Vietnam now has nearly 55,000ha of dragon fruit farming and harvests about 1.3 million tons each year. The favorable soil and climate conditions have enabled the country to produce dragon fruit on a large scale all year round. As a result, it used to be the world’s leader in terms of the farming area, output, and export value, said Nguyen Quoc Manh, head of the fruit tree division of the Crop Production Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. However, after conquering several markets for a certain period of time, the fruit from Vietnam is facing a number of challenges, he noted, pointing out the foreign markets’ increasingly stringent standards for quality, food safety, and look of fresh dragon fruits, the emergence of many pests and diseases caused by climate change impacts, soaring fertilizer prices, the unsustainable connectivity between businesses and farmers, the limited number of companies involved in value chains to meet requirements of major and … [Read more...] about Vietnam seeks to secure sustainable development for dragon fruit sector
3 change management models
Denmark in Your Eyes 2023 painting competition on green future launched
Under the theme “Green Future,” this painting competition is part of the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of signing the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement between Vietnam and Denmark, a major milestone, which elevated our bilateral relationship from traditional development cooperation to a full-fledged partnership encompassing political dialogue, green growth, energy, trade and investment and culture. The competition is open to all Vietnamese students, from both primary and secondary schools. The deadline for submission is November 30th 2023. Winners will be announced and awarded at a ceremony at the end of the school year 2023 – 2024 in Hanoi. At the launching ceremony, Ambassador of Denmark in Vietnam Nicolai Prytz said that he both honored and excited to attend the launching of the Denmark in Your Eyes painting competition, which has added a lot of values to the strengthening of our two countries’ long term cooperation on promoting green and sustainable development. He … [Read more...] about Denmark in Your Eyes 2023 painting competition on green future launched
Deputy PM hosts new RoK ambassador
Noting that the RoK is one of the biggest foreign investors in Vietnam, Deputy PM Quang affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will continue with drastic efforts to improve the business and investment environment for foreign investors, including those from the RoK, to do business successfully in the country. He proposed that the two countries maintain regular visits and contact at all levels so as to continuously strengthen relations between their leaders, creating the foundation for promoting cooperation across all fields. The deputy PM also welcomed the establishment of a joint working group on climate change, saying that he believes the two sides, with resolve and efforts, will realize targets set in the Vietnam - RoK Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Climate Change. For his part, Ambassador Choi Youngsam affirmed that the RoK will coordinate closely with Vietnam to realize the agreements reached during the official visit to Vietnam in June this year by RoK President … [Read more...] about Deputy PM hosts new RoK ambassador
Eco-tourism development linked with biodiversity conservation under discussion
The event was jointly organized by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Management Board for Forestry Projects of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam). Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry, said with a total of over 14.7 million ha covering 42.2% of Vietnam's natural area, forest ecosystems have greatly contributed to the national economy and livelihoods for people. He noted that about 25 million people rely on forests to earn their living, mainly ethnic minority communities whose cultural identities are connected with forests. This is great potential to develop multi-purpose values of the forest ecosystem. With the support of international and non-governmental organizations, the Vietnamese government has paid special attention and allocated resources to protect life in forests and promote biodiversity conservation in the … [Read more...] about Eco-tourism development linked with biodiversity conservation under discussion
Digitization drives tourism recovery
According to Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh, the VNAT has joined hands with domestic and international partners to apply advanced technologies in tourism promotion activities. Two years ago, the tourism authority in collaboration with Google to launch the online exhibition project “Wonders of Vietnam,” an online exhibition project as part of Google Arts & Culture (GA&C) that allows everyone to explore art, history and the wonders of the world. Featuring 35 stories and over 1,300 sumptuous photos of iconic sites, historical heritage, nature, cuisine and culture of Central Vietnam, the project is a unique way for hungry travelers to virtually explore. It is also an important part of Google’s overall support of the local tourism industry, which has been badly affected by pandemic-related travel restrictions. With initial support from Google, it continues to carry out a communications campaign with a series of videos themed … [Read more...] about Digitization drives tourism recovery
GDP growth 6% max this year, ministry predicts
