HANOI, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's manufacturing sector made a strong start to 2018 with the Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) hitting the highest in nine months.

The seasonally adjusted business activity index stood at 53.4 in January, up from 52.5 in December 2017, signaling a solid monthly improvement in the health of the sector, local Saigon Times newspaper reported Monday.

"Faster rises in output, new orders and employment were recorded amid improving demand conditions," said Andrew Harker, associate director at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey.

A reading above 50 points indicates economic expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction. Vietnam's PMI has stayed above 50 for more than two years.