Its taking its toll

The regulation, approved by the European Commission (EC) on May 16, 2023, is the latest by the EU regarding green, sustainable development, specifically deforestation-free agricultural products. It sets mandatory due diligence rules for all operators and traders who place, make available or export the following commodities from the EU market: palm oil, cattle, wood, coffee, cocoa, rubber and soy. The rules also apply to a number of derived products such as chocolate, furniture, printed paper, and selected palm oil-based derivatives (used for example as components in personal care products). They will be applicable to most companies from December 2024. Micro-enterprises and small-medium enterprises would have an additional six months to comply with the regulation's requirements. Binh Phuoc's key products like rubber, cashew nuts, coffee, pepper, durian, and wood and wood products are expected to be impacted by the requirements. Under the document, the chairwoman of the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s cashew ‘capital’ takes action to comply with EU’s anti-deforestation regulations

At a working session between Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and EC representatives (Photo: VNA) Binh Phuoc (VNA) – The People’s Committee of the south-eastern province of Binh Phuoc, dubbed as Vietnam’s “capital” of cashew and rubber trees, has issued a document on the implementation of an action plan framework in response to the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR). The regulation, approved by the European Commission (EC) on May 16, 2023, is the latest by the EU regarding green, sustainable development, specifically deforestation-free agricultural products. It sets mandatory due diligence rules for all operators and traders who place, make available or export the following commodities from the EU market: palm oil, cattle, wood, coffee, cocoa, rubber and soy. The rules also apply to a number of derived products such as chocolate, furniture, printed paper and selected palm oil based derivatives (used for example as components in … [Read more...] about Binh Phuoc takes action to comply with EU’s anti-deforestation regulations

OCOP products, traditional handicrafts, and processed foods will be on display at the Hanoi Agricultural Products Festival in Soc Son District. The Hanoi Agricultural Products Festival 2023 will be held in Soc Son District from September 28 to October 1. It is an important agricultural trade promotion event in the city's activities to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day (October 10). Hoang Thi Ha, head of Soc Son District Economic Office, said the district is coordinating with Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) to organize the event with 160 booths showcasing 1,500 agricultural products, processed food, agricultural products, handicrafts, OCOP (One Commune One Product) products from Soc Son District, Hanoi and 30 provinces and cities across the country. The products exhibited at the festival are certified with standard packaging, labels and full traceability stamps. The previous iteration of the Hanoi Agricultural Products Festival held … [Read more...] about Hanoi Agricultural Products Festival to take place this month

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency on September 20, 2023, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Saint Petersburg. Photo handout via AFP Speaking at a meeting with Putin in Saint Petersburg, at which the Russian leader accepted an invitation to visit China next month, Wang Yi said the "world is rapidly moving toward multipolarity." "Economic globalization is progressing against headwinds, unilateral actions are unsustainable, and hegemonism is not popular," Wang said, according to an English readout by Beijing's Xinhua news agency. "Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order toward fairness and justice," he added. Putin, in response, told Wang "our positions coincide regarding the emergence of a multipolar world," according to a readout from the … [Read more...] about Beijing, Moscow must deepen cooperation: China foreign minister

In Saigon, the lantern streets in District 5 have become a lively hub of activity half a month before the Mid-Autumn Festival, which peaks on September 29 this year. Families from all corners of Ho Chi Minh City converge on streets like Luong Nhu Hoc, Phu Dinh, and Lao Tu. Among these, Phu Dinh walking street takes the spotlight as the epicenter of lantern shopping. Phu Dinh and Luong Nhu Hoc streets are renowned for their wide assortment of traditional handmade lanterns. These lanterns, adorned with intricate designs ranging from boats to dragons, fish and butterflies, are predominantly crafted from red cellophane. LED lights have replaced traditional candles, enhancing safety while preserving durability. These enchanting lanterns vary in size, from modest 20-centimeter versions to creations exceeding 1 meter, with prices ranging from VND20,000 to VND500,000 (US$0.80 to $20). Rabbit and pig lanterns, housed in bamboo … [Read more...] about Mid-Autumn magic hits Vietnamese cities in pre-festival spirit

