Local news organisations in Vietnam have reported that trade between the country and France has been growing rapidly - $13 billion in 2001 from $50 million in 1986.

Leather is a leading Vietnamese export - $40.2 million worth of leather products were exported to France last year. Footwear and garments were other major exports last year - $362.4 million in footwear and $150.1 million in garments.

In total, Vietnamese exports to France reached a record high of $820 million in 2001 from $16 million in 1986, and Vietnam became one of the few countries to have a trade surplus with France.

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