country you are importing to. For the UK, the following link will get you started:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-or-moving-fish-to-the-uk
Additionally, be aware of the regulations and taxes related to imported seafood, as compliance with trade regulations and understanding import tax implications are crucial for successful importation.
Import Taxes and Customs Duty
When importing goods from Vietnam, businesses need to comply with the country’s import taxes (or tariffs) and customs duty regulations. The tax rates vary depending on the type of product, with luxury goods subject to higher taxes than production machinery or raw materials. Vietnam is a member of several free trade areas, including the ASEAN Free Trade Area, which reduces import taxes for intra-regional trade. Businesses can use online tools like the UK Integrated Online Tariff to determine the correct tariff treatment for their goods. It’s also essential to understand the country’s origin rules and ensure that goods meet the necessary quality standards to avoid delays or penalties.
The 4 Steps To Success
If you’re now thinking to get involved in the import export world and importing any of these products into your own country, I highly recommend it! Below is a personal testimonial of my experience, working 35+ years in import export. I’ve met some many great people, enjoyed my travels around the world and the satisfaction of negotiating deals and moving products around the world has been fantastic.
If the ideas above have inspired you, I recommend you take the next three steps.
Step 1: Know How To Source Your Products and Import From Vietnam
Once you’ve decided on some products, you’ll have to source where to buy them. Finding sellers of your products is also half the fun. If you’re in a position to travel and explore, do it! It’s a great opportunity to expand your horizons. Not so easy in these times of a global pandemic but eventually we’ll be able to travel again.
If you can’t travel, there’s always Google, AliBaba and AliExpress. This can be a great place to start. For more ideas and an much more in-depth look into sourcing products, check out our blog in sourcing products internationally.
Another advantage to these products is they’re small enough to get product samples easily, either by travelling to India and bringing them to other countries or by buying online and having the goods shipped.
Once you’ve found your new supplier, you’re going to need an EORI number for products to clear UK customs and a freight forwarder so make sure you know how to set this up.
Step 2: Know How To Finding Buyers
Perhaps the biggest question is inevitably, how do I find buyers for my products?
This is without doubt the most common question that I’m asked. Well, the good news is, there’s more than one way to do this. The bad news is, there’s no “easy” way. It’s all going to take some hard work and perseverance but it can most certainly be done and some good profits are no doubt waiting for you.
For my biggest hints and tips after a lifetime in commercial buying and selling check out our blog post on finding buyers.
Step 3: Make Sure You Understand the Basics
You’re going to need to understand at a minimum, the basics of import and export. Don’t jump in and start buying products, hoping to sell them by crossing your fingers. You’ll lose money, time and cause yourself a lot of stress and increase your risk of being scammed.
To start, have a read of our blog post, How To Start an Import Export Business. It’s only the bare minimum but it will give you an idea of what you need to start thinking about and you’ll pick up some handy tips that I learned over the year.
Step 4: Import Export Training Courses Online
If you’re still sold on the idea of trading internationally, I can only advise you to educate yourself. It’s going to save you a lot of pain! Our online ABTS® International Trade Mastery Programme is taught with a series of pre-recorded videos so you can start any time, study at your own pace and there’s no deadline to complete.
Our courses teach you the practical knowledge you’ll need to know to trade successfully, confidently whilst maximising your profits. Taught by Alan Bracken, with 40+ years of commercial experience in logistics, he skips all the theory you’ll never need to know but teaches you the practical side of how to move your goods around the world.
Check out our reviews on TrustPilot to see just how our courses have benefited our students.