Vietnam sees surge in Nov. exports after end of lockdowns

Vietnam reported an acceleration in exports this month after officials eased tough anti-coronavirus restrictions that led to the closing of many factories, particularly in the southern industrial belt, that produce shoes and clothes for global brands such as Nike Inc. and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 

November exports jumped 18.5% from last year, the most since May, according to data from the Hanoi-based General Statistics Office. Imports rose 20.8%. 

The increases come after authorities began lifting restrictions in early October. Plants have struggled to lure migrant workers, who fled to home provinces amid the nation’s worst outbreak, back to assembly lines. Most workers are returning, according to the government.

Plants, with 90%-95% of their workforce back, now worry that three-week mandatory quarantines for vaccinated workers who test positive could affect orders for early 2022, said Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, vice chairwoman of the Vietnam Leather Footwear and Handbag Association. She did not provide details. Many Christmas orders went unfulfilled, Xuan said. Business associations are planning to ask authorities to reduce quarantine times, according Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, vice secretary general of the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association.

The pandemic is still complicated with rising numbers of new virus patients in the community, the statistics office said in a statement on its website. Vietnam reported 12,928 new virus cases and 190 deaths yesterday. Ho Chi Minh City, the epicenter of the virus, has seen Covid-19 cases rise about 65% as of late Sunday from a month ago to 1,454.