According to the Department of Customs, Vietnam imported 205,630 vehicles of all types last year, with a total import value of US$4.7 billion. Passenger cars with fewer than nine seats accounted for 152,854 units, worth approximately US$2.8 billion.

Indonesia remained Vietnam’s largest source of imported vehicles, shipping 78,156 units valued at about US$1.1 billion, followed by Thailand with 66,109 units worth US$1.3 billion.

China ranked third by volume, exporting 47,895 vehicles to Vietnam, a 54.5% increase from the previous year. In value terms, imports from China surged 76% year on year to US$1.6 billion, reflecting the entry of several Chinese automakers offering higher-priced electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.

Analysts say the shift underscores Vietnamese consumers’ growing openness to electric and new-energy vehicles, marking a notable change in a market traditionally dominated by internal combustion engine models.

While Indonesia and Thailand continue to benefit from tariff advantages under ASEAN trade agreements, the sharp rise in the value of Chinese vehicle imports signals intensifying competition in Vietnam’s auto market heading into 2026.

Toyota Vietnam posts 58% hybrid car sales gain in 2025 on high demand

Toyota Motor Vietnam sold 1,082 hybrid vehicles in December 2025, pushing full-year hybrid deliveries to 8,474 units, a 58% increase from 2024, signaling growing preference among Vietnamese buyers for fuel-efficient models that maintain practical performance.