The Vietnam market for Indian fresh onion
Malaysia (8.31% of fresh-vegetable exports) and Singapore buy red onions and Bangalore Rose; Singapore requires SFA import permits.
Indian community in Vietnam (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,700 NRIs.
Fresh Onion specification for Vietnam orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Bulb size | 25-40 mm, 40-55 mm, 55 mm+ (typical) |
| Skin | Dry, well-cured, 2-3 outer skins (typical) |
| Defects | No sprouting, rot or black mould; doubles/splits ≤ 2-3% (typical) |
| Transit | Ventilated container or reefer at 0-2 °C for long routes (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping fresh onion to Vietnam
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Ho Chi Minh City: 11-16 days. Via Singapore/Port Klang
Supply window: Indian fresh onion is mainly produced or harvested Harvest Jan-Apr; cold-storage stock traded year-round (ASSUMPTION); Rabi (storable) Mar-May; kharif Oct-Dec; late-kharif Jan-Feb (ASSUMPTION). Allow 11-16 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Vietnam customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 13-14 MT, 40' HC about 28-29 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF; CIF Ho Chi Minh City is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Vietnam
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | Cat Lai (Saigon Port); Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port (Ba Ria-Vung Tau, now merged into H | Indian restaurants/HORECA, garment & textile input importers (cotton/yarn/fabric), pharma/API |
| Hanoi | Haiphong (Lach Huyen / Dinh Vu), ~120 km · Noi Bai International (HAN) | Indian HORECA, electronics & engineering inputs, pharma/API |
| Da Nang | Tien Sa Port (Da Nang); Lien Chieu port under development · Da Nang International (DAD) | HORECA & hospitality suppliers, IT/electronics, seafood processing equipment |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Vietnam take?
Typically 11-16 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Ho Chi Minh City, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Vietnam have a trade agreement with India?
ASEAN–India AITIGA 2010 (review ongoing); no bilateral FTA [S7] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to fresh onion from India?
Usually HS 070310. Vietnam applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Can onions be exported from India now?
The 20% export duty was withdrawn from 1 April 2025 and no later restriction was found in our check, but onion policy changes often - we confirm the DGFT/CBIC position before each contract.
Which size grades are available?
Typically 25-40 mm, 40-55 mm and 55 mm+ bulb diameter.
What is Bangalore Rose onion?
A small, pungent onion variety from Karnataka exported mainly to South-East Asia.
Related guides
Request a quote: fresh onion to Vietnam
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Vietnam. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.