Bilateral trade recovery According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, after two years of COVID-19, trade between Vietnam and the UK recovered in 2021, reaching nearly US$6.6 billion. This included more than US$5.7 billion worth of Vietnam’s exports to the UK, an increase of 16.4 percent compared with 2020. Vietnamese goods at a UK supermarket Products with high export growth included fruit and vegetables (up 67 percent); coffee (up 17 percent); pepper (up 49 percent); carpets and products made of bamboo, rattan and sedge (up 56 percent); iron and steel materials (up 1,269 percent); steel products (up 100 percent) and toys and sports equipment (up 19 percent). The value of Vietnam’s imports from the UK reached nearly US$850 million, an increase of 23.6 percent compared with 2020. In the first four months of 2022, Vietnam’s exports to the UK reached an estimated US$4.8 billion with key products including seafood, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, plastic products, … [Read more...] about Vietnam-UK agreement creates leverage for bilateral trade
Farm produce preservation
Nurturing life for sea – preserve sea coral
Coral branches are cultured on rigs and closely monitored for growth (Photo: PADI Vietnam) Leader of the PADI Vietnam diving team Nguyen Ha Minh Tri said being an international diving instructor with more than 23 years of experience in the diving industry, he has witnessed the transformation of coral reefs over time in all the waters of Vietnam. In recent years, coral reefs everywhere have gradually died due to climate change, environmental pollution, and human destruction, gradually the area for coral has been significantly narrowed. According to Mr. Tri, if this situation continues, soon humans will no longer see beautiful coral reefs. Therefore, he and his fellow students and partners came up with ideas for growing coral. They will carry out the coral culture programs in the places they were going. Currently, the group includes several dozen members from localities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Kien Giang, Lao Cai, Hai Phong who have professional diving … [Read more...] about Nurturing life for sea – preserve sea coral
Green Tourism – An ideal way to spread Muong ethnic culture
That is the statement of Le Quoc Thinh, Director of Cuc Phuong Tourism Services Joint Stock Company (Vedana Resort) when introducing events aiming at promoting Cuc Phuong and Ninh Binh tourism after a long period of shutdown due to COVID-19. According to Chairman of Nho Quan district People’s Committee Hoang Khac Tiep, “Nho Quan is endowed with many historical relics and landmarks such as Van Trinh cave, Yen Quang lake, Dong Chuong lake, Cuc Phuong hot mineral water.” In particular, with the natural reserve area and new-stone-age cultural relics, Cuc Phuong National Park has received the title of Asia's leading national park for two consecutive years (2019, 2020) rated by World Travel Awards. It is worth mentioning that Nho Quan has nearly 30,000 ethnic people living in Muong villages. The strategy set by the district is to exploit existing indigenous cultural elements to combine with the trend of ecotourism, which is thriving in Ninh Binh province. Tourists have opportunities to … [Read more...] about Green Tourism – An ideal way to spread Muong ethnic culture
Huge haul in new markets for Viet Nam’s tra fish exports
Processing tra fish for export at a Sao Mai Group factory in the southern province of An Giang. Tra fish exports are projected to surge by 97 per cent year-on-year in the first five months of 2022, reaching US$1.1 billion.— VNA/VNS Photo Vu Sinh Demand for Viet Nam’s tra fish (pangasius) is up in major markets, driving the export of the catfish overseas, reports the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Tra fish exports are projected to surge by a whopping 97 per cent year-on-year in the first five months of 2022, reaching US$1.1 billion. Besides exporting to traditional markets such as the US and Europe, seafood exporters have expanded markets to take advantage of the new demand. Specifically, Viet Nam has targetted new fish markets in Mexico, Egypt and Thailand. VASEP expert Ta Ha said that the Mexican market has the largest export value in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade bloc. Tra fish … [Read more...] about Huge haul in new markets for Viet Nam’s tra fish exports
Vietnamese textile-garment industry strong but not stable
Garment production for export at Kim Dung Textile and Garment Company in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: SGGP) Dependence on imported raw materials Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, said that the total number of enterprises participating in the textile and garment sector in Vietnam, including foreign and domestic enterprises, is more than 7,000. Of which, only 18 percent of them produce fabric materials, 12 percent produce yarn, 2 percent produce other materials, and the rest are garment enterprises. This fact has put the textile industry in front of the challenge of unstable growth due to its dependence on imported raw materials. Currently, each year, Vietnam imports 100 percent of cotton with an estimated value of US$3.2 billion and 60 percent of fabric with an estimated value of $14 billion. The US is the largest cotton and fabric import market of Vietnam, followed by China, Japan, South Korea, and … [Read more...] about Vietnamese textile-garment industry strong but not stable
Vietnam to build second facility of Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Thua Thien-Hue
