The southern province of Binh Duong recorded a rise of 14.2 percent in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of this year, nearly doubling the national figure.

In this period, the province's export revenue shot up by 25 percent while its industrial sector posted a 19 percent growth.

Binh Duong is emerging as a key economic hub in southern Vietnam. The province recently topped the Provincial Competitiveness Index 2006 thanks to its investment incentives and simplified administrative procedures.