Trade surplus headed for record level

Exports grew by 5.4 percent to $254.6 billion and imports by 1.5 percent to $234.5 billion, according to the General Statistics Office.

Both heavy industry and light industry products saw increases, with double-digit rises for computers-electronics and machinery-equipment. But exports of forestry, agriculture and aquaculture products declined.

Exports to the EU, Southeast Asia, South Korea, and Japan decreased by 3-10 percent. But exports to the U.S., which remained Vietnam’s largest customer, rose 25.7 percent to $70 billion, and to China by 16 percent to $43 billion.

China was the largest seller to Vietnam, with imports from that country rising by 8 percent to $73.9 billion. Imports from the E.U. rose by 4 percent, while purchases from South Korea, ASEAN, Japan, and the U.S. fell.

Imports of computer-electronics, smartphones and smartphone parts, plastic products, and chemicals rose, while those of textile-garments, iron and steel, cars, and base metals fell.

Vietnam has been achieving a trade surplus for the last four years, including a record $9.9 billion in 2019.