At the same time, a wide range of Vietnamese products has entered distribution and retail systems across many Chinese provinces and cities, where they are increasingly favoured by local consumers.

Speaking to the media  in Beijing on the sidelines of the Spring Fair 2026 recently held in Hanoi, Nong Duc Lai, Trade Counsellor of Vietnam in China, said China has made strong advances in recent years, emerging as one of the world’s leading countries in technological innovation.

He noted that Chinese high-tech consumer products now span a broad spectrum, from smart electronics, household appliances and intelligent home furnishings to smartphones, health-monitoring devices and wireless audio equipment. Products serving manufacturing and services, such as robots, drones, electric vehicles and electric motorbikes, are also expanding rapidly, alongside digital solutions and electronic payment technologies, which are seen as key strengths of China.

Alongside product diversity, these goods are competitive in terms of features and pricing, matching the purchasing power and preferences of Vietnamese consumers.

As a result, most Chinese high-tech products are now widely available in Vietnam, opening up cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese firms in distribution, installation, technical services, application development and investment in local manufacturing, as well as participation in regional supply chains.

In the opposite direction, Nong Duc Lai said many high-quality Vietnamese products are gaining acceptance among consumers in China. He noted that Vietnam has made effective use of the Chinese market in recent years, with export volumes rising steadily and the product mix shifting in a positive direction from raw and semi-processed goods towards more processed products with higher added value. Market access has also expanded beyond border areas into China’s inland provinces, particularly in the north and central regions.

Vietnamese products now present in Chinese retail and distribution systems include agricultural and aquatic products and processed foods such as tropical fruits, seafood and a variety of processed agricultural goods. In addition, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, especially those derived from herbal ingredients, are attracting interest for their perceived safety and effectiveness.

According to Nong Duc Lai, gaining the trust of local consumers depends primarily on product quality, supported by sustained market promotion efforts by enterprises and trade-promotion activities by relevant agencies. Free trade agreements have helped reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, while Vietnam also benefits from its proximity to China in terms of transport time, logistics costs and market access.

However, he cautioned that Vietnamese goods continue to face challenges in China, particularly as product standards and regulatory requirements become more stringent. Agricultural, aquatic and food products must comply with increasingly strict rules on food safety, inspection, packaging and traceability. Other constraints include limited brand recognition, difficulties accessing major retail networks, and competition from both domestic Chinese products and exports from other countries.

To support Vietnamese enterprises in making more effective inroads into the Chinese market,  Lai said the Trade Office, in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in China, will step up a range of measures.

These include targeted trade-promotion programmes and participation in specialised import exhibitions supported by the Chinese Government, expanded outreach in northern and western regions of China, enhanced market research and information sharing, and stronger investment promotion to encourage Chinese investment in Vietnam while facilitating Vietnamese firms’ business activities in China.

China’s Youyi Guan border gate accelerates customs clearance ahead of Tet

In the run-up to the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, customs clearance at China’s Youyi Guan border gate in Guangxi province, adjacent to Vietnam’s Huu Nghi international border gate in Lang Son province, has sped up as cross-border traffic surges.