Fruit and vegetable processors are urged to adopt advanced technologies to improve export value. Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover has risen 29% year-on-year to US$1.9 billion in the first five months of this year, enabling the sector to reach US$4 billion in exports in 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Fruit and vegetable exports grossed US$982 million in the first quarter of this year, up 16.2% compared to the same period in 2022, with sales to the Chinese market showing impressive growth. China imported $805 million worth of Vietnamese products, accounting for 80% of the market share. MARD stressed that in foreign markets, including China, Vietnamese fruits face stiff competition from rivals from Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. "Export prospects in the second half of the year will be better as many countries favor Vietnamese agricultural products," it added. Vietnamese durian for exporting. … [Read more...] about Vegetable and fruit exports expected to hit $4 billion this year
Vietnamese enterprises
Old Vietnamese publications in romanized script on display in Paris
On display are over 20 publications chosen among more than 1,000 works published during the first development stage of Quoc Ngu in the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, that the University Library of Languages and Civilizations (BULAC) has collected so far. The exhibition, entitled "Chu Quoc ngu, a fundamental factor in the renewal of Vietnamese culture from 1860 to 1945," will run until May 31. The exhibits include the first novels of Vietnam written in Western style such as “Thay Lazaro Phien” (Teacher Lazaro Phien) by Nguyen Trong Quan which was published in 1887, or “Chuyen doi xua” (The story of old life), which was released in 1866; and translated versions of some well-known Chinese and French works such as "The Story of Three Kingdoms" (1909) and “The Miserable” (1926). There are also the first issues of Gia Dinh newspaper published in July 1865 or Nam Phong magazine (1923). According to Nguyen Thi Hai, who is in charge of the exhibition, BULAC's … [Read more...] about Old Vietnamese publications in romanized script on display in Paris
French newspapers praise Vietnamese – French filmmakers
The Le Monde daily said along with the main cast, Hung has made a mark with a highly artistic film about cuisine and the art of living. The film not only portrays a love story in the end of the 19th century but also celebrates the art of fine dining in the French style. Meanwhile, the Le Figaro daily compared the portrayal of the characters in Hung's "La Passion de Dodin Bouffant" to the performance of Catherine Deneuve in the iconic French film "Peau d'âne" or the outstanding performance of Stéphane Audran in the film "Festin de Babette" which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1988. Recalling Hung's success with the film "The Scent of Green Papaya" (L'Odeur de la papaye verte), which earned him the Golden Camera award in 1993, the article's author believed that "La passion de Dodin Bouffant" will surely satisfy food enthusiasts, who are abundant in France. Born in 1962 in the central city of Da Nang, Hung has affirmed his reputation in European and … [Read more...] about French newspapers praise Vietnamese – French filmmakers
Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader
Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US in 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The current trends in economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the US guarantee big growth in two-way trade and investment in next 10 years and warrant upgrading the partnership to a strategic level, said Ted Osius , President and CEO of the US - ASEAN Business Council ( USABC ). In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive partnership (July 2013 - 2023), the former US Ambassador to Vietnam said trade and investment play a big role in this relationship. The US is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner and biggest export destination. In 2022, bilateral trade reached a record high of 138.9 billion USD. Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US. The US was the biggest export market of Vietnam last year. Vietnam’s annual export to … [Read more...] about Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader
Smart border gate control proposed to facilitate trade of farm produce with China
Customs officials checks the transportation of goods at Huu Nghi International Border Gate via a digital border gate platform. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan Smart border gate control should be launched to prevent congestion and facilitate cross-border trade in farm products between Viet Nam and China. The proposal was raised at the working session between Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China’s Guangxi Province on Tuesday on measures to promote the trade exchange of farm produce between the two countries. Guangxi was the largest gateway for agricultural exports from Viet Nam to China. Statistics of the China Customs showed that around US$350.4 million worth of agricultural products was imported to China via border gates with Guangxi Province in the first four months of this year, accounting for 19.7 per cent of Viet Nam’s total agricultural exports to China. According to Nanning Customs, the peak harvest seasons for fruits such as durian and mango are … [Read more...] about Smart border gate control proposed to facilitate trade of farm produce with China
Various activities held for Agent Orange/Dioxin victims and national contributors
