Outbound shipments surged to US$50.4 billion between April 1 and 20, up 49.4 percent from a year earlier, the highest level ever recorded for the period and surpassing the previous record of $36.4 billion in 2022.
Imports also increased 17.7 percent during the same period to $39.9 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $10.4 billion.
The surge was largely attributed to exports of semiconductor chips, with shipments soaring 182.5 percent to $18.3 billion. Exports of computers and related equipment rose even more sharply, jumping nearly 400 percent to $2.2 billion. Exports of petroleum-related goods also increased 48.4 percent to $3.2 billion.
However, not all industries performed well, as exports of automobiles fell 14.1 percent to $3.1 billion and auto parts dropped 8.8 percent to $1.1 billion.
Overseas shipments increased overall, with Viet Nam up 79.2 percent, followed by Taiwan (77.1 percent), China (70.9 percent), the U.S. (51.7 percent), and the European Union (10.5 percent).
Imports of crude oil rose 13.1 percent to $4.8 billion, marking a third consecutive monthly increase after $4.3 billion in January, $4.4 billion in February, and $4.6 billion in March, reflecting rising global oil prices due to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
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