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| Illustrative image (Source: VNA) |
The figure was a record that the sector has achieved after over two decades joining the global market, he noted, adding that the export value is projected to hit 11 billion USD in 2022.
In the 11-month period, most of aquatic products posted double-digit growth in export, at between 18% and 77%. Notably, shrimps and Tra fish earned 4.3 billion USD and more than 2 billion USD, up 30% and over 80% annually, respectively. Meanwhile, the turnover of tuna exceeded 1 billion USD for the first time.
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| Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) |
Hoe attributed the remarkable growth to Vietnam’s activeness regarding materials and production.
He suggested setting an export target of 20 billion USD in the time to come, given the world’s tremendous demand.
However, VASEP also forecast challenges facing the sector in the time to come, as the global economy is entering a phase of slowdown and increasing inflation. The sector is likely to experience higher inventory level and fierce competition from competitors offering low cost and prices like India and Ecuador.
Ho Chi Minh City develops food streets to attract tourists
Ho Chi Minh City is focusing on developing food streets to attract more tourists and make them spend more during their stay in the city, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Food offered at a kiosk on a food street (Photo: vntrip.vn) |
Alber, a German tourist, arrived at Ho Thi Ky food street in District 10 at the suggestion of a taxi driver while visiting Ho Chi Minh City. He said that this was one of his unique experiences in the city.
Nguyen Tam, a kiosk owner on this street, said that seeing more and more foreign tourists to the food street, he added an English version of his menu for customers to choose dishes quickly, so that his kiosk can serve more and help popularise Vietnamese dishes.
At present, Ho Chi Minh City’s districts have orientations to develop nightlife tourism and economy, including the opening of more food and pedestrian streets.
Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism said that localities when building plans for such streets should consider their own unique and different factors to create a highlight and brand for each street.
According to a plan submitted by the Department of Transport to the municipal People's Committee in July, from now to 2025, there will be 22 more pedestrian streets in the downtown city.
These streets are expected to contribute to improving the attractiveness, promoting tourism, trade and service activities in the central area where many historical monuments, scenic spots, and unique culture and architectural works are located.
First batch of pomelo officially shipped to US market
An initial batch of pomelo originating from southern Ben Tre province was officially exported to the United States on November 28, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
A ceremony to mark the event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ben Tre provincial administration.
The move comes following nearly six years of negotiations, and Ben Tre is the first locality to export pomelo to the demanding market.
Ngo Tuong Vy, general director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Group Joint Stock Company, that exported the first batch of pomelo to the US, emphasised that the US strictly controls pest contamination in fruit, a factor which led the firm to take time to train farmers and change farming practice.
The company has initiated plans to improve linkages and introduce pomelos into large supermarket chains throughout the US such as Costco and Walmart, Vy revealed.
According to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam is home to 105,400 ha of land under pomelo cultivation that yields nearly 905,000 tonnes of fruit annually, opening up bright prospects for the fruit to gain entry into the US market.
However, to export pomelo to the US, the department noted local businesses are required to meet the stringent import conditions set by the importers in terms of growing area, packaging plants, and irradiation capacity.
At present, the Plant Protection Department is coordinating with relevant agencies to train farmers and export companies on import requirements from the US.
Simultaneously, localities are working closely with the Plant Protection Department in order to set up growing area codes for the export of green-skinned pomelo to the demanding market.
Pomelo is the seventh fresh Vietnamese fruit licensed to enter the US market, following mango, longan, lychee, dragon fruit, rambutan, and star apple.
Remains of 11 Vietnamese martyrs found in Cambodia
As part of efforts to search and collect the remains of national martyrs, team K72 of the Binh Phuoc provincial Military Command have found 11 sets of remains of fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Cambodia, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| K72 team members are searching for the remains of Vietnamese soldiers in Cambodia (Photo: VOV) |
At present, one of the remains has been identified, with the other identities of the remains still being unknown.
The K72 team initially began its search for the remains of Vietnamese soldiers in Cambodia on November 7. As scheduled, the team will end the first phase of the 2022 - 2023 period on January 6, 2023.
The remains are expected to be repatriated and then re-buried at the martyrs’ cemetery in Binh Phuoc province./.