Vietnam's coal imports (including those from foreign-invested enterprises) throughout 2023 registered a considerable increase and reached a three-year high, preliminary customs data showed.

The country imported 51.16 million tonnes of coal in 2023, jumping 60% from 31.97 million tonnes in 2022, data showed.

Vietnam imported 4.82 million tonnes of coal in December, surging 78.12% from 2.71 million tonnes in the same month last year yet falling 3.2% from 4.98 million tonnes in November, which declined again after two consecutive months of growth.

Indonesia was the top supplier in the month, delivering 1.96 million tonnes, surging 86.1% from a year earlier and up 3.69% on the month. Vietnam imported 1.72 million tonnes of coal from Australia, rising 29.09% on the year and 9.59% month on month.

Russia delivered 292,400 tonnes of coal to Vietnam, soaring 90.62% on the year yet decreasing 59.93% on the month.

The data revealed that Vietnam's coal import value in December amounted to $629 million, increasing 28.05% year on year yet declining 8.56% month on month.

Total value came in at $7.17 billion throughout 2023, edging down 0.09% on the year, data showed.