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| Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises sign a coconut purchase contract at a ceremony. (Photo: VNA) |
Addressing the event, Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said the Chinese market’s opening to Vietnamese fresh coconuts brings a golden opportunity.
With a population of over 1.4 billion and domestic supply meeting only about 10% of the demand, China represents a great potential market for Vietnam’s coconut products, Dat said, noting that if this opportunity is fully tapped, coconut export to China can bring an additional 200-300 million USD as early as 2024, helping Vietnam’s coconut export earnings soon reach the 1-billion-USD goal.
The official export of fresh coconuts from Ben Tre to China marks a new milestone in ongoing efforts to expand markets and elevate the position of Vietnamese agricultural products on the international market, Dat stressed.
Vietnam's position in the global coconut market is impressive, ranking 6th among the top 10 countries in terms of cultivation area and output. With roughly 200,000 ha of coconut plantations, the country produces around 1.9 million tonnes of coconuts annually. Ben Tre province makes a significant contribution to this, producing up to 688 million coconuts in 2022.
Vietnam has so far exported fresh coconuts to 14 countries with total volume exceeding 26.7 million coconuts per year. This figure highlights the immense potential of the coconut industry nationwide and in Ben Tre in particular.
Dat urged production, packaging, and export units to strictly abide by food safety regulations, quality standards, and phytosanitary procedures as regulated in the protocol on phytosanitary requirements for Vietnamese fresh coconuts exported to China, and related regulations.
With the joint efforts made by local departments and agencies, Ben Tre now has 133 planting areas and 14 packing facilities granted with codes to export to China.
Vietnamese hotels and resorts win big at World Luxury Awards 2024
Three hotels and seven resorts based in the nation’s top tourism hotpots were honoured in various categories at the World Luxury Awards 2024, an event which acknowledges excellence in the luxury hotel industry as voted on by guests, travelers, and industry players alike, reported VOV News.
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| Furama-Ariyana Da Nang resort wins World Luxury Hotel Awards. (Photo courtesy of Furama-Ariyana Da Nang) |
Furama-Ariyana Da Nang resort located in the central coastal city of Da Nang was named as the global winner of the World Luxury Hotel Awards category.
Its facilities Don Cipriani's restaurant and Ariyana Convention Centre Da Nang were also honoured in the World Luxury Restaurant Awards and World Luxury Travel Awards categories, respectively.
Furthermore, the resort’s spa facility V-senses Wellness & Spa, which draws inspiration from the Cham ethnic culture and ancient Vietnamese architecture, topped the lists of the Best Theme Spa design-Regional Winner and Luxury Destination Spa-Country Winner in the World Luxury Spa Awards category.
Elsewhere, the resort Citadines Pearl Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam took the lead in the Luxury Family All-inclusive Hotel, Luxury Ocean View Resort, and Luxury Wedding Resort categories.
Caravelle Saigon Hotel located in Ho Chi Minh City was also announced as the winner of the Best Luxury City Hotel in Vietnam award.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards was first launched back in 2006 with the aim of honouring luxury hotels and resorts for their world-class amenities and outstanding guest service. Over 300,000 international travelers voted during a four-week period in order to select the winners of each category.
Fruit and vegetable exports enjoy growth in most markets
Fruit and vegetable export turnover reached 296 million USD in the first half of October, down 204 million USD compared to the second half of September, according to preliminary statistics recently released by the General Department of Customs.
In total, from the beginning of the year to September 15, fruit and vegetable exports brought in 5.94 billion USD, an increase of 1.12 billion USD compared to the same period last year.
Most fruit and vegetable export markets have grown from 30% to nearly 90% compared to the same period last year.
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| By the end of September, durian contributed over 2.5 billion USD to export turnover. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) |
The most important contributor to fruit and vegetable export results is still durian. As of the end of September, durian contributed over 2.5 billion USD to export turnover. Other fruits such as bananas, mangoes and dragon fruits also contributed millions of USD.
The largest customer of the Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry is China, when 65% of Vietnamese fruits are exported to this market. Last year, durian for the first time joined the billion-dollar commodity group thanks to strong consumption from the billion-people market of China. This year, fresh coconut and frozen durian were also officially shipped to the market.
According to the General Department of Customs by the end of September, fruit and vegetable exports to the Chinese market reached 3.79 billion USD, a sharp increase of 37.82% over the same period last year and accounting for 67.2% of the total fruit and vegetable export turnover.
Another positive signal for fruit and vegetable exports was that in mid-October, official shipments of fresh coconuts to China by road were carried out through the border gates of Lao Cai and Lang Son.
Tour of Hanoi’s architectural heritage designed
This is part of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024, scheduled to take place on November 9.
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| Visitors participate in a walking tour to learn about Hanoi’s architectural heritage. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
The organizers of the event said that this year’s festival, themed “Creative Crossroads”, will introduce Hanoi’s architectural heritage with about 100 design, performance and parade activities.
The organizers have worked with the Hanoi Children’s Palace, the Vietnam National Museum of History, the State Guest House, the Hanoi Opera House and the University of Hanoi to prepare for the festival. These are the architectural heritages where the main activities will take place.
One of the highlight activities is a tour to visit these architectural heritages. Visitors will learn about and experience the exterior and interior of architectural works associated with Hanoi’s history. The story and mysteries behind each work will help visitors have more interesting experiences.
According to the organizers, during the festival, these will also be places to display creative works and perform art. Travel agencies will coordinate to build this “creative tour” and they will mobilize a team of tour guides who are knowledgeable about Hanoi.
The organizers are considering using technology solutions to help people and tourists easily visit and experience the tour.
Vietnam becomes largest banana supplier to China
Vietnam became the largest banana supplier to China in the first eight months of 2024, with an export volume of 459,940 tons, worth 189.82 million USD, up 19.6% in volume and 0.8% in value over the same period last year, according to data from the Chinese Customs.
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| Vietnamese banana products have a wide path to export to the Chinese market. (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
Vietnam’s banana market share in China’s total imports increased from 31.33% in the first eight months of 2023 to 40.71% in the first eight months of 2024. Also in the first eight months of 2024, China reduced banana imports from the Philippines and Cambodia.
Thus, the Vietnamese banana industry has replaced the Philippines as the biggest supplier and is gaining an advantage in the Chinese market. The reason is said to be unfavorable weather in the Philippines, leading to output reduction and higher prices.
Although Philippine bananas are still popular in the Chinese market thanks to their flavor, the scarcity of supply and higher costs have created conditions for Vietnamese bananas to expand their market share.
Statistics from the Chinese Customs also show that in the first eight months of 2024, China’s banana imports reached approximately 1.13 million tons, worth 592.1 million USD, down 7.9% in volume and 23% in value compared to the same period last year.
In the first eight months of 2024, China’s average import price of bananas from the world reached 524 USD a ton, down 16.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Of which, the average import price of bananas from most sources decreased, except for Mexico./.