Paints, plastics, rubber, paper, electronics, automotive and agriculture all start with chemicals. This is why the Vietnam chemical industry is a foundation for the country’s wider manufacturing base. As the economy expands and foreign capital flows into production, the Vietnam chemical market is becoming a priority destination for suppliers across Asia and beyond.
This article reviews the market picture, the main growth drivers and the opportunities for 2027–2030. It is also the context for the return of ChemExpo Vietnam 2027 to SECC, Ho Chi Minh City.
Figure 1: Overview of the ChemExpo Vietnam 2026 exhibition floor at SECC. Source: ChemExpo Vietnam organizer
Global Chemical Market Overview
Market size. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global chemical industry is projected to grow from USD 6,182 billion in 2024 to USD 6,324 billion in 2025, an increase of 2.3%. Other research houses define the scope differently, so absolute figures vary widely. The overall trend is slow but steady growth.
Growth is slowing, but Asia leads. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) expects global chemical output to grow 2.6% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. BASF notes that China accounts for about half of world chemical production, that emerging markets should grow around 3.6% in 2026, and that mature economies will keep declining. Deloitte adds that overcapacity in basic chemicals continues to pressure margins.
Supply chains are shifting. Producers are diversifying sourcing and sales markets, looking for destinations with growing domestic demand and strong downstream manufacturing. Vietnam fits this profile as its industrial base expands.
A move toward specialty chemicals. Some reports estimate the global specialty chemicals market could rise from USD 641.5 billion in 2023 to USD 914.4 billion by 2030. MarketsandMarkets also identifies the shift to specialty products and green chemistry as key growth drivers. Industrial chemicals, petrochemicals and specialty chemicals all have stable demand, but the highest added value sits in specialty grades.
How Is the Vietnam Chemical Market Growing?
No single official source converts the size of the Vietnam chemical market into USD on a consistent basis. Indicators published by the Ministry of Industry and Trade show the scale of the sector:
- About 2,000 enterprises operate in chemicals, and the sector’s gross output accounts for roughly 13–14% of total industrial output. (Ministry of Industry and Trade)
- From 2022 to 2025 the sector attracted 27 notable projects with combined capital of nearly VND 100 trillion, spanning technical rubber, batteries, basic chemicals, petrochemicals, industrial gases and high-quality fertilizers. (Ministry of Industry and Trade)
- Industry reports put recent annual growth at around 10–11% (estimate, per industry reports).
- Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) reported 2025 consolidated revenue of VND 64,363 billion, up 8% year on year and 113% of its annual plan.
Segments attracting the most attention include basic chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical chemicals, high-quality fertilizers, industrial gases, battery chemicals and advanced materials. The exhibitor mix at ChemExpo Vietnam 2026 mirrors this picture: industrial and basic chemicals made up 30%, equipment and manufacturing solutions 22%, specialty chemicals and additives 19%, and water treatment and disinfection 15%.
Figure 2: ChemExpo Vietnam 2026 exhibitors by product category. Source: ChemExpo Vietnam 2026 Post-Show Report
What Is Driving the Vietnam Chemical Industry?
A fast-growing economy. Vietnam’s GDP grew 8.02% in 2025 to an estimated USD 514 billion. Manufacturing and processing rose 9.97% over the year, the highest rate between 2019 and 2025. As production expands, demand for raw materials, additives and industrial chemicals rises with it.
Foreign direct investment. In 2025, registered FDI reached USD 38.42 billion and disbursed FDI an estimated USD 27.62 billion, the highest in five years. Manufacturing and processing took 82.8% of disbursements. New capital is concentrated in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and electronics. Each new plant creates demand for high-purity chemicals, industrial gases, solvents, coatings and water treatment.
Industrialization and end-use sectors. Electronics, automotive, construction and infrastructure, packaging and high-tech agriculture are all heavy chemical users. Electronics need high-purity chemicals and coating materials, automotive needs paints, plastics and technical rubber, and agriculture needs fertilizers and crop protection. (Author’s analysis; sector-specific chemical demand figures are not yet available.)
Policy. Vietnam’s 2025 Law on Chemicals (69/2025/QH15) names priority industrial fields for the first time, including basic chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical chemicals, high-quality fertilizers, hydrogen, green ammonia and specialized chemical industrial parks. This sends a clear signal to investors and suppliers, and also introduces new compliance requirements for chemical management.
