Vietnam spent 133 million USD on importing 5,493 completely built-up(CBU) cars last month, an increase of 86 percent in quantity and 160percent in value compared in the same month last year, according to theGeneral Statistics Office.

The figure, however, was only halfthat of January, when Vietnamese imported 9,596 cars valued at 185.7million USD. The fall was attributed to the long Tet (Lunar New Year)holiday.

However, car dealers predict that the car-import market is still on track to keep growing.

Inthe first two months of this year, India was the biggest exporter toVietnam with 4,363 units, equivalent to 25million USD, followed by theRepublic of Korea, China and Thailand, respectively.

The total number of imported cars in Vietnam by last December 15 was66,025, nearly double that of 2013, which recorded 35,125 cars.

Many dealers believe car imports will keep rising as Vietnam reducescar-import tax to zero percent by 2018 under the ASEAN Trade in GoodsAgreement (ATIGA).

Vietnam will cut car-importduties from ASEAN countries from 50 percent this year to 40 percent by2016, 30 percent by 2017 and to zero by 2018.

South Korea is the leading car exporter to Vietnam. Last month, it sold 1,242 units with total revenue of 27 million USD.

China was second with 1,189 cars worth 47 million USD. The thirdbiggest exporter was India with 1,100 cars, totalling 13 million USD,followed by Thailand with 1,055 cars, 17 million USD.-VNA