Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2021 is estimated to rise 4.48 percent, higher than 3.68 percent recorded in the same period last year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) General Director Nguyen Thi Huong reported at a press conference on March 29. SEE MORE Vietnam aims to become the second largest economy in Southeast Asia by 2030 thanks to its sound economic performance, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. SEE MORE Vietnam and China are the only two economies in East Asia and Pacific experiencing a V-shaped rebound where output has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels. SEE MORE In the first two months of this year, Vietnam reported a trade deficit of US$7.44 billion with China as the value of Chinese products shipped to Vietnam surged 65.9% year-on-year. SEE MORE Some commercial banks have raised deposit interest rates following an 8-year inflation rate high in February. Analysts believe a new interest rate floor will be set in the second quarter. SEE MORE