 |
| Workers process mango for export at a factory of the An Giang Fruit & Vegetable Joint Stock Company in Lam Dong province (Photo: VNA) |
Key agricultural products raked in 32.8 billion USD (up 22.4%), while livestock products earned 533.6 million (up 6.5%); forestry products, 17.28 billion USD (up 19.4%) and aquatic products 10.07 billion USD (up 12.2%).
Seven product groups recorded export turnover exceeding 3 billion USD, including timber and wooden products (16.2 billion USD), fruits and vegetables (7.12 billion USD), rice (5.75 billion USD), and coffee (5.48 billion USD).
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien attributed these achievements to strategic adjustments in the sector's economic structure, aligning production with market demands, and increasing the focus on sub-sectors and products with high competitiveness and values.
Since 2023, MARD has implemented projects to boost exports to major markets such as the US, China, Japan, and the EU. Simultaneously, the ministry has explored new potential markets and negotiated contracts for 2024, yielding significant results.
The ministry has emphasised trade promotion mechanisms, market access negotiations, and market development to drive exports. Efforts have also included addressing food safety concerns, responding to warnings on shipments in importing countries, and collaborating with embassies and trade counselors.
Additionally, the ministry has enhanced the role of Vietnam's agricultural counsellors abroad to strengthen communication channels and promote market information exchanges.
Alongside traditional markets like China, the US, the EU, and Japan, the ministry has actively targeted emerging markets, including Halal food markets, the Middle East, and Africa, since the start of the year.
MARD has prioritised IT applications to gather market data, forecast the agricultural market's situation, and guide production strategies. Relevant units have ramped up research and forecasting efforts to ensure timely direction for production and consumption.
Furthermore, the ministry has implemented measures to manage trade remedies and technical barriers, ensuring compliance with international commitments. It has also negotiated mutual recognition agreements and provided businesses with support in resolving trade disputes, reducing risks associated with global integration. By leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs), the sector has expanded market access and driven export growth.
About 30 million citizens benefit from volunteer activities this year
Nearly 30 million people have been supported through some 5,500 programmes, projects, and campaigns carried out by volunteer clubs, teams, and groups under the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU)’s Vietnam National Volunteer Centre in 2024, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| Youth union members in Lien Chieu district, Da Nang city, assist residents in bringing a basket boats ashore before a storm in October 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
At the opening ceremony of the third national volunteer clubs, teams, and groups festival held in Hanoi on December 27, reports from provincial and municipal youth unions said youth volunteers also handed over more than 5 million gift packages, completed over 5,000 projects, and planted some 100,000 trees. The total resources mobilised for these activities reached close to 200 billion (7.86 million USD).
In his remarks, Nguyen Tuong Lam, Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Youth Federation, said youth volunteerism has been identified as a revolutionary movement to foster the spirit of initiative, contribution, and dedication among the young generation towards the community and nation.
He noted that by 2030, youth unions and associations at all levels plan to connect, guide, and support the activities of around 3,000 volunteer clubs, teams, and groups in association with the expansion of the national volunteer network.
 |
| At a forum on voluntary resources connectivity held as part of the festival (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
This year's festival is set to feature diverse activities, including a training programme on management and coordination skills for volunteer activities and an exhibition showcasing exemplary volunteer models. The 2024 national volunteer awards and recognition of 200 outstanding clubs, teams, and groups for their contributions to volunteer efforts will also be held.
Vietnam's eco-school models, initiatives honoured
Schools winning the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 Awards were honoured at a ceremony jointly held in Hanoi on December 27 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the “For Green Future” Foundation of Vingroup JSC, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| An eco-school model in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) |
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh highlighted the significance of the awards, saying that it is a significant initiative in environmental cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The hosting of the awards not only demonstrates Vietnam’s national commitment to ASEAN but also contributes actively to developing ecological and green school models nationwide, he said.
The event honours schools that have excelled in environmental education activities; introduces eco-school models; and popularises environmental protection solutions within Vietnam's education system.
Thanh said the awards is also to spread the significance of green and ecological schools, form a network of eco-schools in the country, while seeking and supporting schools that wish to become eco-facilities, thereby laying the foundation for environmental education activities at schools across the country.