The Vietnam Bear Rescue Center will be located at Bach Ma National Park in the Central province of Thua Thien-Hue. The new facility will be constructed on an area of 12.7 hectares including 12 houses and 12 semi-wild houses with a total non-refund donation of US$10.5 million from Animals Asia. According to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center, on May 27, the Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , the Bach Ma National Park coordinated with the Animals Asia to organize a ceremony to publicize the project, which will be built in the administrative-service area of the Bach Ma National Park to serve over 300 species of bear in a semi-natural environment. The project is expected to start construction in 2022 and be completed in four years later. Doctor. Jill Robinson MBE, the founder and General Director of Animals Asia Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Forest Protection Department Nguyen Quoc Hieu informed that … [Read more...] about Vietnam to build second facility of Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Thua Thien-Hue
Seminar seeks measures to ensure food security and nutrition for people
The seminar was one of the activities to mark the 59th anniversary of Africa Day. Speaking at the opening ceremony, IAMES’s Head and VAECA’s President Le Phuoc Minh affirmed that as top research units on Africa of the Government, IAMES and VAECA wanted to cooperate with domestic and international organizations to annually hold Africa Day, considering it an important event to congratulate the African friends on the day as well as to strengthen mutual understanding and relationship between Vietnam and African countries. According to reports at the seminar, over the past 20 years, Vietnam has sent more than 2,000 agriculture experts to help African countries in growing rice and corn and raising fish under tripartite cooperation forms, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization – Africa – Vietnam, International Fund for Agricultural Development – Africa – Vietnam, and Japan International Cooperation Agency– Africa – Vietnam, among others. These cooperation programs have obtained … [Read more...] about Seminar seeks measures to ensure food security and nutrition for people
TV shows promoting traditional culture to be screened
The shows are the result of co-operation between VOV and the Vietnam Film Studio (VFS). Launched last month, Vietnam Journey aims to honor Vietnamese culture and tourism. The screening of these shows is a part of the effort, according to Nguyen The Ky, General Director of the VOV. “We are introducing two shows for the Tet holiday to give viewers a chance to relax and enjoy interesting stories,” he said. “The stories are told in a tender and humorous way to call on people to preserve the country’s fine traditions.” Vuong To (Beauty of Silk) tells the story of Van Phuc Silk Village in Ha Dong district, where the trade of weaving silk has been nurtured for centuries. The film depicts the process of making and designing silk, and how hard the artisans fight to preserve the traditional trade in the face of modern trends and foreign brands. Directed by Nguyen Duc Viet, the show stars Quoc Tuan, Phu Don, Vinh Xuong and Thu Hien. Xuong said he spent a long time and effort learning … [Read more...] about TV shows promoting traditional culture to be screened
New pact promotes Việt Nam-Europe fashion links
Alain Cany, EuroCham chairman and Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, chairwoman of Việt Nam International Fashion Week and President of the Council of ASEAN Fashion Designers, sign a MoU on promoting culture, lifestyle, and fashion industry links between Việt Nam and European countries. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC HCM CITY — Culture, lifestyle and fashion links between Việt Nam and Europe will be promoted under a Memorandum of Understanding signed this week by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham Vietnam) and the Aquafina Vietnam International Week (VIFW). The signing has presented an opportunity for EuroCham and its affiliated national chambers to support the development of European companies both regionally and in Việt Nam, and to assist Vietnamese companies interested in expanding their European market. It will also identify and promote the benefits of the EVFTA for both groups. It will help Việt Nam’s fashion and culture reach out to the world as well, and … [Read more...] about New pact promotes Việt Nam-Europe fashion links
Australia and Việt Nam work together on gender equality for stronger economies
HÀ NỘI — The Australian-funded Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) programme hosted a symposium, Engaging Women in Markets – Scaling up Local Successes Nationwide, in Hà Nội on Friday. Throughout the day, the GREAT programme team and Government of Việt Nam representatives discussed evidence and lessons learned from the GREAT Programme that can help inform Việt Nam’s National Target Programmes (NTPs) implementation. The NTPs and GREAT both aspire to stronger socio-economic opportunities in Việt Nam’s northwest region, particularly for the ethnic communities that call the region home. Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie talks to a successful woman joining the project in Sơn La Province at the symposium. Photo Phạm Huy GREAT is Australia’s most significant gender investment in Việt Nam, totalling AU$33.7 million (US$24.1 million). The programme works with businesses, NGOs, government and civil society partners to build more inclusive business and market … [Read more...] about Australia and Việt Nam work together on gender equality for stronger economies