Bitumen Price in Vietnam Today
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen Price in Vietnam Today
Bitumen price in Vietnam today ranges from $485 to $535 per metric ton (FOB Haiphong/Ho Chi Minh City), depending on grade, packaging, and volume. The benchmark 60/70 penetration grade bulk price sits at approximately $505 per ton as of Q1 2025, while drummed 40/50 and polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) trade between $520 and $610 per ton. Spot prices have eased 4–6% compared to the same period last year, tracking softer Singapore and South Korea cargo assessments and a 3.2% quarter-on-quarter decline in regional import demand.
This guide breaks down current Vietnam bitumen pricing by grade, compares CIF versus FOB terms, outlines the key cost drivers, and gives importers a practical benchmark for procurement negotiations.
Vietnam Bitumen Price by Grade and Packaging
Prices below reflect FOB Haiphong / FOB Ho Chi Minh City terms for standard bulk and drummed cargoes, based on March 2025 market assessments. Importers buying CIF should add $18–$28 per ton for freight from Singapore, Thailand, or South Korea.
| Bitumen Grade | Packaging | Price (USD/MT) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration 60/70 | Bulk (tanker) | $500 – $515 | Road construction, base layers |
| Penetration 60/70 | New steel drum (150 kg) | $525 – $540 | Small projects, remote sites |
| Penetration 40/50 | Bulk / drum | $510 – $530 | Hot mix asphalt, heavy traffic |
| Penetration 80/100 | Bulk | $495 – $510 | Cold regions, tack coats |
| PMB (SBS-modified) | Bulk / IBC | $580 – $610 | Expressways, bridge decks |
| Cutback bitumen (MC-30, RC-250) | Drum | $540 – $575 | Prime coats, patching |
| Bitumen emulsion (CSS-1h) | Drum / IBC | $480 – $520 | Tack & fog seals |
Key takeaway: the spread between bulk and drummed product is roughly $20–$30 per ton, which matters significantly at 1,000+ ton order volumes. PMB commands a 15–20% premium over penetration grades.
FOB vs CIF: What Vietnamese Importers Actually Pay
Vietnam imports roughly 85–90% of its bitumen, primarily from Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. That makes freight, port handling, and import duties critical to landed cost.
| Cost Component | FOB (USD/MT) | CIF (USD/MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product price (60/70 bulk) | $500 – $515 | $520 – $535 | Base assessment |
| Ocean freight (Singapore→Haiphong) | — | $15 – $22 | 3–7 day transit |
| Import duty | — | 0% (ASEAN/ATIGA) | MFN rate up to 3% for non-ASEAN |
| VAT | — | 10% | Recoverable for registered importers |
| Port handling & storage | $3 – $6 | $8 – $12 | Haiphong terminal fees |
| Landed cost (approx.) | $503 – $521 | $543 – $569 | Excluding VAT recovery |
- ASEAN-origin cargo (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia) benefits from 0% import duty under ATIGA — a 2–3% saving versus non-ASEAN origins.
- 8,000–20,000 ton parcel sizes on dedicated bitumen tankers deliver the lowest per-ton freight.
- Vietnamese domestic refineries (Dung Quat, Nghi Son) supply only a small fraction of national bitumen demand, so import parity pricing dominates.
What Drives Bitumen Price in Vietnam Today
Five factors explain most of the week-to-week movement in Vietnamese bitumen prices:
1. Crude oil benchmarks (Brent/Dubai). Bitumen is a refinery bottom-of-barrel product. A $5/bbl move in Brent typically translates to a $12–$18/ton shift in Vietnamese bitumen assessments within 2–3 weeks.
2. Regional supply from Singapore and South Korea. Singapore is Vietnam's largest bitumen source. When Singapore refinery turnarounds reduce output by 10–15%, Vietnamese spot prices firm within days.
3. Import duty and VAT policy. ASEAN-origin cargo enjoys 0% duty; non-ASEAN origins pay up to 3% MFN. The 10% VAT is recoverable but affects cash flow.
4. Seasonal construction demand. Vietnam's road-building season peaks from November to April (dry season). Prices typically rise 3–5% during peak demand and soften 2–4% in the rainy months (May–October).
