Vietnamese passion fruit (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Dak Lak province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is preparing necessary conditions for the shipping of local passion fruit to China, as the fruit has been officially allowed to enter the market. The preparation includes supporting businesses and farmers in making the fruit meet related requirements. The Central Highlands province is home to 1,055ha of passion fruit, of which 884ha are yielding 14,703 tonnes annually. The planting area and production of passion fruit nationwide are continuously increasing, especially in Central Highlands localities. Currently, Vietnam grows the fruit on about 6,000ha across 46 cities and provinces with an annual output of 300,000-400,000 tonnes. With relevant negotiations beginning in 2006, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) agreed this year to pilot the import of Vietnamese passion fruit starting in July, making it the 10th Vietnamese fruit … [Read more...] about Dak Lak prepares for export of passion fruit to China
Chinas one child policy
Tourists trapped in ‘China’s Hawaii’ over Covid to start leaving
Tens of thousands of tourists stranded in a Covid-hit resort city in southern China due to travel curbs can begin leaving in batches, authorities said Tuesday, but many remain trapped. Residents and tourists in the southern Chinese province of Hainan line up to be tested for the coronavirus on Monday. — AFP More than 80,000 holidaymakers in Sanya on the island of Hainan -- often called "China's Hawaii" -- saw their vacations turn into a nightmare when officials declared a Covid emergency and cancelled flights and train ticket sales over the weekend. Sanya, home to more than a million people, is battling its worst outbreak in two years with more than 1,500 cases reported between August 1 and 9, according to official data. China is the only major economy still sticking to a zero-Covid strategy that uses snap lockdowns and long quarantine periods to contain outbreaks before they spread. The local health bureau on Tuesday announced that some tourists would be … [Read more...] about Tourists trapped in ‘China’s Hawaii’ over Covid to start leaving
Vietnam minister proposes visa exemption for US, European travelers
He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday. Hung also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis. Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies. The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year. This year, Vietnam targets five million foreign tourists, around 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The government has allowed quarantine-free entry and resumed its pre-pandemic visa exemption policy for 24 tourism markets including Western European countries from … [Read more...] about Vietnam minister proposes visa exemption for US, European travelers
Long way to go for Vietnamese durians
Workers wrap up and label durians. Vietnamese durians have made a name for themselves as a great-tasting fruit in many countries, but that's only the story's beginning. (Photo: baomoi.com) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamese durians have made a name for themselves as a great-tasting fruit for overseas consumers but still have a long way to go the maintain their position on the international scene, according to insiders. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, revealed that China , the largest importer of fresh Vietnamese durians, has allowed the fruits to be imported via official channels from July 12. However, these opportunities come with obstacles as the Chinese General Administration of Customs (CGAC) requires that Vietnamese exporting firms and growing areas register with the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the registrations must be sent to CGAC for approval before the fruit can enter the … [Read more...] about Long way to go for Vietnamese durians
Low-income earners hardly access loans for buying social houses
At the meeting ( Photo: SGGP) Today, the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly deputies delegation had a meeting to supervise the implementation of the Housing Law in the city for the 2016-2021 period to the branch of the State Bank of Vietnam in HCMC and the branch of the Bank for Social Policies in HCMC, the Department of Construction and Department of Natural Resources and Environment. At the conference, Huynh Thanh Khiet, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, said that in the period 2016-2021, nearly 15,000 apartments in 19 social housing projects were completed. In the next phase between 2021 to 2025, the southern metropolis planned to implement 25 projects with a total of more than 28,600 apartments. With nearly 15,000 apartments in 19 social housing projects, Ho Chi Minh City can satisfy the housing needs of a part of low-income people, civil servants, and public employees with housing difficulties. Accordingly, the number of social housing has not … [Read more...] about Low-income earners hardly access loans for buying social houses
Military units well carry out gratitude work
