Vietnamese exports to Japan topped 13.65 billion USD in 2013, an increase of 4.5 percent over the previous year, radio The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported.

Garments topped the list, earning 2.38 billion USD, accounting for 20 percent of the country’s total and up 20.7 percent, the radio quoted the General Department of Customs as saying.

Japan currently consumes more than 13 percent of Vietnam’s garment exports.

Crude oil came a close second with earnings of 2.08 billion USD, down 17.3 percent, followed by means of transport and tools valued at 1.85 billion USD, up 9.9 percent.

Chemicals achieved the highest growth of 56.2 percent despite a modest export value of 248.2 million USD.
 
Other products with high growth included wood and timber products (819.9 million USD, up 22.5 percent), footwear (389.3 million USD, up 18.6 percent), bags, wallets, suitcases, hats and umbrellas (235.3 million USD, up 33.1 percent).-VNA