Big profit margin products

Like so many others in Lam Dong Province and other rural areas of southern Vietnam, Toan saw the value of his agricultural land skyrocket in 2020-2021. He took it as an opportunity to start flipping properties for profit. But the market froze last year and short-term loans at high interest rates have now sunk him and many other farmers-turned-inexperienced-traders in impossible debt instead. The veteran coffee grower sold his land 7 km from the center of Di Linh District for several billions of dong in profit during a property price bubble in 2021. He then took out short-term, high-interest loans and used them plus money he made from his land sale to by several more plots he planned to resell for profit in what he thought would be at most 1-2 months. He said he thought he’d be able to sell some of the land back in even just a couple of weeks. But the properties still haven’t sold. In early 2022, Toan poured another VND15 billion ($635,600), including VND6 billion from another … [Read more...] about Debt buries farmers trying to flip property in frozen market

A showroom displays and sells products under the country’s One Commune-One Product (OCOP) programme and other products in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s 12 provinces and the city of Can Tho are developing more products under the country’s “One Commune-One Product” programme. Launched in 2018, the OCOP programme focuses on developing specialty products and high-quality products in rural areas to increase incomes for locals and boost the sustainability of economic development in rural areas. OCOP products are commercial products and services such as food and beverages, handicrafts and rural tourism services. They are classified as having one to five stars. Under the programme, the Cuu Long delta, which is the country’s largest rice, seafood and fruit producer, has developed more OCOP products and increased their value. Can Tho recognised 18 new OCOP products last year, including 10 three-star … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta develops more OCOP products

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the official noted that Vietnam has focused on including the cultural content into the activities of high-ranking leaders during their overseas trips and the country’s reception of foreign leaders; and on promoting deep and wide integration in the fields of culture, science and education at international forums. According to him, Vietnam hosted significant regional and international conferences and events last year, including the 31st SEA Games and the Vietnam day program in the Republic of Korea, Austria and India. The country was elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term with the highest number of votes. The first official visit to Vietnam by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay was a highlight, putting the country, its culture and people on the radar of international media, Ngoc said. The guest said she was impressed by … [Read more...] about Cultural diplomacy raises Vietnam’s position worldwide

Decreasing demand for apartments in the region is also forecast to continue through at least the middle of the year. But it may begin to gradually rise by the last quarter of 2023 as legal bottlenecks and obstacles to credit are slated to be at least partially removed by the government, according to DKRA real estate consultants. DKRA Vietnam deputy R&D director Vo Hong Thang said apartment market liquidity, this year, would concentrate in affordable housing projects with prices of below VND50 million ($2,118) per square meter in HCMC and less than VND35 million per square meter in Binh Duong. Such social housing projects promise to be a ray of light in the otherwise gloomy 2023 market, he said, while adding the caveat that supply would still be limited. According to Thang, businesses are gradually supplying fewer high-priced homes and more affordable apartments and social housing units this year. He said this trend may last until 2025, with new supply focusing on the city’s … [Read more...] about Apartment market to continue slumping this year

Lionbooks Children's Bookstore has organized a Tet program in Hanoi to bring children and their families to an attractive playground of 20 folk games and activities. Joining in the event "Open the door to see Tet", the children enthusiastically played bamboo dance, throwing cans, and mandarin square capturing. “I played the game of throwing a cloth ball. I was very happy. I hit three balls.” Children participate in the bamboo dance. “My children can play the games that I used to play in the past, which I find very meaningful. Children can also experience throwing balls, bamboo dance, and doing fun activities with friends. The bamboo dance and mandarin square capturing remind me of my childhood. As for the games played in mountainous areas, I have never seen them before. Today I came to play with my children, and I feel very happy.” “Children often use phones, televisions, and video games... There’s little opportunity for them to play folk games. That’s why … [Read more...] about Festival of folk games for children

