Vietnam: Merchandise exports increase in December
Merchandise exports shot up 13.1% on an annual basis in December, following November’s 6.9% rise. December’s figure marked the fastest expansion since August 2022. Meanwhile, merchandise imports jumped 12.3% in annual terms in December (November: +4.3% yoy), marking the strongest reading in 16 months.
As a result, the merchandise trade balance improved from the previous month, recording a USD 2.3 billion surplus in December (November 2023: USD 1.5 billion surplus; December 2022: USD 1.8 billion surplus). Lastly, the trend pointed up, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 27.9 billion surplus in December, compared to the USD 27.4 billion surplus in November.