Total trade turnover this year stood at $523 billion as of October 15, the Government News quoted the General Department of Vietnam Customs as reporting on October 21.

The country earned revenue of $14.2 billion from exports in the first half of October, bringing total turnover between January and October 15 to $272.74 billion, a year-on-year decline of over $24 billion.

Among exports, phones and components took the lead with $41.47 billion in turnover, followed by computers, electronic products, and components, machinery and equipment, tools, and spare parts, and garments and textiles.

Of note, fruit and vegetable exports recorded the most impressive growth among key commodity groups, with turnover of $4.56 billion, up 75.4 per cent against the same period last year.

Meanwhile, import value totaled $250.2 billion in the January - October 15 period, a year-on-year decline of nearly $40 billion.

The country has therefore posted a trade surplus of $22.54 billion so far this year.