Vietnam reaped some 1.4 billion U.S. dollars from exporting nearly 2.9 million tons of rice in the first five months of this year, up 17.2 percent and 3.7 percent on-year respectively, according to the country's General Statistics Office on Thursday.

In May alone, Vietnam shipped 750,000 tons abroad, gaining 395 million U.S. dollars, up 11.7 percent in volume and 35.7 percent in value.

The country's major export markets included China, Malaysia and the Philippines.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, between January and May, the average export price went up 13 percent against the same period last year to 485 U.S. dollars per ton.

Vietnam normalized its rice export in May after a temporary export ban in March to ensure national food security amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

In 2019, the country sold 6.3 million tons of rice offshore, reaping 2.8 billion U.S. dollars. The country expects to export 6.7 million tonnes of rice this year, according to the Vietnam Food Association.