As of July 1, 34 provincial-level administrative units - comprising 28 provinces and six centrally-governed cities - officially began operating under a new governance model. This restructuring aims to expand development space, improve administrative efficiency, and fully unlock each locality's potential.

According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s export turnover in the first five months of the year reached an estimated $180.2 billion, marking a 14% increase over the same period last year.

Leading the nation is the newly formed Ho Chi Minh City (which now includes Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau), with an export value of approximately $37.8 billion.

Ranking second is the new Bac Ninh province (a merger of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang), with an export turnover of $32.4 billion - just $2 billion behind the newly merged HCMC. Notably, this new Bac Ninh province now leads the northern region in export performance.

In 2024, Bac Ninh is expected to reach an export turnover of $70.06 billion, while Ho Chi Minh City is projected to hit $88.96 billion.

The top five localities by export value also include the new Hai Phong City (merged with Hai Duong), reaching $17 billion; the new Dong Nai province (merged with Binh Phuoc), at $13.4 billion; and the new Phu Tho province (merged with Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh), at $13.3 billion.

Together, these five newly merged localities contributed approximately $113.9 billion, accounting for over 63% of Vietnam’s total export value in the first five months of 2024.

Tam An