Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US in the first quarter of 2011 reached US$4.74 billion, an increase of $779.5 million or 19.6 per cent over the same period last year.
According to data released by the US Department of Commerce on May 11, from January to March this year the US imports from Viet Nam hit $3.69 billion, an increase of $560.8 million or 18 per cent over the same period last year.
The department said among Viet Nam's exports to the US in the January-March period, apparel and clothing accessories retained first ranking with an export value of $1.47 billion, 14 per cent higher than Q1 of 2010.
Remaining in second place was footwear with an export value of $456.4 million, an increase of 32.3 per cent. That was followed by furniture with an export value of $395.6 million, up 3 per cent, and electrical machinery, equipment and parts valued at $194.4 million, up 22.4 per cent.
Next was fish and aquatic invertebrates with an export value of $153.3 million, an increase of 5 per cent over the corresponding period of 2010.
Also in the reviewed period, the US exports totalled $1.05 billion, up 26.3 per cent from the first quarter of 2010.
Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics, topped US exports to Viet Nam in the January-March period at $150.8 million, up 286 per cent over the same period last year.
Ranked second in export value by the US to Viet Nam in Q1 of 2011 was machinery and mechanical appliances and parts with the value reaching $109.6 million, an increase of 17.6 per cent over the corresponding period of 2010.