Việt Nam's exports reached US$158.34 billion in the first six months of 2021, an increase of $35.57 billion, or 29 per cent over the same period in 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — As exports formed a key component of local economic development, maintaining production chains was crucial for Việt Nam. In the first six months of the year, exports increased by 29 per cent and orders were rising thanks to the recoveries of the US and China markets, as well as tax incentives from the EU due to the EVFTA agreement, said Nguyễn Xuân Thành, manager of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Programme.