The amount of trade between South Korea and Vietnam this year is forecast to top 30 billion won ($27.67 million) to reach an all-time high, data showed Wednesday, raising anticipation of further expansion once the recently agreed bilateral free trade pact goes into effect.

Trade volume between the two countries has already reached 25 billion won in the January-October period, according to tallies from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and Korea International Trade Association. For the whole of 2013, the figure came to 28 billion won.

Major export items from South Korea to the Southeast Asian country include steel products, industrial electronics goods and parts, textiles and petrochemicals. Flat panel displays have also become another popular product after smartphone maker Samsung Electronics Co. began manufacturing its handsets in Vietnam. (Yonhap)