Vietnam’s October trade surplus widens to $1.86 billion

October exports increased 3.7% from month ago to $24.23 billion, while imports rose 2.9% to $22.37 billion.

Like previous months, smartphones, garments and electronic products were among the largest export earners in October.

In the first ten months of 2019, Vietnam saw a trade surplus of over $9 billion, with exports climbed 8.3% from a year earlier to $218.8 billion, while imports were up 7.7% to $209.8 billion.

The government's General Statistics Office late last month forecast the October trade deficit at $100 million.

With the scale of import and export turnover at more than $480 billion in 2018, and the growth rate optimistic in recent years, customs officials expect 2019 total trade revenue will reach $500 billion.

The target could be achievable since Jan.-Oct. total import-export reached $428.7 billion.