HANOI (Nov 3): Vietnam posted a record monthly trade surplus of US$7.31 billion in October, driven by robust exports, government data showed on Tuesday, although it remained in a trade deficit for the first 10 months of the year.

October exports rose 51.4% from a year earlier to US$64.67 billion, while imports were up 43.1% to US$57.36 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of US$7.31 billion for the month, the National Statistics Office said in a report

The October surplus compared to a US$1.3 billion surplus in September and exceeded the previous monthly record of US$4.9 billion set in August 2020.

For the first 10 months of this year, shipments rose 27.5% to US$499.24 billion, while imports increased 37.4% to US$511.31 billion, leaving Vietnam with a trade deficit of US$12.07 billion over that period.

Annual inflation in October came in at 5.09% from a year earlier, slightly higher than September's 5.08% rate.

Core inflation in October was 4.24%.

October's industrial production rose 15% from a year earlier, slower than the 16.7% growth recorded in September.

Retail sales rose 14.7% in October from a year earlier, slower than September's 14.1% expansion.

Foreign investment inflows into Vietnam in the first 10 months of this year rose 13.1% from a year earlier to US$24.08 billion.

Foreign investment pledges for the period rose 74% to US$54.85 billion.

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