Photo for illustration (Source: laodong.vn)
Most notably, tariffs placed on Vietnamese cashew nuts imported into the EU have been slashed to 0%, as opposed to the previous figures of between 7% and 12%, according to the Voice of Vietnam.
Last year, Vietnam exported 135,000 tonnes of cashew nuts to the EU, representing a rise of 16.5% in volume and 7.9% in value compared to 2020.
During the initial four months of this year, cashew exports to this market reached 48,680 tonnes worth US$290.23 million, up 21.8% in volume and 21.4% in value month on month.
The Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and Italy are currently Vietnam’s ten leading cashew export markets within the EU.
The Netherlands alone makes up the largest consumer with a market share accounting for approximately 60%, followed by Germany (47%), the UK (40.6%), France (48%), and Spain (37.5%).
Dang Hoang Giang, general secretary of the Vietnam Cashew Association, said the EU is currently the country’s second largest cashew nut export market, representing 23% of the output and 22% of the total value of the entire industry that is anticipated to open up bright prospects ahead for local cashew nuts to retain its leading position in the market.
The executive recommended that local businesses strive to gain greater insights into EU regulations on imports through law firms in order to receive stronger support in their business transactions in an attempt to further penetrate and maintain a strong foothold in the stringent market.
Vietnamese firms must carefully study the EVFTA to avoid violations of export contracts which may lead to fines or cause firms to be involved in scams, such as the recent one relating to 100 containers of Vietnamese cashew nuts exported to Italy, Giang noted.
The expert also underscored the necessity of learning about the consumer tastes as EU consumers are typically keen on spiced cashews, chocolate covered cashews, and other products made from cashew, noting that the local cashew industry must prioritise value added cashew products for the EU market.
This year, the cashew industry has set an export target of US$3.8 billion, an increase of US$200 million compared to last year.
Foreign media highlight Vietnam’s SEA Games football victory
ESPN ran a front-page story headlined “Vietnam retain Southeast Asian Games gold medal against Thailand to prove they are still force to be reckoned with,” saying “even at the simplest level, it was a victory with plenty of significance.”
Vietnamese male football team wins gold at SEA Games 31 (Photo: VNA)
With a 1-0 victory over Thailand on May 22 – courtesy of the sumptuous 83rd-minute header from Nham Manh Dung – Vietnam claimed back-to-back gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games men's football tournament, it reported.
It was only their second championship since breaking their gold-medal duck in 2019, ESPN said, adding that “the triumph was typical of the football that has become synonymous with Vietnam under Park Hang-seo - with organisation and efficiency the hallmarks of the game plan.”
“Perhaps the most impressive aspect of their gold medal-winning efforts is that it was down with a new generation of prospects and not the golden generation that has fuelled much of Vietnam's recent success.”
Thailand’s Siam Sports described the 0-1 loss Thailand suffered as “heartbreaking.”
According to the Vietnam News Agency, French’s news agency AFP highlighted the exciting atmosphere in Vietnam after the win, reporting thousands of people waving flags poured into the streets of Hanoi and other cities after the SEA Games hosts beat fierce rivals Thailand 1-0 in the men's football final.
“Defending their football crown from the 2019 Games, the home team came out on top of a tough match in front of a capacity 40,000 crowd at Hanoi's rocking My Dinh stadium,” it said.
“Downpours had drenched Hanoi all day, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of red-clad spectators who began arriving for the clash several hours before it began in an effort to grab a prime seat,” according to AFP.
The Vietnamese cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, erupted as the home team held on for a narrow, nervy win, it stated.
Petrol prices adjusted up over 600 VND per litre
The retail prices of oil and petrol continued to rise from May 23 following the latest adjustment by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Finance.
Accordingly, from 3pm, the price of RON95 bio-fuel RON95 was raised by 670 VND per litre to 30,650 VND (1.32 USD) per litre, while that of E5 RON92 rose by 680 VND per litre to 29,630 VND (1.28 USD) per litre.
Photo for illustration (Source: kenh14.vn)
Meanwhile, the price of diesel oil was down by 1,100 VND per litre to 25,550 VND (1.1 USD) per litre. A decrease of 660 VND per litre was also seen in the price of kerosene to 24,400 VND (1.05 USD), reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Since the beginning of this year, the retail prices of petrol have been adjusted up nine times and down for only three times.
According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), the hike in petrol prices is the major factor pushing up CPI in the first four months of this year. Domestic petrol prices surged 48.84 percent year on year, which led to a 1.76 percentage point rise in CPI.
The average CPI for the first four months of this year rose 2.1 percent year on year, higher than 0.89 percent recorded in the same period last year, but lower than the increases in the January-April period in 2017-2020. The core inflation was also up 0.97 percent.
Vietjet offers free borderless flying to SEA Games 31 football champions
Sovico group, the co-founder of Vietjet Air, has offered one year of free flights on all domestic and international routes of Vietjet to all members of the Vietnamese men’s and women’s football teams to thank them for bringing pride and happiness to fans across the country.
Photo for illustration (Source: VNA)
The two teams won the gold medals in football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) hosted by Vietnam, thus successfully defending their SEA Games championship and marking the second time that both the male and female football teams won the SEA Games, said the Vietnam News Agency.
With the philosophy of bringing good values to the community and society, the Sovico group always pays attention and accompanies Vietnam sports and tournaments.
The new-age carrier Vietjet has not only revolutionised the aviation industry in Vietnam but also been a pioneering airline across the region and around the world. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations and performance, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers’ demands.
Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, the airline was awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars in 2018 and 2019 by the world’s only safety and product rating website airlineratings.com. It was listed as one of the world's 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in 2018 and 2019. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organizations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.
Dong Thap sets World Record for making 200 lotus-based dishes
The World Records Union (WorldKings) and the Vietnam Records Organisation (Vietkings) have recognised the first Dong Thap Lotus Festival 2022 as the world's largest event of processing and presentation of 200 lotus-based dishes.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, a WorldKings decision on the recognition has been presented to the People's Committee of the Mekong Delta province.
A lotus-based dish (Photo: VNA)
Boasting large lotus growing areas and a rich culinary culture, Dong Thap province organised the processing and presentation of 200 lotus-based dishes with the aim of promoting the local specialties and introducing domestic and foreign friends to the culinary quintessence of Vietnam in general and the locality in particular.
At the first Dong Thap Lotus Festival 2022 themed "Lotus of a new day", 10 culinary experts and 50 chefs were on hand to process and present 200 delicacies made from various parts of the lotus plant, such as lotus root, lotus flower stem, lotus leaf, lotus seeds and lotus seed heart.
After completion, 200 dishes were presented in the shape of a 10-petal blooming lotus./.