Vietnam's manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in April as new orders fell and cost pressures surged, according to data released Monday by S&P Global.

The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.5 in April from 51.2 in March, a seven-month low, signalling a tenth straight month of expansion but only marginal growth.

New orders declined for the first time in eight months, with export orders falling for a second consecutive month amid higher transportation costs.

Output continued to rise for the twelfth month, though growth eased to a ten-month low as rising costs, supply shortages, and market instability linked to the Middle East war weighed on activity.

Input costs rose at the fastest pace in 15 years, driven by higher fuel, oil, and transportation costs, prompting firms to raise selling prices at the sharpest rate since April 2011.

Firms cut employment, purchasing activity and inventories, while supplier delivery times lengthened sharply and business confidence weakened to a seven-month low