This growth reflects enhanced trade relations, with Vietnamese enterprises ramping up purchases of raw materials, agricultural products, and high-tech goods from the US to meet rising domestic and export-oriented production demand.

Cotton remained a key import, with Vietnam buying 455,000 tonnes worth US$800 million, marking a 116% increase in volume and 79% in value year on year. The US now supplies 48% of Vietnam’s total cotton imports, making the Southeast Asian nation the third largest importer of US cotton, following China and Pakistan.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects continued strong growth in cotton exports to Vietnam, driven by record demand, the recovery of the global textile industry, and increasing foreign direct investment in the sector.

Similarly, wood material imports from the US surged 52%, making the country Vietnam’s second largest wood supplier. The spike followed a tariff reduction to 0% in April 2025, enhancing the competitiveness of US timber products in the Vietnamese market.

Vietnam also increased imports of soybeans from the US by 10%, giving the US a commanding 48% market share, significantly ahead of Brazil. Wheat imports from the US rose 26%, outpacing other key suppliers such as Australia and Brazil.

Meanwhile, US fruits and food products continue to gain traction among Vietnamese consumers. In the first five months, fruit imports from the US totaled nearly US$297 million, up 43% year on year. Popular varieties such as apples, oranges, cherries, and blueberries are now widely available at competitive prices.

This contributed to a rise in the US share of Vietnam’s fruit import market from 20% to 25%, second only to China. Vietnam also recorded a US$35 million trade deficit in fruit and vegetable imports from the US, underlining strong local demand for high-quality American produce.

“Good quality and increasingly competitive prices are helping US fruits and agricultural products expand their market share in Vietnam,” said Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT). “Vietnamese consumers have long favored American goods, and this trend is expected to continue.”

In addition to agricultural products, Vietnamese enterprises have significantly increased imports of computers, electronic components, auto parts, and vehicles from the US. This shift reflects a growing demand for high-value, high-tech inputs to support domestic manufacturing and industrial modernisation.

According to Professor Vo Xuan Vinh, director of the Institute of Business Research at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, this trend is helping Vietnamese manufacturers improve product quality and production efficiency.

“If Vietnamese firms can effectively adopt and integrate advanced U.S. technologies, they will be better positioned to upgrade production processes, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness,” he noted.
“These activities not only offer short-term business benefits but also support a more balanced and sustainable bilateral trade relationship between Vietnam and the United States.”

Sharing the view, economic expert Dr. Le Dang Doanh stated that the surge in imports signals Vietnam’s goodwill and commitment to deepening cooperation with the US on the basis of shared interests and mutual benefit.

“The impressive trade figures highlight the enormous potential for further economic collaboration between the two countries,” he said. “High-quality US equipment, technology, and consumer goods will encourage Vietnamese businesses to modernise, build capacity, and boost their competitiveness across various sectors.”

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