Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

The country's total trade value hit 63.25 billion USD in the month, down 3.3% compared to the same time of 2024. Exports fell 4% to 33.19 billion USD, while imports slid 2.6% to 30.06 billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 3.13 billion USD.

Smuggling and trade fraud cases rose 9.6%, particularly fireworks and consumer via the borders with China and Laos during the Lunar New Year holiday, and gold and currency smuggling cases detected in the Southwest border region. The value of the seized goods increased 19.4% year-on-year, the department said.

Drug trafficking remained a significant challenge, especially through international airports and postal services. Traffickers employed sophisticated concealment methods, hiding narcotics in candy packages, pet food, cosmetics, and animal products.

In response, customs authorities launched a special campaign targeting smuggling and counterfeit goods, handling 1,430 cases of customs law violations, with seized goods worth 1.46 trillion VND. As much as 95 billion VND was collected in fines./.