Hanoi, April 22 -- Vietnam's trade performance in the first quarter of 2026 presents a notably upbeat picture, with total turnover reaching 249.5 billion USD, up 23% year-on-year. Exports rose 19% to 122.93 billion USD while imports climbed 27% to 126.57 billion USD. This robust expansion is laying the groundwork for stronger export growth and higher budget revenues in the quarters ahead. Rising imports underscore production momentum According to the Department of Vietnam Customs, the country recorded a trade deficit of 677 million USD in March, bringing the cumulative deficit in the first three months to 3.64 billion USD, compared to a surplus of 3.68 billion USD a year earlier. However, this shift is widely viewed not as a negative sign...