The whole military has built 1,769 gratitude houses, worth more than VND 141 billion, for national contributors and policy beneficiaries across the country. The Ministry of National Defense alone has donated VND 6 billion to assist the construction of 75 gratitude houses for national contributors. In addition, defense agencies and military units currently take care of 1,489 heroic Vietnamese mothers and foster 121 children of wounded and sick soldiers. They have presented 505 savings books, worth more than VND 5 million, to national contributors and policy beneficiaries. Apart from that, units in the whole military have bought medical equipment and facilities for convalescent centers for national contributors and provided military uniforms for wounded soldiers who are being treated at centers. Furthermore, in response to the movement of building gratitude fund in 2022, defense agencies and units have mobilized different sources to donate an estimated amount of VND 92 billion. … [Read more...] about Military units well carry out gratitude work
No ideal waste treatment technology for Vietnam yet
Vo Tien Dung, vice director of Hanoi-based Halcom Vietnam, said his business has been cooperating with German, Finnish and Japanese companies for the last 23 years, but has yet to find the best technologies to deal with Vietnam’s waste problems. It is difficult to treat typically unsorted and highly humid waste in Vietnam. For example, trash in Europe has a humidity level of around 20%, while trash in Vietnam could have a humidity level of 60-70%, he added. Even the ongoing waste-to-energy plants in Hanoi and Can Tho would need more time so their effectiveness could be evaluated, Dung said. Treating unsorted trash without the same humidity conditions as in other countries would make it hard to meet efficiency and emission standards, he added. Nguyen Quang Huan, member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Science, Technology and the Environment, said he was concerned about waste-to-energy plants. He said such technology still produces pollutants, and is merely cleaning the … [Read more...] about No ideal waste treatment technology for Vietnam yet
The Moffatts visit Sa Pa, Phu Quoc, HCMC
The Moffatts, one of the most beloved boybands the 1990s and 2000s, performed at the HAY Glamping Music Festival in Hanoi last Saturday night. Thousands of fans stood in the rain for hours to cheer their idols. Bob and Clint, two members of the boyband, visited Sa Pa, around 320 kilometers from Hanoi, earlier this month and shot a music video there to promote tourism. They stayed at the Ville de Mont Mountain Resort, which stands 1,500 meters above sea level overlooking the Muong Hoa Valley and Ham Rong Mountain. Bob posted a photo of terraced rice fields on his Instagram account. The rice fields have become a major tourist attraction in the northern highlands. On Sunday, Dave, another member of the boyband, posted on his Instagram account a video of himself walking along HCMC's Bui Vien Street, once famous as a backpacker haunt, but now equally popular with locals. The street is dotted with bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors that operate until late. The Moffatts were … [Read more...] about The Moffatts visit Sa Pa, Phu Quoc, HCMC
Malaysia’s inflation may hit double digits: Finance Minister
Kuala Lumpur – Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz has said Malaysia's inflation may reach around 11 percent if the government does not implement subsidies for essential items like fuel. Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz has said Malaysia's inflation may reach around 11%. (Photo: theedgemarkets.com) The minister told the press that Malaysia's inflation is forecast to be 2.2 percent -3.2 percent. In fact, for the first six months of the year, inflation was around 2.5 percent, and that was largely due to the large size of subsidies that the government introduced. Malaysia's inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, increased 3.4 percent year-on-year in June, led by costlier food, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said on July 22. Nonetheless, Tengku Zafrul acknowledged that the current blanket subsidy policy is not sustainable for the country, but it is necessary for economic recovery in the short term. The government is managing the economy cautiously, and the … [Read more...] about Malaysia’s inflation may hit double digits: Finance Minister
Thai businesses eye expanding trade, investment in Cambodia
The Aranyaprathet-Poipet border gate of Thailand and Cambodia (Photo: Asia News) Bangkok (VNA) – Thai businesses have set their sights on expanding trade and investment in Cambodia, especially in processed food, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, plastic, and gems and jewellery. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), said Cambodia is seeing average economic growth of 7 – 8% per year as a result of the country opening up to foreign direct investment. Cambodia has been trying to develop its tourism and agricultural sectors, but the country still lacks sufficient knowledge and modern technology, especially in terms of storage and processing in order to increase values. This offers a very good opportunity for Thai businesses to forge joint investment s with Cambodian counterparts in many sectors as above, according to Sanan, who is also chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand . He led the first post-pandemic visit to Cambodia by more … [Read more...] about Thai businesses eye expanding trade, investment in Cambodia