In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam's import and export sector has displayed remarkable growth, leading to a 16.5 percent boost in customs revenue, despite global economic hurdles. The Customs Department reports that the nation's total turnover for imports and exports reached 345.68 billion dollars from January to April this year.

These figures indicate a significant 24.7 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in 2025. Export revenues amounted to 169.02 billion dollars, in contrast to imports which totaled 176.66 billion dollars. Additionally, taxable turnover surged to 61 billion dollars, notably contributing to state revenue collections.

By the close of April 2026, Vietnam's customs sector gathered over 166.3 trillion Vietnamese dong in government revenue, nearing 37 percent of its annual target—reflecting a year-on-year growth of 16.5 percent. This increase is attributed to the uptick in imports tied to production needs and public investments throughout Vietnam.

The Customs and Tax Operations Department revealed a significant shift in the import structure towards more sustainable sectors. Notably, imports of machinery, electronic components, and materials surged, totaling approximately 30.8 billion dollars—over half of the nation's taxable import figures.

There was also a remarkable rise in completely built automobiles, with more than 72,600 vehicles worth around 1.8 billion dollars entering the nation in the initial four months. While the number of vehicles imported increased modestly, the value saw a sharp rise, bolstering state revenue.

Authorities noted that accelerated disbursement of public funds spurred demand for imported industrial equipment for infrastructure projects. Simultaneously, imports of gemstones, precious metals, and petroleum products showed significant growth, enhancing customs revenue further.

Despite these positive developments, officials express concerns over potential risks impacting future revenue collections. Decreased crude oil imports and tax cuts on gasoline and aviation fuel may significantly diminish customs revenue for the remainder of 2026, with tax reductions projected to cut revenue by up to 11 trillion Vietnamese dong.

Trade protection measures in the global market pose additional challenges for Vietnam's trade sector. New tariffs on hot-rolled steel from China and retaliatory measures from the U.S. could negatively influence both import demand and export performance in critical industries.

To meet revenue objectives, Vietnam's customs authorities are incorporating advanced artificial intelligence and digital technologies for improved tax monitoring and fraud prevention. They are also enhancing electronic clearance systems and collaborating closely with banks to streamline processing and revenue management.

Moving forward, authorities emphasized their commitment to focus on debt recovery, tax supervision, and global market risk forecasting to maintain steady revenue collection amidst economic and geopolitical fluctuations.