The ministry discussed three potential GDP outcomes for 2023. The lowest prospect mentioned would see GDP growth at 5% for the entire year. In this case, GDP in the last quarter would have to reach 7%, according to ministry analysts. The middle of the road scenario would see GDP round out the year at 5.5%, in which case final quarter GDP growth would need to reach 8.8%. The most optimistic scenario would be GDP growth ending the year at 6%, but in order for that to happen, GDP growth in the fourth quarter must reach 10.6%. This would be a challenge, according to the ministry, as GDP growth in the third quarter reached only 5.33%. Ministry analysts have said that economic growth in the final quarter would depend on how quickly industrial production recovers, especially in manufacturing and processing. Another factor is demand from Vietnam’s major export markets, as well as tourism and spending within the country at the end of the year and for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. … [Read more...] about GDP growth 6% max this year, ministry predicts
Former health minister charged for receiving $2.25M bribes in Covid test kit scandal
Long, along with his former secretary Nguyen Huynh, former director of the Hai Duong Center for Disease Control Pham Duy Tuyen, former head of the Department of Health Equipment and Works Nguyen Minh Tuan, former head of the Department of Financial Planning Nguyen Nam Lien, former head of the Department of Science and Technology Trinh Thanh Hung, were charged with receiving bribes by the Supreme People's Procuracy. Pham Xuan Thang, former Hai Duong Party Secretary, was charged with power abuse. Phan Quoc Viet, general director of the Viet A Company, as well as his subordinate Vu Dinh Hiep, were charged with giving bribes and bidding violations that lead to serious consequences. Phan Ton Noel Thao and Ho Thi Thanh Thao, finance advisor and treasurer of Viet A, were charged with giving bribes. Chu Ngoc Anh, former Minister of Science and Technology, and Pham Cong Tac, deputy minister, were charged with violations regarding the management and use of state-owned property that lead … [Read more...] about Former health minister charged for receiving $2.25M bribes in Covid test kit scandal
Thi Vai LNG complex passes pilot testing, ready to go
An aerial view of part of the Thi Vai liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouse and terminal complex (Photo: congthuong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Thi Vai liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouse and terminal complex, the first of its kind in Vietnam, of the Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV GAS), has passed a series of technical tests and is now ready to be put into commercial operation. Work started on the Thi Vai LNG warehouse and terminal projects, based in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, on October 28, 2019. Their trial operations began on July 10, 2023, and the test run of the main processes completed on July 30. The Thi Vai system is currently the biggest LNG complex in the country. The LNG warehouse, the heart of the system, already had its first phase completed with the storage capacity of 180,000 cu.m., able to handle 1 million tonnes of LNG per year. Its second phase is currently under construction with a view to raising the annual handling … [Read more...] about Thi Vai LNG complex passes pilot testing, ready to go
AAE-1 undersea optic cable runs into problem
The Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) submarine optic cable system has encountered a problem, causing loss of internet data transmission capacity on the section that connects with Singapore, while the repair of another cable system has yet to be completed. The cause of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has yet to be determined. Internet service providers in Vietnam have yet to receive a repair notice from managers of the AAE-1 cable system, which has been put into operation since July 2017. AAE-1 is a 25,000km submarine cable from Southeast Asia to Europe across Egypt, connecting Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France. The system is among the five submarine cable systems that connects Vietnam with the world, with the four others including the Asia-Pacific Gateway (APG), the Asia-America Gateway (AAG), the TGN-Intra Asia Cable System (TGN-IA), and the … [Read more...] about AAE-1 undersea optic cable runs into problem
Hung Yen sees potential in rural tourism
Tourists visit a longan orchard in Hung Yen. (Photo: VNA) Hung Yen (VNA) - Through the ups and downs of time, the Red River Delta province of Hung Yen still keeps intact many old communal and ancient houses as well as the customs and traditions deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. These have turned into the province's trump card in tourism development . Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Trung Can said rural tourism can offer visitors a blend of familiar and unique, novel experiences, such as trying out the life of a farmer, creating handcrafted goods, and visiting traditional craft villages. In Hung Yen , rural tourism primarily involves visiting craft villages and exploring historical and cultural relics, festivals, and more. Recently, some areas in the province have introduced models that combine farms with tourism, enabling visitors to go sightseeing and purchase farm produce. Notable examples include flower … [Read more...] about Hung Yen sees potential in rural tourism