These figures show that China continues to be the country’s second largest export market, behind only the United States.
Most notably, there were five export groups recording a turnover of US$1 billion or more, representing a rise of three categories compared to the same period from last year.
These product groups include cameras, camcorders and components with US$1.88 billion, up 102.8%; fruits and vegetables with US$1.16 billion, up 44.6%; and machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts with more than US$1 billion, up 7%.
The remaining groups are computers, electronic products, and components with US$3.98 billion, up 23.5%; as well as phones and components with US$3.47 billion, down 14%.
Among the main export product groups, only phones and components endured a downward trajectory compared to the same period from last year.
According to a report released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, due to the recovery of the world market, import and export activities during the four-month period has enjoyed robust growth with trade turnover reaching US$238.88 billion, up 15.2% on-year.
Of the figure, exports and imports soared by 15% and 15.4%, respectively, with trade surplus of US$8.4 billion.
Major Vietnamese exports markets and trading partners throughout the reviewed period have rebounded, with the United States remaining the largest export market, followed by China, the EU, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
Phu Quoc hailed as one of world’s 10 most affordable tropical destinations to visit
Phu Quoc island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has been named among the 10 most affordable tropical destinations to visit around the world, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to travel experts from Travel+Leisure magazine of the United States.
Whilst Phu Quoc does require connecting flights and has higher airfare costs than most places on the list, travelers shouldn’t let that be a deterrent as once they arrive at this slice of paradise visitors realise it has an incredible value, the publication shared.
The US magazine revealed that rooms at the top-rated Mövenpick Villas & Residences Phu Quoc start at just US$75.
Travel+Leisure also wrote that the night markets in Duong Dong overflow with cheap and delicious foods to eat, whilst catching rays on the white-sand beaches and hiking through Phu Quoc National Park are free activities to enjoy.
Mérida, the capital of Mexico's Yucatan state, topped the list; followed by Bali of Indonesia; Negril in Jamaica; and Phu Quoc in Vietnam.
Lush landscapes, reasonable rates, and frame-worthy photo opportunities are all top of the itinerary on a visit to these affordable tropical destinations, from Costa Rica to Vietnam, Travel+Leisure reported.
Three Vietnamese dishes among TasteAtlas world’s top 100 salads
Pho tron (mixed pho), Nom and Goi ga (Vietnamese Shredded Chicken Salad) are placed among the top 100 salads in the world by TasteAtlas, an international food website, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Mixed pho |
It compiled this list based on a combination of diner preferences and expert opinions, with nearly 12,437 ratings.
Pho tron is a classic Vietnamese pho variety, securing the 30th spot. This type of Pho is dry, meaning that it doesn't contain broth – instead, it's a salad with meat (beef or chicken) and noodles, according to TasteAtlas, elaborating that the dish is typical of Hanoi and especially popular during summer.
The sliced meat is marinated in salt, ginger, pepper, garlic, lime juice, and five spice powder. It's then browned in a pan and mixed with fresh greens (mint, Thai basil, lettuce, cilantro, bean sprouts), fried shallots, rice noodles, and a dressing consisting of vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, and tamarind paste. The noodle salad is often garnished with chopped peanuts and red chili peppers, while lime wedges are usually served on the side.
Nom is a traditional Vietnamese salad is ranked 42nd on the list. It's made with a combination of fresh, grated vegetables such as cabbage and turnip, along with papaya, green mango, banana flowers, cucumber slices, and sometimes even shredded boiled pork. Other common ingredients include hot chili peppers, roasted ground nuts, and grated carrots to make the salad more visually attractive and colourful.
Nom is the name in the North, while in Southern Vietnam, the salad is known as Goi. The salads are usually dressed with Nuoc cham (sauce), and they're often served with prawn crackers on the side.
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| Chicken salad |
Ranking 94th, Goi ga is a traditional Vietnamese salad. This sweet, savory, crunchy, and tangy salad is made with a combination of cooked shredded chicken, carrots, onions, cilantro, mint, and sometimes cabbage. All the salad ingredients are placed in a bowl, mixed, then drizzled with a dressing consisting of lime juice, fish sauce, chili peppers, garlic, and sugar. The salad is usually topped with roasted peanuts and crispy fried shallots before serving.
Topping the list is Greece's Dakos, a traditional Cretan dish consisting of a dry barley rusk called paximadi that is topped with crumbled myzithra cheese, chopped ripe tomatoes, whole olives, capers, fresh oregano, and a few generous splashes of high-quality olive oil. It was followed by Mechouia, a Tunisian salad made with grilled, coarsely chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, and China’s smacked cucumber, a traditional Asian dish that’s usually made with a combination of cucumbers, garlic, sesame oil, black vinegar, and soy sauce.
World’s famous pianist Boris Giltburg to perform in Vietnam for first time
Renowned classical pianist Boris Giltburg is set to hold two concerts themed “Boris Giltburg - Piano Recital” in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi on May 21 and May 22, respectively, as part the of “SOLO International Concert Series”, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
During his debut performance in Vietnam, the artist will bring several world famous pieces to the event, including “Nocturnes” composed by Chopin, “Preludes” by Rachmaninoff, “Etudes” by Scriabin, and “3 movements from Petrushka” by Stravinsky.
In particular, Giltburg will perform the Vietnamese piece “Trống cơm” (rice drum) composed by Dang Huu Phuc.
Giltburg, 40, hails from Russia and is regarded as one of the most inspiring and compelling concert pianists of this generation.
Since winning the Queen Elizabeth International Music Competition back in 2013, he has performed in the many of the most prestigious venues globally, including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, Wiener Konzerthaus, and Southbank Centre.
He has worked alongside many top orchestras and conductors from across the world, including with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic, the Czech Philharmonic, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Dresden Philharmonic, the NHK Symphony, the Santa Cecilia di Roma, and at the BBC Proms.
Along with live performances, Giltburg continues to actively captivate musicians and non-musicians alike through his social media pages which has attracted a large following of musical lovers./.