Vietnam’s 10-Month Trade: Bắc Ninh Leads with More Than $205 Billion
In the first 10 months of 2026, Bắc Ninh’s imports and exports exceeded $205 billion, ahead of Ho Chi Minh City at $176.4 billion and Phú Thọ at $142.69 billion. Bắc Ninh’s exports rose more than 33% year on year, though a local official said they remain concentrated in electronics produced by foreign-invested firms.
Figures released by Vietnam’s Foreign Investment Agency for the first 10 months of 2026 show that Bắc Ninh led all localities with total imports and exports exceeding $205 billion. Ho Chi Minh City recorded $176.4 billion and Phú Thọ $142.69 billion. Hải Phòng recorded $84 billion, Ninh Bình $58.7 billion and Thái Nguyên $56.8 billion.
Bắc Ninh attracts foreign direct investment.（VietVance）
Over the same period, Bắc Ninh’s exports exceeded $102 billion, up more than 33% year on year. Exports from Ho Chi Minh City, Phú Thọ and Hải Phòng reached nearly $84.5 billion, $66.6 billion and $43.96 billion, respectively. Trade balances varied considerably: Hà Nội recorded a $35.1 billion deficit, Phú Thọ a $9.43 billion deficit and Ho Chi Minh City a $7.51 billion deficit, while Thái Nguyên and Đồng Nai posted surpluses of $9.66 billion and $9.03 billion, respectively.
Nguyễn Thế Thi, deputy director of Bắc Ninh’s Department of Industry and Trade, said local exports are concentrated mainly in electronics produced by foreign-invested companies. Domestic firms have limited involvement in high-value-added activities, brand building and international market development. Because electronic components and raw materials come from multiple countries, companies must also meet the specific rules of the relevant free trade agreements when proving the origin of their products.
Phạm Văn Thịnh, vice chairman of the Bắc Ninh City People’s Committee, said earlier at an industry forum that the city’s gross regional domestic product grew 11.81% in the first nine months of 2026 and that its industrial output value ranked second nationwide. Investment in new technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors was estimated at more than $4 billion. He also said slow progress on infrastructure and expressway connections was affecting the city’s ability to attract investment, and recommended accelerating transport infrastructure and construction of Gia Bình International Airport.
Source: VietVance
