The figure surpassed the nation's target of 12-per-cent growth for 2010.

Industrial-production value was VND69.5 trillion ($3.6 billion) in August, up 1.6 per cent from July and 15.2 against the same month of last year.

But August growth was the lowest in five months.

Industrial output grew by 3.8 per cent in April, 3.5 per cent in May, 2 per cent in June and 3.4 per cent in July.

The foreign-invested sector achieved the highest growth - 17.3 per cent or VND212.3 trillion ($11 billion); the private sector 12.7 per cent, VND177.4 trillion ($9.2 billion); and the State-owned sector just 9 per cent, VND114.5 trillion ($5.9 billion).

Several key industries achieved high growth. Liquefied petroleum gas increased by 210 per cent; gas, 20 per cent; electricity, 21.9 per cent; powdered milk, 34.2 per cent; glass 24.3 per cent; sport shoes, 24 per cent; and refrigerators, 21.1 per cent.

Those which grew at less than 20 per cent included motorbikes,18.2 per cent; cement, 17.2 per cent; seafood, 11 per cent; and taxis, 16.4 per cent.

But crude oil fell 14.6 per cent; coal 0.2 per cent; washing machines 3.5 per cent; television receivers, 1.1 per cent; and sugar 10 per cent. The GSO attributes the declines to a fall in production. — VNS