Vietnam's industrial production decreased by 4.4 percent in January over the same period last year as a result of shrinking demand in both international and domestic market amid world economic downturn, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday.

According to the General Statistics Office, the state-owned sector saw a reduction of 8.5 percent, the non-state sector posted a fall of 2.8 percent and the foreign-invested sector reported a drop of 3.2 percent.

Southern industrial hubs such as Dong Nai Province, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho Province registered very low growth rates of 1.9 percent, 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent respectively.

A number of northern provinces including Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho and Quang Ninh reported a sharp reduction in industrial production.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2009)