The trade relationship between China and Vietnam has grown substantially in recent years. In the first seven months of 2025, Vietnam imported over USD 100 billion of goods from China. Chinese imports account for over 40% of Vietnam’s total imports, and Chinese goods now form a significant portion of many categories of imports.

The prevalence of Chinese products in Vietnam isn’t limited to one sector; it’s broad across industrial, intermediate, and consumer goods.

Automotive & EVs

In recent years, Chinese passenger car and EV brands aggressively entered Vietnam via imports and dealer networks (notably BYD, Chery and others). Beyond finished vehicles, parts and battery components are increasingly imported. Notably, Chery announced an $800M EV factory JV in Vietnam (Thai Binh) with a planned capacity of 200,000 vehicles/year,  marking a step toward local production rather than pure imports.

Geleximco and Omoda & Jaecoo (Cherry Auto) signed a JV agreement on 4 April 2024 (Source: VIR)

Electronics

Many household electrical items and smartphones are from China, occupying substantial shares of the low and mid segments. Some of the notable brands are:

  • Smartphone: Oppo, Xiaomi, Vivo, Realme, Huawei
  • Appliances: Midea, Haier, TCL, Gree, Xiaomi, and many other smaller OEMs for kettles, rice cookers, fans, vacuums

These brands reach Vietnamese consumers through official local subsidiaries or distributors and large retail chains. Several Chinese firms also operate local manufacturing/assembly plants in Vietnam, such as:

  • AQUA (part of Haier Group) established manufacturing capacity in Bien Hoa 2 IP, making refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, freezers, TVs, and other household appliances.
  • Midea has a factory in Vietnam, making rice cookers, fans, induction cookers, heaters, and other household appliances.
  • TCL has a factory in Vietnam that manufactures televisions, household electrical appliances, etc.

Fashion

Besides importing a large volume of textile inputs (fabrics, yarns) from China for garment production, Vietnam is a significant market for Chinese fashion products. Many low-cost clothes in Vietnam are unbranded batches or imported via trading houses. E-commerce platforms such as Shopee and TikTok also help facilitate direct purchases of Vietnamese consumers from Chinese suppliers, bypassing local wholesalers and retailers.

Some major China-based ports and lifestyle brands have established a presence in Vietnam with brand stores or local distribution, such as:

  • Li-Ning: Official Vietnam presence, shop network, and brand stores. Li-Ning targets mass-market and aspirational sportswear customers.
  • Anta: Has a Vietnam site / local distribution and sells through retail locations and online.
  • 361°: Sportswear brand active in Vietnam with local online storefronts and retail presence.

Beauty & Cosmetics

While dominant imports in this category are from Korea, Japan, Europe, etc., Chinese domestic beauty brands are growing rapidly in Vietnam. The top Chinese brands in Vietnam are Focallure, Colorkey, Judydoll, and Perfect Diary. These brands are often positioned at the value/affordable end: trending packaging, influencer-driven, targeted at younger consumers rather than premium skincare segments.

Chinese brands are increasingly prominent across many consumer and retail categories in Vietnam, from smartphones and household appliances to F&B chains, fashion, cosmetics, and lifestyle goods. From the previously parallel or “grey” cross-border trader, more and more Chinese brands are entering Vietnam through official and legitimate distribution routes. While many Chinese brands are still building their brand reputation in Vietnam due to the long-term perception of Chinese products being “value/price” rather than “premium/quality”, consumers are slowly improving their perception of Chinese product quality, and some brands are moving into higher tiers. Accordingly, local Vietnamese producers and other international brands are facing mounting competition in many segments.