Statistics newly released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs show that exports brought home US$21.9 billion in May alone, up 7.2 per cent against the previous month.

Three categories saw their five-month export turnover hit at least US$10 billion. The export of telephones and components edged by 2.2 per cent on year to reach US$19.7 billion following consecutive drops in the previous months.

The overseas shipments of machinery, equipment, and spare parts recorded US$12.547 billion in value, an annual rise of 13.1 per cent, while apparel exports jumped 11.5 per cent to US$12.2 billion.

Elsewhere, the country spent US$101.555 billion on imports during the five-month period. Most notably, imports reached US$23.2 billion during May, a surge of 10.5 per cent compared with April.

Given this, the country sustained a trade deficit of US$434 million in the first five months of the year.