Hanoi: Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached 659.58 billion USD in the first seven months of 2026, reflecting a 28.1% increase compared to the same period last year. The surge, however, has led to a trade deficit of 20.52 billion USD, driven by heightened demand for imported raw materials, machinery, and production inputs. According to Vietnam News Agency, merchandise exports totaled 319.53 billion USD between January and July, marking a 21.7% rise year-on-year. The domestic economic sector contributed 63.64 billion USD, an increase of 5.8%, accounting for 19.9% of total exports. Meanwhile, the foreign-invested sector, including crude oil, generated 255.89 billion USD, up 26.4%, representing 80.1% of total exports.