Over the past decade, Vietnam’s economy has developed rapidly, with annual increases in GDP per capita, reaching US$ 4,284 in 2023. In 2023, Vietnam’s economy quickly rebounded, growing by 5.8% to US$ 435 billion, making it the 35th largest globally. Its economic growth rate, higher than the global average of 2.6%, classifies it as a high-growth nation. Alongside the development of Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, the plastic industry has also demonstrated strong growth momentum.
Compared to long-established industries like machinery, electrical electronics, chemicals, and textiles, Vietnam’s plastic industry is relatively young but has shown robust growth momentum in recent years. Between 2010 and 2020, the plastic industry was among the fastest-growing sectors in Vietnam, with an annual growth rate of 16%-18%, trailing only telecommunications and textiles. According to CRI analysis, Vietnam is home to nearly 4,000 plastic companies, 90% of which are small and medium enterprises concentrated in the southern region. In 2022, Vietnam’s plastic industry’s total revenue exceeded US$ 25 billion, with exports accounting for 22%. Some plastic products saw annual growth rates close to 100%, indicating substantial market potential. Compared to the world stage, Vietnam’s plastic industry is just beginning.
In 2021-2022, Vietnam’s plastic industry experienced recovery growth, but it declined in 2023. In that year, Vietnam imported US$ 9.76 billion in plastic raw materials, with plastic product imports reaching US$ 7.51 billion. South Korea is one of Vietnam’s primary sources of plastic raw materials, with overall import volumes of PVC, PE, PP resin showing an upward trend from the South Korean market.
Regarding exports, Vietnam’s plastic raw materials and products have generally shown an upward trend over the past five years. According to CRI analysis, in 2023, Vietnam’s plastic raw materials exports amounted to US$ 2.17 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4% from 2019 to 2023. Plastic products exports reached US$ 5.18 billion, with a CAGR of 10.8% over the same period. The United States, Japan, and South Korea are the main destinations for Vietnam’s plastic products, with 2023 exports to the U.S. totaling US$ 2.16 billion, a 1.5% decrease from the previous year, accounting for about 42% of the plastic product export share.
The plastic industry significantly contributes to Vietnam’s economy, with applications across multiple sectors, including packaging, consumer goods, electronics, automotive, aviation, textiles, and agriculture. According to CRI analysis, with substantial investment increases from FDI enterprises and domestic companies, the production scale of Vietnam’s plastic industry continues to expand. There’s a noticeable trend toward producing green and environmentally friendly products, making Vietnam a significant production base for plastic products, fulfilling numerous large import market orders.
In 2023, Vietnam’s plastic product output exceeded 10 million tons. According to CRI, Vietnam’s plastic industry holds substantial potential for foreign investors. In recent years, there has been a significant wave of investment shifting from China to Vietnam within the plastic industry. Several factors drive this shift, including cheaper labor costs compared to China and various policy factors, including international trade barriers. Additionally, Vietnam has signed several major free trade agreements with key partners, creating more investment and export opportunities, attracting more foreign investors to the Vietnam plastic industry. Notably, investors from ASEAN countries like Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan have invested in and acquired shares in major Vietnamese plastic companies. According to CRI analysis, approximately 15% of Vietnamese plastic companies are foreign-owned.
CRI forecasts that the Vietnam market will become one of the fastest-growing plastic markets globally. For plastic raw material manufacturers, plastic product manufacturers, and distributors, the Vietnam market is becoming increasingly important.
Topics covered:
- Overview of Vietnam’s Plastic Industry
- Economic and Policy Environment of Vietnam’s Plastic Industry
- How Can Foreign Capital Enter the Vietnam Plastic Market?
- Market Size of Vietnam’s Plastic Industry from 2024 to 2033
- Analysis of Major Vietnamese Plastic Industry Production Enterprises
- Main Drivers and Market Opportunities of Vietnam’s Plastic Industry
- What are the main drivers, challenges, and opportunities for Vietnam’s plastic industry during the forecast period of 2024-2033?
- Who are the major players in the Vietnam plastic industry market, and what are their competitive advantages?
- What is the expected revenue of the Vietnam plastic industry market during the forecast period of 2024-2033?
- What strategies have the major players in the market adopted to increase their market share in the industry?
- Which segment of the Vietnam plastic industry market is expected to dominate the market by 2033?
- What are the main adverse factors facing the Vietnam plastic industry?