The record US$13.5 billion trade surplus in the eight-month period far exceeded the unprecedented figure of US$11.12 billion last year.

As of August 15, budget revenue collection reached VND812.2 trillion (US$35.04 billion), equivalent to 53.7% of the year's estimate.

Year to August 20, 1,797 new projects have been approved with total registered capital of US$9.73 billion, up 6.6% in capital and down 25.3% in the number of project year-on-year.