5. VND/USD exchange rate. A 1% VND depreciation adds roughly $5/ton to the local-currency cost of imported bitumen.
Vietnam vs Regional Bitumen Price Comparison
Vietnam is generally competitive within Southeast Asia but trades at a premium to the Middle East and slightly below Australia/New Zealand.
| Market | 60/70 Bulk (USD/MT) | vs Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam (FOB Haiphong) | $500 – $515 | Baseline |
| Singapore (FOB) | $490 – $505 | −$10 to −$15 |
| South Korea (FOB) | $495 – $510 | −$5 to −$10 |
| Thailand (FOB) | $505 – $520 | +$5 to +$10 |
| Indonesia (CIF) | $520 – $540 | +$20 to +$25 |
| Middle East (FOB) | $420 – $455 | −$60 to −$80 |
| Australia (CIF) | $640 – $690 | +$140 to +$175 |
Practical implication: sourcing from Singapore or South Korea typically delivers the best balance of price, freight, and delivery reliability for Vietnamese importers. Middle East cargo is cheaper FOB but requires 20–30 day transit and larger parcel commitments (usually 15,000–30,000 tons).
Bulk vs Drummed: Cost and Logistics Trade-off
| Factor | Bulk (Tanker) | Drummed (150 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Price per MT | $500 – $515 | $525 – $540 |
| Minimum order | 3,000 – 20,000 MT | 100 – 500 MT |
| Port infrastructure | Dedicated bitumen terminal | Standard container yard |
| Handling cost | $3 – $6/MT | $12 – $18/MT |
| Storage | Heated tanks required | Ambient storage |
| Best for | Large road projects, distributors | Small contractors, remote sites |
- Drummed bitumen adds $25–$35/ton in packaging and handling but removes the need for heated storage — often the deciding factor for contractors without tank infrastructure.
- Bulk delivery is the default for national highway programs, where annual volumes frequently exceed 50,000 tons.
Price Outlook: Next 30–90 Days
| Period | Forecast 60/70 Bulk (USD/MT) | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $495 – $520 | Stable to slightly soft |
| Q3 2025 | $490 – $515 | Softening (rainy season) |
| Q4 2025 | $505 – $530 | Firming (construction ramp-up) |
- Bearish factors: ample Singapore supply, softer Brent crude forecasts, slower-than-expected disbursement of public road budgets.
- Bullish factors: Q4 construction ramp-up, refinery maintenance in South Korea, VND depreciation risk.
- Base case: prices trade in a $490–$530 band through 2025, with ±3% monthly volatility.
FAQ: Bitumen Price in Vietnam Today
Q1: What is the current bitumen price in Vietnam per ton?
Bitumen in Vietnam today trades at $485–$535 per metric ton (FOB) depending on grade and packaging. The benchmark 60/70 penetration grade bulk price is approximately $505/ton, while PMB grades run $580–$610/ton.
Q2: Is bitumen cheaper in Vietnam than in Singapore?
No — Vietnam FOB prices are typically $10–$15/ton higher than Singapore FOB, reflecting Vietnam's role as a net importer rather than a producer. However, ASEAN-origin cargo from Singapore into Vietnam carries 0% import duty, which narrows the landed-cost gap.
Q3: What is the difference between FOB and CIF bitumen prices in Vietnam?
CIF Vietnam prices are roughly $20–$28/ton higher than FOB, covering ocean freight, insurance, and port delivery. For a 5,000-ton cargo, that difference equals $100,000–$140,000 — critical when comparing supplier quotes.
Q4: How much does bitumen price fluctuate in Vietnam each month?
Monthly volatility typically runs ±3–5%, driven by Brent crude movements, Singapore supply, and seasonal construction demand. A $5/bbl Brent swing usually produces a $12–$18/ton change within 2–3 weeks.
Q5: What is the cheapest way to buy bitumen in Vietnam?
The lowest per-ton cost comes from bulk cargoes of 8,000–20,000 tons sourced from Singapore or South Korea on ASEAN terms (0% duty), giving landed costs of $520–$545/ton CIF. Drummed product and small-lot purchases carry a $25–$35/ton premium.
Calculate Your Exact Bitumen Import Cost
Market prices tell only half the story — freight, duty, VAT, port handling, and inland transport can swing your landed cost by $50–$80 per ton. Before you lock in a supplier, run your numbers through the 6Tar cost calculator to model FOB vs CIF, compare ASEAN and non-ASEAN origins, and see your true delivered cost per ton in seconds. Precision beats guesswork on every 5,000-ton parcel.