Vietnam imported over 10 million tons of petroleum products worth nearly 5.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of this year, down 3.7 percent in volume but up 18. 2 percent in value against the same period last year.

In the 11-month period, Vietnam exported more than 15.2 million tons of crude oil totaling over 7.7 billion dollars, down 7.7 percent in volume but up 14.5 percent in value, according to the country's General Statistics Office on Friday.

In late 2005, Vietnam started to construct its first oil refinery with an annual refining capacity of 6.5 million tons in central Quang Ngai province. The refinery will come into operation in late 2008 or early 2009.

Source: Xinhua