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| Durian predicted to hit the export target of 1.5 billion USD this October. (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnam posted 4.2 billion USD in fruit and vegetable exports during the first nine months, surging nearly 72% year on year and breaking the record of 3.81 billion in 2018, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association (VINAFRUIT) estimated nine-month imports at about 1.46 billion USD, falling 0.1%.
The biggest importers of Vietnam's fruits and vegetables are China, the US, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Japan, and the Netherlands. Among them, only shipments to the US dropped slightly but rose sharply in the others.
Exports to China surpassed 2.26 billion USD, jumping 134% from a year earlier. This market was followed by the Netherlands (up 50%), the RoK (18%), and Japan (6%). China also topped foreign buyers of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, accounting for almost 64%, followed by the US, the RoK, Japan, and the Netherlands, statistics show.
Notably, durian continued to enjoy strong export growth. It generated more than 1.28 billion USD in export value during January - August, shooting up 700% from the same period last year.
The surge was attributable to the export via the official channel to China, which imported nearly 1.15 billion USD of durian, mainly fresh one, during the period. Thanks to that, this fruit is predicted to hit the target of 1.5 billion USD this October.
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| Vietnam earned 4.2 billion USD in fruit and vegetable exports during the first nine months of 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
In addition, other fruits also posted good growth in foreign earnings such as jackfruit, mango, lychee, water melon, pomelo, and longan.
A slight decrease was seen in dragon fruit exports, to nearly 450 million USD, due to a plunge in the shipments to China and the US.
However, VINAFRUIT is looking forwards to a rebound in dragon fruit revenue since China usually has high demand for this fruit by the year’s end.
With the US’s recent licensing of Vietnamese coconut and the negotiation on the official export of coconut to China, this fruit is also hoped to quickly become a billion-USD commodity in the coming time.
All those factors are expected to help further raise fruit and vegetable exports in the time ahead.
CN Traveler names Phu Quoc among world’s top island
Boasting long beaches with gleaming white sand lying serenely along inviting turquoise waters, Phu Quoc island off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has been honoured by the American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CN Traveler) as one of the world’s top islands in 2023, according to Vietnam News Agency.
CN Traveler unveiled the Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 on October 3, with Phu Quoc making it to the list for the second consecutive year.
The Vietnamese island secured a spot in the Asian island category, ranking 8th with 88.89 points. It was followed by Japan’s Okinawa & Ryuku islands, and the Philippinies’ Siargao island.
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| The poetic beauty of Sao beach on Phu Quoc island. (Photo: Sun Group) |
In 2015, Condé Nast Traveler’s readers voted Phu Quoc’s Sao beach as one of the ten pristine and tranquil beaches in the world, alongside with other renowned destinations such as Fiji and Maldives.
Besides stunning landscape, the pearl island is among the most alluring destinations in Vietnam, owing to a kaleidoscope of cultural-historical experiences, and various kinds of accommodations – from affordable housing to luxurious resort that it has offered.
Foreign media has praised Phu Quoc as a “rising star” in the global tourism map thanks to its radical changes to attract visitors. Charming Sunset Town, which was recently put into operation in the southern part of the island, has been hailed by Yonhap News of the Republic of Korea as it offers visitors a unique experience to enjoy the Mediterranean beauty in a tropical nation. Meanwhile, Traveller magazine of Australia affirmed that every corner of Sunset Town will amaze visitors.
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| Sunset Town with Mediterranean vibes and romance has been praised by international media. (Photo: Sun Group) |
The iconic attractions of Phu Quoc include the Hon Thom cable car - the longest 3-rope cable car system in the world that takes tourists from the centre of An Thoi town to Hon Thom island, and Kiss The Stars – Asia’s largest show of multimedia technology on water.
Besides, a visit to pepper farms, pearl farms, Ham Ninh fishing village or Phu Quoc National Park, and a try of local food such as “bun quay” (vermicelli with fish cake, shrimp cake, squid and beef) will help travellers get a deeper insight into local culture.
Yonhap News also called Phu Quoc “Vietnam’s Maldives” as the island is housing an array of top-notch resorts that meet requirements of the most fastidious travelers seeking exquisite accommodations, including JW Marriot Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald, New World Phu Quoc Resort and Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort.
Being honoured by CN Traveler as among the world’s top islands for the second year in a row, Phu Quoc has affirmed its position in the global tourism . Its recognition on the world travel map has been rapidly increasing. From an unknown island, Phu Quoc has become the apple in the eyes of travel aficionados as it has been praised by prestigious magazines and tourism organisations.
Programme launched to help Hanoi, Nghe An businesses further connection, cooperation
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| Hanoi's typical products are introduced at a promotion event in northern province of Yen Bai. (Photo: kinhtedothi.vn) |
Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) will hold a programme to promote Hanoi’s investment, trade and tourism in the central province of Nghe An from October 27-29, according to Vietnam News Agency.
According to the HPA, the event will take place at Ho Tung Mau pedestrian street in Vinh city with about 50-60 booths introducing products and services of businesses from Hanoi, Nghe An and other localities.
There will be a space dedicating to Hanoi’s tourism and a trade promotion conference between Hanoi and Nghe An with the participation of about 200 delegates from the two localities and businesses.
Nguyen Anh Duong, HPA director said that the conference offers an opportunity for Hanoi and Nghe An to introduce their investment and business environment and connect their businesses.
The promotion programme is expected to be a place to connect producers, suppliers and buyers from Hanoi, Nghe An and other localities nationwide, which helps meet people's consumption needs, stabilise prices, and effectively implement the campaign "Vietnamese people use Vietnamese goods", Duong said.
Earlier, from September 28 to October 2, 2023, HPA also organised a similar programme to promote trade, investment and tourism cooperation ties between Hanoi and the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai./.