There were a number of landslides along Cam Mountain in Tinh Bien Town last month following heavy rains. Authorities determined that most of the illegal homestays, built on steep slopes with temporary structures having poor load-bearing capacity, pose safety risks in the rainy season. Illegal construction on the mountain, home to Buddhist pagodas and sacred temples, has flourished since last year. Despite authorities' warnings, these homestays have remained in operation. At the end of 2022, An Giang Province decided to let these projects exist on the condition that the current status quo be maintained and assigned Tinh Bien authorities to manage these homestays. Therefore, when Tinh Bien authorities asked them to stop operating and proposed forced dismantling, the homestay owners objected. According to the Cam Mountain Tourist Area management, the homestays serve around 7,000 visitors a day and cost VND300,000-500,000. Le Trung Hieu, director of the An Giang Investment … [Read more...] about Mekong province to remove 10 homestays built illegally on sacred mountain

Phu Nhuan Jewelry transforms its business operations with a cloud computing strategy Vietnam-based company, Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ), has been consistent in its commitment to providing the highest quality products and services to customers whilst also being sustainable. To maintain its competitiveness in the market, the company has been implementing its retail strategies to get closer to its customers and provide a more complete, multi-faceted, and seamless shopping journey. Its cloud computing strategy, in particular, has accelerated the company's goals for the past two years. Before implementing the cloud computing strategy, PNJ had difficulty meeting the actual needs of the company's retail operations, especially during the peak season. For instance, on God of Fortune Day, many Vietnamese people would go to PNJ to buy gold, but heavy shopping made the experience inconvenient. PNJ has resolved this situation with comprehensive cloud-based solutions. Using the most advanced … [Read more...] about Phu Nhuan Jewelry embraces cloud computing strategy

Col. Nguyen Nhu Canh (R), Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence, and Matsuzawa Tomoko, Director for Defence Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region at the Japanese Ministry of Defence and head of the working group of Japanese experts, check the quality of the road. (Source:qdnd.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Japanese engineers who were in Vietnam to participate in a competency evaluation programme for prospective United Nations peacekeepers (CEPPP) have built a stretch of road leading to the CEPPP training ground in Hanoi. The CEPPP under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 (2021-2023) was the first of its kind to be held in Vietnam. It was co-chaired by Vietnam and Japan. The stretch of road, leading to the training ground at Battalion 31 of Brigade 28 under the Air Defence - Air Force service, is 219 metres long, which is meant to mark the … [Read more...] about Japanese engineers build road to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with Vietnam

At the ceremony in Thuan Thuan town. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) Bac Ninh (VNA) - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with the Vietnam Farmers' Union Central Committee and Bac Ninh provincial People’s Committee, held a ceremony in Thuan Thuan town, on September 16 in response to the 2023 “ Clean up the world ” Campaign. The 2023 “Clean up the world” Campaign is an opportunity for the whole social community to join hands to act for the environment and take responsibility for the environment, from small but meaningful actions, thereby actively contributing to building the future of the Earth, creating a clean environment and maintaining ecological balance for the sustainable development of humanity. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment , the “Clean up the world” Campaign was initiated by Australia and has been launched globally by the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ), since 1993. To … [Read more...] about Vietnam responds to World Clean-up Day

Vietnam ese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet. (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet attended the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the Global Governance Group (3G) held on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 20 (local time). The meeting, chaired by the Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs, was attended by representatives of the Troika of the Group of Twenty (G20) (previous, current and incoming Presidencies), as represented by Indonesia, India, and Brazil, and 30 member states of the 3G. Participants emphasised cooperation priorities in the coming time, including promoting the role of multilateralism and international solidarity in association with more equal and effective reform of global governance mechanisms, creating new driving forces to implement the sustainable development goals (SDG) on time, and enhancing strategic cooperation … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends 16th Ministerial Meeting of Global Governance Group