Vietnam shipped over 1.13 billion face masks of various types abroad during the past ten months of the year, according to statistics compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs. 

October alone witnessed over 60 major local firms export approximately 143.33 million medical face masks overseas, representing a slight increase of 0.3% from September. 

Customs officials revealed Vietnam enjoyed its strongest level of export growth in June, with 236.12 million units, while August saw a decline with only 135.44. million units exported abroad.

Local firms have been striving to speed up the export of face masks since the end of April following the enforcement of Resolution No. 60 by the Government, a piece of legislation that permits businesses to export an unlimited quantity of face masks.

Since this act came into effect, several domestic enterprises have continuously increased their production capacity, while other companies have also shifted to investment more heavily in machinery in an effort to increase face mask exports.

However, local firms admitted that the market for face masks has gradually saturated due to demand no longer keeping up with the rise in supply sources.