Hot-rolled coil (HRC) was the primary growth driver in Vietnam's steel sector during the first six months of 2026. HRC output rose by 41.9% to 5.4 million tons, sales increased by 36.8% to 5.3 million tons, and exports jumped by 62.2% to 758,000 tons. Construction steel also rose, climbing by 19.3% in production to 7.7 million tons and by 15.1% in sales to 7.6 million tons.

Overall industry performance recorded double-digit gains, according to Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) data. Crude steel production reached 15.18 million tons, up by 26.9%, and total crude sales reached 14.8 million tons, rising by 25.5%, including 1.696 million tons exported.

Finished steel output rose by 15.1% to 18.2 million tons, and sales reached 17.95 million tons, an increase of 14.2%. Most segments grew, except coated and cold-rolled steel, which both dropped.