An ailing woman in the northern province of Bac Giang is calling for community support to save her two children who are both struggling with leukaemia. Ngo Thi Nga, 32, from Lang Giang District’s Tien Luc Commune has been living with thyroid cancer. However, she has suspended her treatment for many months due to the family’s financial difficulties. According to Nga, in 2014, her eldest daughter Nguyen Thuy Ngan faced consecutive high fevers. After being taken to a hospital in Hanoi, she was diagnosed with leukaemia. Nga and her children Ngan fainted in her class several times and then had to suspend her studies for treatment. In 2016, her second child Nguyen Trong Khanh, three years old, faced the same symptoms as Ngan and was also diagnosed with leukaemia. Nga burst into tears after receiving the news from doctors. After giving birth to the third child Nguyen Trong Khoi in 2020, Nga felt tired and had fevers. Doctors said that she had developed thyroid … [Read more...] about Ailing woman seeks help for children facing leukaemia

Costume of Ha Nhi ethnic people in Ha Giang province. (Photo: VietnamPlus) It is hoped that 2022 will be a more optimistic year for the tourism sector. A survey revealed that up to 80 percent of Vietnamese people said they are planning vacations to make up for what the COVID-19 pandemic has deprived them of, and 43 percent said they want to experience a lesser-known place, instead of the destinations too familiar to them. It is also noteworthy that booking by tourists in Vietnam to share popular destinations is becoming a dominating trend. Ethnic minority culture paradise Up to 84 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they want to visit Meo Vac in Ha Giang province. It is a small but attractive valley in the northeast, surrounded by limestone mountains and inhabited by H’Mong and Ha Nhi ethnic groups, boasting a unique dish – thang co – cooked from the inner organs of cattle, of which 70 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they want to try during their 2022 tours. For … [Read more...] about 2022 destination selection trend of Vietnamese tourists

Dawn breaks over Da River lake.(Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) - As vaccination coverage is expanding, the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is showing signs of dying out. As a result, Vietnam’s tourism needs to quickly work out harmonious measures for the coming period of recovery. A sad economic year for the tourism sector has come to an end after many tremors caused by successive outbreaks of COVID-19 . Vietnam’s green economy in 2021 failed to recover as seen through the statistics of the yearly review, yet many experts still believe that in 2022, accelerations will be created with attention and assistance from the government. Although the pandemic is still spreading with new variants, there are grounds for us to hope the constantly expanding vaccination coverage has helped weaken the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The clock is ticking towards the day when the world can contain and roll back the pandemic, opening up chances for socio-economic recovery. That is … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s tourism in 2022: measures for recovery, acceleration

Gia Lai is an ideal destination for travelers wanting to explore the wild nature and the unique culture of the Central Hughlands ethnic groups who are known for their gong heritage. When visiting Gia Lai, you do not need to go far to find beautiful scenery. Right in its provincial capital, Pleiku, you can find scenic Bien Ho (Sea Lake), Bien Ho Che (Tea Sea Lake), Chu Dang Ya and Ham Rong volcanoes and Chu mountain. All you need is a motorbike to drive around in Pleiku in the sun and wind of the Central Highlands to reach the best sightseeing places in town. You can enjoy the gorgeous view of Bien Ho with its cool and clear air or wander in immense green tea hills in Bien Ho Che. You can also see beautiful wild sunflowers dyeing yellow the sides of old volcanoes which have slept for millions of years, or enjoy the wild and dreamy beauty of rubber forests in their season of changing leaves. For those who love adventurous trips, Kon Chu Rang and Kon Ka Kinh (an ASEAN heritage park) … [Read more...] about Gia Lai – Ideal place for travelers wanting to explore wild nature

According to its latest report on Southeast Asia, HSBC said Thailand will benefit the most from China’s reopening. It said further that tourism in Vietnam was also expected to perform well as Chinese tourists account for some 30% of international arrivals to the country. This month Khanh Hoa Province is expected to have nine charter flights which will bring Chinese visitors to Vietnam after a 3-year suspension due to the pandemic. Hotels in Hoi An, in the central province of Quang Nam, have also received bookings from Chinese tourists. Regarding trade, since 2020 ASEAN has surpassed the E.U. to become China’s largest trading partner. Last year Vietnam was one of three Southeast Asian countries, along with Indonesia and Malaysia, reporting increases in exports to China. Vietnam is also benefiting from more favorable trade ties with China because exports no longer have to undergo strict Covid testing. Concerning FDI, Japan and South Korea are the leading countries in terms of … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s tourism, trade, FDI rosy amid China’s reopening: HSBC