Import-export value exceeds US$200 billion

Of that figure, exports saw a rise of 16.6% to an estimated value of US$103.79 billion, while imports swelled by 9.8% to US$100.93 billion.

Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of US$27 million during the first half of this month, bringing the total trade surplus over the first five and a half months of 2018 to US$2.86 billion.

In the first half of this month alone, the total national trade value reached US$18.98 billion, down 12.7% compared to the second half of May, with exports dropping 14.4% to US$9.51 billion and imports falling 10.8% to US$9.48 billion.

Compared to the second half of May, exports of some products in the first half of this month suffered a decline, such as telephones and components (down 16.5%), machines, equipment and other tools (down 27.9%), means of transport (down 29%) and footwear (down 12.7%).

On the opposite site, imports of some products saw a similar drop off with machines, equipment and tools down 6.5%, and pharmaceuticals down 46.6%.