The program was jointly organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin, the Green Leaf Charity Fund of Dong Cao Pagoda (Thai Binh province), Thai Nam Property Management and Development Joint Stock Company, and the Associations of AO/Dioxin victims in Hai Duong and Thai Binh provinces. In Hai Duong, the organizing panel presented 100 gift packages, worth VND 700,000 each, to AO victims in the districts of Binh Giang, Thanh Mien, and Gia Loc while in Thai Binh province, the organizers gave 100 gifts to AO victims in Thai Thuy and Kien Xuong districts. At the event, local authorities and benefactors expressed their hope that in the coming time, there would be more enterprises and individuals accompanying the program to support AO victims and needy people to stabilize their lives. * On the same day, the Lam Dong provincial Military Command held a ceremony to start the construction of a gratitude house for the family of a national contributor in … [Read more...] about Various activities held for Agent Orange/Dioxin victims and national contributors
Coach Park Hang-seo awarded VUFO’s friendship insignia
It is the VUFO’s most noble distinction honoring Park's significant contribution to the Vietnamese football and the friendly and cooperative relations between the people of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK). Speaking at the event, Nguyen Phuong Nga said the bilateral ties have become a successful model based on political trust, vibrant economic cooperation, and a close attachment in people-to-people exchanges. She attributed that to the important contribution of people’s organizations and individuals from both countries, including Park. As the head coach of the Vietnamese national football team from 2017 to 2022, Park trained and improved the talent of players, helping them gain confidence and bring glory to Vietnam at regional and international tournaments, including winning the 2018 AFF Cup championship, two gold medals in men's football at the 30th SEA Games in 2019 and the 31st SEA Games in 2021, becoming the second runner-up at the 2018 U23 Asian Cup, securing the fourth … [Read more...] about Coach Park Hang-seo awarded VUFO’s friendship insignia
ASEAN, RoK boost business ties in food, beverage
Ambassadors from ASEAN member states take a tour around the ASEAN Trade Fair as part of Seoul Food 2023, one of the largest food exhibitions in Asia, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on May 30.(Photo courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre) Seoul – The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) on May 30 opened an ASEAN Trade Fair in the framework of the Seoul Food 2023 (SF2003) to showcase food and beverage products from ASEAN countries and create opportunities for ASEAN companies to connect and establish business partnerships with partners from the Republic of Korea (RoK). In his remarks at the opening ceremony, AKC Secretary General Kim Hae-yong said that since 2009, the centre has organised many trade fairs and seminars to assist ASEAN's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in finding their way into the Korean market, contributing to promoting vibrant trade activities between the two regions. A seminar on capacity building and enhancing value of ASEAN-Korea food was also held within the … [Read more...] about ASEAN, RoK boost business ties in food, beverage
Apple retailers set for price competition shake-up
Apple on May 17 announced the expansion of the Apple Store online into Vietnam. Customers throughout the country can now shop direct with Apple and receive a service delivered by dedicated team members ready to share their expertise in Vietnamese. Meanwhile, in mid-May, eDiGi, Vietnam’s foremost premium Apple retailer, announced the closure of its store after five years. The store entered the market when official Apple products were struggling to compete against smuggled counterparts. Backed by one of Vietnam’s top retail companies, IPP Group, eDiGi aimed to carve a niche for itself in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The accolades poured in as eDiGi secured the coveted Apple Premium Reseller and Apple Service Provider certifications, becoming the country’s pioneering haven for Apple aficionados seeking unrivalled services. However, eDiGi found itself grappling with a market where affordable prices outweighed immersive shopping experiences, and it struggled to … [Read more...] about Apple retailers set for price competition shake-up
Support to continue in form of VAT cut
The National Assembly (NA) will discuss the VAT reduction from the existing 10 per cent rate to 8 per cent on June 1 before receiving an approval from NA deputies in a resolution slated for June 24, the last day of the ongoing fifth session. The VAT cut proposed by the government is set to be applied from July 1 to the end of 2023 for all types of goods and services currently subject to a 10 per cent VAT rate. The initiative is part of Resolution No.43/2022/QH15 released early last year on fiscal and monetary policies supporting the Programme on Socioeconomic Recovery and Development. Consumers of many types can benefit from VAT cuts, photo Le Toan Under Resolution 43, the 2 per cent cut was applied last year for goods and services subject to a 10 per cent rate, except for various goods and services such as telecommunications, IT, financial and banking activities, securities and insurance, trading of real estate, metal and precast metal products, mining products … [Read more...] about Support to continue in form of VAT cut