China remains biggest exporter to Vietnam in 2013

China was the biggest market among exporters to Vietnam in 2013, with an estimated import revenue of 36.8 billion U.S. dollars from China, according to Vietnam's General Statistics Office (GSO) on Monday.

According to the office, Vietnam's imports from Chinese market in 2013 saw an increase of 26.7 percent year-on-year. China was also the market where Vietnam saw the largest trade deficit in 2013 with 23.7 billion U.S. dollars.

Imported items from China with highest growth during the period include phones and accessories (73.6 percent). electronic products, computers and components (36.8 percent). and machinery, equipment and spare parts (25.5 percent).

China was followed by the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) among Vietnam's large exporters, with 21.4 billion U.S. dollars, up 2.8 percent year-on-year. Imports from Republic of Korea came the third, reaching 20.8 billion U.S. dollars, up 34.1 percent year-on-year, said GSO.

During the period, Vietnam exported to China some 13.1 billion U.S. dollars worth of products, an increase of 2.1 percent year-on- year, said the office.