Processing tra fish (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)

At present, China is the second biggest importer of Vietnamese tra fish, after the US. Last year, Chinese traders bought nearly 300,000 tonnes of the fish from Vietnam, with a total value of more than 700 million USD.

Notably, the current price of fillets exported to this market is ranging from 3.5 to 3.6 USD per kg - the best export price of this product - in the context of the global economic downturn.

Vietnamese tra fish is now exported to 138 countries and territories around the world.

About 350 tra fish raising establishments in the Mekong Delta region with a total area of nearly 3,120 ha have been certificated to meet Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) standards.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), this year, tra fish exports are expected to surpass 2.4 billion USD – a record high set in 2022.

UK paper introduces amazing river cruise routes to Vietnam

UK newspaper the Telegraph has revealed its list of the top 10 river cruises in Asia, with four routes passing through Vietnam, reported VOV News.

A river cruise route along the Mekong River that brings together several countries in the region, including Vietnam and Cambodia. (Photo: Telegraph)

The magazine introduces river cruise routes along the Mekong River that brings together several countries in the region, including Vietnam and Cambodia.

“This means Vietnam’s myriad attractions can be combined with a side trip to Angkor and one of the most magnificent temple complexes in the world,” the article notes.

The Telegraph suggests that visitors choose CroisiEurope, the leading European river cruise company, when going on a trip to the region. It operates five boats on the Mekong River, including the timber-built RV Indochine which takes travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap. There are floating produce markets located near Can Tho, flower nurseries near Sa Dec, and stilted fishing villages in Tonle Sap – the largest lake in Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, the UK outlet outlines how CroisiEurope also offers numerous land extensions, with a couple of nights in Hanoi and a night on board a junk in karst-speckled Ha Long Bay on offer. Other add-ons include a six-night trip combining Hanoi and Ha Long, with visits to historical Hue on the Perfume River and the temple ruins at My Son.

Another river cruise tour mentioned in the article was Marella Cruises’ new itinerary which combines a clutch of Southeast Asia’s most captivating cities, coupled with cultural tours and visits to tropical islands and beaches.

“This one, on Marella Explorer 2, visits Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia for visits to the cultural melting pot of Malacca, and dreamy Langkawi, an island archipelago in the Malacca Strait,” the Telegraph reveals.

Coconut exports forecast to hit 1 billion USD in 2023

Coconut products have great export potential and the export value of this industry is forecast to reach 1 billion USD in 2023.

Coconut products are now exported to many countries around the world

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the meeting to introduce the Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA EXPO 2023), Mr. Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Acting General Secretary of the Vietnam Coconut Association, said that over the past 5 years, Vietnam’s coconut industry has risen to the 4th position in Asia. The industry has developed about 200 products, including some high-value products that are exported to selective markets such as Finland, thereby affirming the brand name of Vietnamese coconut in the world market.

Regarding the situation of coconut exports in 2023, Khoa said that coconut export orders are now very positive, thus, it is likely that this industry will achieve the export target of over 1 billion USD this year.

The Vietnam Coconut Association is coordinating with many industries and localities to organize activities to improve production capacity and build brands for coconut products.

In particular, VIFA EXPO is the opening activity for a series of trade promotion programs of the industry in 2023 with the purpose of targeting a wood industry market using sustainable materials from crops, including coconut trees and handicrafts from coconuts.

In the near future, the Vietnam Coconut Association will build more coconut associations in other provinces or cities across the country. In each of these provinces or cities, the association will be established by the provinces or cities and the Vietnam Coconut Association will support the members.

Ho Chi Minh City among Top 10 destinations for Asian foodies

The Canadian travel magazine The Travel has shared about 10 Asian cities that are every street food fan’s dream, in which Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is ranked second.

Dining on the sidewalk offers an enjoyable experience in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: The Travel)

On February 20, The Travel published an article suggesting the top 10 Asian cities that can be considered a dream for every street food lover. Six out of 10 destinations in the Southeast Asia region include Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), Singapore, Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Penang (Malaysia).

Writing about Ho Chi Minh City, the second most attractive destination in Asia for foodies, The Travel said “Street food is a way of life in Vietnam.”

Most people can enjoy banh mi (baguette sandwiches), chao muc (squid porridge), and xa xiu (barbecued pork) out of old-fashioned restaurants, with plastic chairs and tables on the sidewalks where locals prefer to eat their meals.

A corner of Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Booking.com)

This is not the first time that the Vietnamese southern hub’s cuisine has impressed The Travel website. This travel site also voted Ho Chi Minh City as one of the 10 most attractive culinary destinations in the world in 2023.

According to the site, Ho Chi Minh City has a unique and rich culinary culture, and dishes with irresistibly delicious flavors. Setting foot on any street of the southern city, visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious dishes with the regional identity of Vietnam.

And whether visitors dine at luxury restaurants or enjoy dishes at markets or streets, they are always accompanied by a cup of delicious iced tea./.