The Trade Ministry has forecast that Vietnam is much likely to raise sharply the export of Japanese traditional Kimono dresses to Japan in the second and third quarters of this year.

Kimono exports were limited in this year’s first quarter but would increase later, said the ministry.

The country shipped 86,000 Kimono pieces worth US$12.5 million in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 13 percent and 25 percent respectively.