It is targeting GDP growth of 6.5% this year, slower than an the 8.02% last year.
Shipments of smartphones, Vietnam's largest export earner, fell 18.1% in the period to $17.3 billion, according to the customs report.
Imports in the January-April period fell 17.7% to $99.6 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $7.5 billion, according to the customs report. A sharp decline in imports could indicate a further slowdown ahead in industrial production, as businesses reduce their raw material and equipment procurement.
Vietnam's lawmakers earlier on Tuesday urged its central bank to consider cutting policy rates further to support the economy, after it cut several policy rates in March. Vietnam, with a population of 100 million, is also planning to cut its value added tax on goods and services to 8% from 10% to boost consumption, to compensate for the exports decline.
In April, exports fell 6.2% from March to $27.86 billion, while imports were down 11.0% at $25.21 billion, according to the customs department.
A wide trade surplus, however, has this year been supportive for the central bank to build up its foreign reserves.
The investment minister on Friday said the central bank
bought $4.9 billion of greenbacks from credit institutions in
the first four months this year.
(Reporting by Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Martin
Petty)
