Vietnam imported 168,033 completely built-up (CBU) vehicles in the first eight months of 2026, with total import value reaching USD 3.9 billion, according to the latest data from the General Department of Customs.
The figures represent year-on-year increases of 22 per cent in volume and 29.5 per cent in value.
Indonesia, Thailand and China remained the country's three largest vehicle suppliers, accounting for 159,112 units, or nearly 95 per cent of total automobile imports during the period.
Indonesia ranked first with 70,366 vehicles worth USD 1.01 billion, followed by Thailand with 44,411 vehicles valued at more than USD 922 million. China was a close third, supplying 44,335 vehicles with a total import value exceeding USD 1.56 billion.
On average, imported vehicles from Indonesia were valued at around USD 14,400 each, compared with approximately USD 20,800 for vehicles from Thailand. Chinese imports carried the highest average value at about USD 35,300 per vehicle, excluding taxes.
Customs data show that vehicle imports from China have grown significantly in recent years. Vietnam imported 17,333 vehicles from China in 2022, worth USD 714.6 million.
The figure fell to 11,002 units valued at USD 394.2 million in 2023 before rebounding to 31,112 vehicles worth more than USD 909 million in 2024.
Imports continued to rise in 2025, reaching 47,895 vehicles with a total value of USD 1.6 billion.
With 44,335 vehicles imported in just the first eight months of 2026, the volume has already approached the full-year total recorded in 2025. The import value of more than USD 1.56 billion also indicates that demand for Chinese-made vehicles remains strong.
The increase has coincided with the expanding presence of Chinese automotive brands in Vietnam. Several manufacturers have entered the market or strengthened their distribution networks, including BYD, Chery, Geely, GAC, Haval, Omoda and Jaecoo.