Vietnam-South Korea Trade and Investment: A 2025 Perspective

Samsung is at the forefront, investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) and research and development (R&D). By June 2025, the company reached the milestone of producing two billion smartphones. Furthermore, it is expanding research centers dedicated to 5G and AI technologies, showcasing its commitment to innovation in the region.

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SK Group is making strides in green energy and sustainability, introducing cross-border projects involving natural gas for green hydrogen production and plans to store CO2 in depleted gas fields. Their strategy includes proposing three LNG power projects in Vietnam, amounting to an impressive US$10 billion investment.

The table below offers a detailed breakdown of significant investments by Korean enterprises in Vietnam across various sectors, particularly focusing on electronics, semiconductors, clean energy, and research and development (R&D).

Vietnam-South Korea Trade in H1 2025

The trade dynamics between Vietnam and South Korea in 2025 highlight a notable shift towards high-tech and automotive industries. Demand for electronics and machinery is surging in both export and import categories.

Exports

South Korea remains a vital export market for Vietnam, with the top five export categories in 2025 being:

• Computers and components (42.73 percent);
• Telephones and accessories (18.59 percent);
• Machinery and equipment (15.51 percent);
• Textiles and garments (13.86 percent);
• Vehicles and spare parts (9.31 percent).

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In the first half of 2025, high-tech and automotive products emerged as the primary growth drivers. Vehicle and spare parts exports surged to US$898 million, notably exceeding the entire 2024 total of US$810 million. Similarly, telephones and accessories expanded to US$1.793 billion, demonstrating significant increases in May and June. The most impressive performance came from computers and components, which nearly doubled from US$2.580 billion in 2024 to US$4.121 billion in 2025, commanding over 40 percent of total exports.

Conversely, machinery and equipment experienced a slight dip, falling to US$1.496 billion in 2025 from US$1.598 billion in 2024. Textiles and garments also registered a marginal decrease of 1.33 percent year-on-year, totaling US$1.337 billion compared to US$1.355 billion in the previous year.

This data signifies a restructuring of Vietnam’s exports to South Korea, with rapid expansion in high-tech and automotive categories reshaping the trade landscape.

Imports

In 2025, Vietnam’s imports from South Korea were primarily concentrated in five main product groups:

• Computers, electronic products, and components, accounting for a remarkable 77.84 percent of the total;
• Machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts at 10.30 percent;
• Plastic raw materials represented 4.80 percent;
• Petroleum products at 3.80 percent;
• Plastic products at 3.27 percent.

High-tech categories continued to dominate the trade structure, with imports of computers, electronic products, and components increasing from US$14.777 billion in 2024 to US$17.454 billion in 2025. Significant peaks were noted in March and May, leading to nearly four-fifths of total imports.

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In contrast, traditional categories weakened, with imports of plastic raw materials declining to US$1.076 billion from US$1.122 billion in 2024. Similarly, plastic products experienced a drop from US$781 million to US$733 million. Machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts slipped slightly to US$2.309 billion while petroleum products experienced the sharpest decline, dropping from US$1.333 billion to US$852 million.

This trend clearly indicates a shift in Vietnam’s import profile from South Korea, as advanced electronics and machinery take the lead, while demand for plastics and petroleum products continues to wane.

Economic Impacts and Opportunities

The cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea yields mutual benefits. For Vietnam, the influx of South Korean FDI solidifies its role within global supply chains while advancing industrial upgrades in high-tech, green, and digital sectors. For South Korea, Vietnam represents a dynamic market, characterized by cost advantages and dependable partners for diversifying supply chains.

This collaboration fosters technology transfer, amplifies exports, and uncovers opportunities in green energy, digital transformation, and R&D, driving shared sustainable growth objectives for the period spanning 2025 to 2030.