Vietnam's manufacturing sector expanded for the second successive month in April, and at a faster rate than in the previous month, data released by Markit Economics and HSBC Bank showed Thursday.
The seasonally adjusted purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector moved up to 51 in April from 50.8 in March. The index stayed above the non-change 50 mark - which separates growth from contraction - for the second straight month, indicating the first back-to-back improvement in almost two years.
Production in the manufacturing sector increased for the second successive month in April, though at a slower rate than in the previous month.
The production growth reflected a further increase in new orders as an improvement in sales to domestic clients more than offset subdued demand in the international market.
Manufacturing employment rose for the second consecutive month, in line with the upturn in production and new order volumes.
Average input costs increased further during April, due to higher prices in both domestic and world markets. Meanwhile, competitive market conditions restricted firms' ability to pass on rising costs to clients, leading to a fall in output prices.
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