iPhone imports cost Vietnam $1.6B

Total imports were up 10.5% to $3.5 billion, with Samsung, Oppo and Xiaomi accounting for most of the rest, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Samsung imports cost $940 million, and that of Oppo, $442 million.

Almost $18 worth of components were also imported, and South Korea and China accounted for 93% of phone and part imports.

Many Apple distributors said the more expensive an iPhone model, the higher the demand.

Some 210.5 million phones worth VND663.7 trillion were manufactured in Vietnam last year, down 9.1% in volume but up 15.1% in value, according to the ministry.

Exports fetched the country $33.32 billion, with Samsung alone accounting for $31.42 billion.