City regains export top spot

HCMC has regained the top spot for exports in the country, earning US$8.9 billion from exports over the past two months after a tough time hit by Covid-19, according to the latest statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

In January this year, the city’s export revenue amounted to some US$4.1 billion, leading the country in terms of export value. This is the second straight month that the city has taken the lead in export value after Bac Ninh Province surpassed it for several months due to the fourth wave of Covid-19 last year.

After the pandemic was brought under control and firms restarted their business and production activities in December last year, HCMC saw the export value reach US$4.8 billion, regaining the number one ranking. The city remained the top exporter in the country in 2021 with US$44.9 billion. Bac Ninh Province came second with a value of US$44.8 billion.

According to the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, almost all manufacturing and trading activities have resumed since the city eased social distancing in October last year. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, director of the department, said that almost all manufacturers had resumed operations, at over 95% capacity, while many firms in the city’s hi-tech park had restarted operations at full capacity.

Apart from HCMC and Bac Ninh, other provinces and cities reporting the January export value of over US$1 billion are Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Thai Nguyen, Haiphong, Hanoi and Bac Giang.

The statistics also indicated that Vietnam’s exports in January were over US$30.8 trillion, up 8.1% year-on-year.