Bac Ninh tops Vietnam’s trade with nearly US$130bln in 7 months
VOV.VN - Bac Ninh, a gateway to Hanoi, recorded nearly US$130 billion in total import-export turnover in the first seven months of 2026, the highest among Vietnamese localities, as industrial centres continue to dominate the country’s foreign trade.
Statistics show Bac Ninh’s exports totaled US$63.89 billion, while imports stood at US$65.58 billion, leaving the province with a trade deficit of nearly US$1.7 billion.
The figure put Bac Ninh ahead of Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest economic and financial hub, which recorded total trade of US$120.49 billion, including US$57.26 billion in exports and US$63.23 billion in imports.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho retained its position as the country’s third largest trading locality, with total import-export turnover of US$78.42 billion.
The contrast is particularly notable with Hai Phong, whose total trade reached US$55.79 billion but produced a trade surplus of around US$2.17 billion. Thai Nguyen also recorded a trade surplus of approximately US$5.8 billion on total trade of around US$39 billion.
Bac Ninh’s trade turnover remained well ahead of other major economic centres, underscoring its growing role as a key manufacturing and export hub. The locality is also set to officially become a city on September 20.
The differences among major trading hubs show that large trade turnover does not necessarily translate into a trade surplus.
Manufacturing centres often import large volumes of machinery, components, raw materials and other production inputs, particularly when they are deeply integrated into export-oriented supply chains.
Bac Ninh is a prominent example. Its rapidly expanding trade reflects the scale of industrial production and the province’s integration into international manufacturing networks, but this also generates strong demand for imported inputs.
The strong performance of major trading hubs comes as Vietnam’s total merchandise trade continues to expand rapidly.
According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s trade turnover reached US$52.327 billion in the first 15 days of August, including US$25.413 billion in exports and US$26.914 billion in imports, resulting in a trade deficit of about US$1.5 billion.
From the beginning of the year through August 15, total trade had surpassed US$712 billion, with exports at approximately US$345.4 billion and imports at US$367.3 billion, resulting in a deficit of nearly US$22 billion.
Bac Ninh promotes investment at Beijing roundtable
VOV.VN - A roundtable discussion promoting Vietnam-China investment cooperation under the theme "Bac Ninh: Partnering for Development, Shaping the Future" took place in Beijing on August 24, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in China and the northern province of Bac Ninh.
