Seven product groups earned an import and export turnover of over US$1 billion during the first half of January, according to the latest statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The first 15 days of the year has seen a total of four commodities record an export value of over US$1 billion.

The export of machines, equipment, and tools reached US$1.45 billion, a rise of 72% compared to the same period from last year.

Other export commodities which recorded a value of over US$1 billion include telephones and accessories at US$2.86 billion, computers, electronics and components at US$1.7 billion, and garments at US$1.23 billion.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese import turnover increased by roughly US$2.2 billion, an annual rise of over 19%.

The opening 15 days of the year witness three groups of import goods record an import value of more than US$1 billion each.

Import turnover of mobile phones and components hit US$1.3 billion, a rise of approximately US$700 million, equivalent to 112%.

Import commodities with a value of over US$1 billion include computers, electronics and components at US$2.73 billion, along with machines, equipment and tools at over US$2 billion.