Plastic waste exports in Vietnam
Vietnam: Plastic waste exports was 49,508 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Vietnam, 2000–2023
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for plastic waste exports in Vietnam is 49,508 tonnes, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 89.4% on the previous year and down 77.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Vietnam peaked at 302,158 tonnes in 2017 and was at its lowest, 1,054 tonnes, in 2003.
Vietnam ranks 17th of 167 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11,094 tonnes | 1,054 tonnes | 19,342 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 168,534 tonnes | 39,760 tonnes | 302,158 tonnes | 9 |
| 2020s | 37,609 tonnes | 26,143 tonnes | 49,508 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Vietnam
More environment data for Vietnam
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 584.26 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 5.79 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 74.18 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 0.7597 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 23.41 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.4864 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 116.47 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.1031 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.2575 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 17.28 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Vietnam?
- Plastic waste exports in Vietnam was 49,508 tonnes in 2023, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Vietnam?
- The highest recorded value was 302,158 tonnes in 2017.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Vietnam?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,054 tonnes in 2003.
- How does Vietnam rank for plastic waste exports?
- Vietnam ranks 17th out of 167 countries with data for 2023.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Vietnam?
- Over the last ten years it is down 77.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Vietnam data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.