Opportunities for Chemical Companies in 2027–2030
1. The green transition. Green chemistry, hydrogen and green ammonia, recycled feedstocks and low-emission production are priorities in both policy and global supply chains. Suppliers offering green solutions have an edge as Vietnamese manufacturers face pressure from international customers.
2. Specialty chemicals. Additives, water treatment chemicals, materials for electronics and batteries, and premium coating chemicals offer better margins than basic chemicals. Local producers still depend heavily on imports in these categories, leaving room for international suppliers.
3. ASEAN supply chains. With a favorable location, a broad network of trade agreements and port infrastructure, Vietnam can serve as a distribution gateway to the region. Many companies see Vietnam both as a consumption market and as a base for serving Southeast Asia.
4. Digital transformation. Automated filling, weighing and warehouse management systems, and EH&S and safety data sheet (SDS) compliance software are becoming practical needs. The 2026 ChemExpo exhibitor list already included providers of automatic filling lines, mixing, milling and dispersing equipment, and chemical compliance software.
ChemExpo Vietnam 2027: The Meeting Point of the Chemical Industry
ChemExpo Vietnam is an international trade chemical exhibition in Vietnam, showcasing chemicals, laboratory technologies, processing equipment and environmental solutions. The 2027 edition takes place on 23–25 June 2027 at SECC, Ho Chi Minh City.
From the 2026 baseline to 2027 targets. The 2026 edition (10–12 June 2026) recorded:
On quality, 90% of exhibitors were satisfied and 86% said they plan to return in 2027. The 2026 visitor profile was also practical: 46% were manufacturers, 27% were distributors and trading companies, and 10% were R&D and technical professionals.
| Indicator | 2026 (actual) | 2027 (target) |
| Exhibitors | 120+ | 300+ |
| Countries and territories | 17 | 18+ |
| Trade visitors | 4,919 | 8,000+ |
| B2B meetings | 2,000+ | 2,000+ |
Figure 3: B2B meetings at ChemExpo Vietnam 2026. Source: Organizer
Product sectors on show. Industrial and basic chemicals, specialty chemicals and additives, resins, coatings and paint materials, water treatment and disinfection, industrial and specialty gases, production equipment, filling systems, pumps and valves, and environmental solutions.
One visit, many industries. ChemExpo runs alongside Coatings, Paper, Rubber & Tyre, Plastech and Grindtech Vietnam. Exhibitors can therefore reach buyers from several chemical-consuming industries in a single trip.
Business matching and knowledge program.
- The Business Matching Lounge and VIP Buyer Program help arrange B2B meetings in advance.
- The 2026 seminar series covered pharmaceutical chemistry, guidance on the 2025 Law on Chemicals and its implementing regulations, and sustainable development of the chemical industry.
- A Green Chemistry & Advanced Solutions Zone and a Sustainability & ESG Advisory Hub.
Benefits of exhibiting.
- Meet manufacturers, distributors and importers directly in a growing market.
- Test market demand and survey competitors on the spot.
- Find agents and distribution partners for Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
- Stay current on regulation and technology through the seminar program.
A 2026 exhibitor, Bleach Petrochemicals (India), described Vietnam as a promising market for Indian suppliers and said it was impressed by the quality of visitors.
Conclusion
With strong GDP growth, record disbursed FDI in manufacturing, a new legal framework and rising demand for specialty chemicals, the Vietnam chemical market offers significant opportunities for 2027–2030. Companies that establish a presence early, understand local needs and build distribution relationships will hold a long-term advantage.
Book your booth at ChemExpo Vietnam 2027 today to connect with leading companies, buyers and experts in the chemical industry in Vietnam and the region.
23–25 June 2027 | SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | www.chemexpo-vietnam.com
Sources
- MarketsandMarkets, Global Chemical Industry Outlook 2025
- BASF Report 2025, Outlook for the Chemical Industry
- SunSirs (citing ACC data), 22 Jan 2026
- Society of Chemical Industry, Chemistry in 2026
- Elchemy, Chemical Industry Outlook 2025
- VnExpress, 2025 GDP
- Mekong ASEAN, 2025 FDI
- Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Vinachem results, Nông nghiệp và Môi trường
- ChemExpo Vietnam 2026 Post-Show Report (organizer)