The event contributes to promoting the goal and vision of a sustainable future of the nation through building a green education system, in which each school, each teacher and each student are green ambassadors that help spread the message of a green, clean and sustainable living environment in society, he went on.
The competition received 80 entries nationwide. The award winners were selected based on three criteria, namely an action plan and programme on environmental protection, a curriculum, facilities and environmental protection activities in the community.
Dr. Le Thai Ha, Managing Director of the "For Green Future" Foundation, said students and teachers have joined hands to develop practical ecological projects, contributing to creating green living spaces and protecting the environment for present and future generations.
The awards clearly demonstrates the strategic vision of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in promoting education and action for the environment.
The winning schools will be honoured on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, to be held in Malaysia in 2025.
Held every four years, the ASEAN Eco-schools Award is presented to outstanding primary and secondary schools in ASEAN member countries to recognise those with best practices in the green school programme and encourage the participation of other schools in implementing green initiatives. The first awards was held in Malaysia in July 2012.
Last year, two schools in Vietnam were honoured at the 4th ASEAN Eco-Schools Awards, within the framework of the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in Vientiane, Laos. Nhon Nghia 1 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho was honoured in the primary school category, while Yen Lac in the northern province of Vinh Phuc was named in the list of eco-secondary schools. To date, Vietnam has had eight outstanding eco-schools.
Vietnam beat Singapore 2-0 in first leg of ASEAN Cup semifinal
Only 70 tickets were allowed to be sold to Vietnamese supporters for the first match between the Vietnam and Singapore national football teams at the 6,000-seat Jalan Besar Stadium, but all 70 supporters saw Vietnam take the advantage in the ASEAN Cup semis with a 2-0 win, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| Vietnamese footballers celebrate the win at their ASEAN Cup first semi-final against Singapore on December 26 night. (Photo: VNA) |
A rowdy crowd full of Lions supporters, a style of artificial turf that had formerly created problems for Vietnam in their draw with the Philippines, and referee decisions that did not go their way were challenges that the Golden Star Warriors faced in their first semi-final match on December 26 night.
But Nguyen Quang Hai and his teammates overcame those hurdles to claim a deserved victory with two goals in added time, courtesy of a penalty from Nguyen Tien Linh and a goal for Nguyen Xuan Son.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's team had their fifth consecutive match in which the half-time score was 0-0, as the team struggled to adapt to the artificial turf. Vietnam had seen several chances in the first half, and Dinh Thanh Binh even put the ball into Syazwan Buhari's net. But the celebrations ended prematurely for the few Vietnamese in the stands, as VAR ruled Binh offside.
More action ensued in the second half, as Vietnam subbed in starters like Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Van Vi, giving the Golden Star Warriors more chances at the goal.
Both sets of fans bit their nails at the drama that took place in the final ten minutes. In the 82nd minute, Ho Tan Tai seemingly brought down Hariss Ramli inside the penalty area, and the decision went to VAR for a review. But no penalty was given, prompting a huge gasp of relief from Vietnamese fans.
Just three minutes after Tai's incident, Brazilian-born striker Son put the ball into the back of the net, but the referee disallowed the goal as he determined Son handballed. After a VAR review the call was not overturned, despite replays showing the ball touching Son's shoulders, which would not count as a handball. A furious Coach Kim even got a booking for a protest against the decision.
Although the review did not give the goal to Vietnam, it did give the team ten minutes of added time, which later became crucial for the men in white.
The national team kept pushing forward despite the hardships. And ironically, a Singaporean handball inside the box gave Vietnam the breakthrough they needed at the 90-minute mark.
A cross inside the box was controlled well by Son, but miscommunication from Syazwan and Shakir Hamzah led to Hamzah having to handle the ball twice. The referee saw the whole situation and pointed directly to the spot, where Nguyen Tien Linh successfully dispatched the kick to grant Vietnam the lead.
The word 'deserved' could easily describe the match, as Son, who had his first worthy goal declined, was rewarded with a goal for his relentless work, tapping in from Nguyen Hoang Duc's corner to make it 2-0 to Vietnam and sealing the victory away from home.
After a night of disadvantages, Vietnam will play the second leg against Singapore in Viet Tri Stadium on December 29, with the home field advantage and the scoreline advantage on their side./.