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| Overseas Vietnamese join the Homeland Spring 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) |
The programme, themed "Vietnam – rising in the new era", is an annual event with great significance for the Vietnamese community abroad, helping to strengthen the connection between the community and the home country.
It will see the participation of leaders, former leaders of the Party and State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from various ministries, sectors, and localities.
A highlight of the programme is a Vietnamese Food Festival and an art exchange programme at the National Convention Centre, which will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television channels VTV1 and VTV4 on the evening of January 19, 2025.
On this occasion, the organisers extend a warm invitation to overseas Vietnamese living, working, and studying abroad to register for the event through this link: https://shorturl.at/aTPqX. Registration is open until December 22, 2024.
The organising committee advises overseas Vietnamese to provide accurate and complete information, particularly email addresses and valid identification documents. Those with successful registrations will receive a confirmation email.
For assistance, overseas Vietnamese can reach out to Nguyen Phu Hai at the Department of General Research under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via phone number (84 - 24) 8240401 - 8240404 (ext. 103), and email address: xuanquehuong.bng@gmail.com.
The Homeland Spring programme has become an annual tradition that connects Vietnamese people worldwide with their homeland, especially during the Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival celebrations. It reflects the Party and State’s care, responsibility, and affection for the overseas Vietnamese community abroad while further strengthening the bonds between them and the Fatherland.
Shrimp exports expected to hit 4 billion USD in 2024
With double-digit growth in key markets, Vietnam's shrimp exports are projected to rake in 4 billion USD in 2024, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the figures of insiders.
While this figure is lower than the record of 4.3 billion USD achieved in 2022, it marks a strong recovery compared to 2023, when shrimp exports totalled only 3.4 billion USD. This recovery highlights the resilience of the shrimp industry as it continues to regain momentum.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports showed impressive growth in the first 11 months of 2024, reaching nearly 3.6 billion USD, a 22% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the shrimp sector is performing well in several key markets. Exports to both US and European Union have shown consistent growth, while China’s recent policies to stimulate domestic consumption could further drive demand for Vietnamese shrimp.
Along with an uptrend in shrimp export prices, the processed shrimp sector is growing rapidly, marking a shift towards higher value-added products.
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| Processing shrimp for exports (Photo: VNA) |
However, experts held that the Vietnamese shrimp industry faces significant challenges that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth.
Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stressed that, to compete on the international market, Vietnam must improve shrimp quality and reduce production costs. Key issues include enhancing the quality of shrimplets, managing breeding cycles, controlling diseases, lowering production costs, and accurately forecasting the consumption patterns of importing markets. Addressing these challenges is vital to improving the shrimp value chain and boosting farmers’ incomes.
Meanwhile, diseases on shrimps are considered a threat to the production and quality of shrimp products, he said.
Phan Thanh Lam at the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 noted that upgrading the shrimp industry’s value chain is a significant challenge, noting the industry’s poor linkages between production and consumption, and small scale of the majority of shrimp producers.
Tran Ngoc Hai at the Can Tho University highlighted the importance of adopting high-tech, environmentally friendly shrimp farming practices that are resilient to climate change. The industry must also focus on meeting international standards and linking production across the value chain to better serve market demands.
Despite environmental, disease, and production challenges, Luan highlighted that Vietnamese shrimp businesses have introduced many innovative solutions, such as applying new technologies and improving infrastructure. These efforts are helping to reduce emissions, extend the value chain, and increase both profitability for farmers and businesses, he added.
Vietnam’s “pho”, “nem” take Italy by storm
The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, in partnership with national-flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, hosted the inaugural "Pho and Nem Day" in Rome, showcasing Vietnam's rich culinary heritage and promoting tourism, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
The event drew around 100 guests, including representatives from travel agencies, airlines, media, Italian ministries, diplomatic missions, and international organisations.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung invites delegates and guests to enjoy pho” (Vietnamese noodle soup) and “nem” (spring rolls). (Photo: VNA) |
Introducing “pho” (Vietnamese noodle soup) and “nem” (spring rolls) to Italian and international friends, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung emphasised that both Vietnamese and Italians share an intense passion for food, which is not only central to daily life but also deeply intertwined with each nation’s history, culture, art, and identity. It is a beautiful connection that binds the two nations together, he stated.
Participants enjoyed a video presentation on how "pho" and "nem", two of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes, are made. Both are considered among the world’s top 10 must-try dishes. With the sophisticated combination of simple ingredients with rich spices, they have become symbols of Vietnamese culinary culture.
In the crisp early winter air of southern Europe, guests were delighted by the rich flavours of "pho" — the savoury broth, tender beef, fresh herbs, and the perfect balance of spice and sourness from chili, garlic, vinegar, and lime. The thinly sliced meat absorbed the broth's warmth, creating a harmonious fusion. Crispy golden spring rolls, filled with savoury goodness and served with a tangy-sweet dipping sauce, rounded out the culinary experience.
Hailing the Vietnamese Embassy’s idea to organise the event, Valentina Muiesan from Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "pho" and "nem" carry deep emotional connections, evoking memories of home and family. Muiesan expressed confidence that this event, alongside the upcoming direct flight between Hanoi and Milan in July 2025, will boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between Italy and Vietnam on the foundation of the already solid political ties.
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| Guests enjoy Vietnam’s “pho” at the event (Photo: VNA) |
Maurizio, an Italian with a deep affection for Vietnam, said that tasting "pho" and "nem" was a valuable way to better understand Vietnam and its people. He said he believes the event will open new doors for Italians to explore Vietnamese culinary traditions and cultural richness.
Riccardo Panzarella of TravelGateway described "pho" and "nem" as cultural ambassadors for Vietnam. Many Italians have developed a fondness for Vietnam after tasting these dishes. He also expressed excitement about the new direct flight, which will enhance tourism between Italy and Vietnam, and affirmed his company’s ongoing support for tourism initiatives.
The World Tourism Organsation ranks Vietnam among the top 20 countries with the most significant tourism potential, especially known for its street food, which has been consistently ranked among the best in the world. For three consecutive years, Vietnam has topped the list of Asia’s leading culinary destinations.
HCMC arranges 17 bus routes for better connectivity with Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro
The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien urban railway line No 1 in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is expected to roll out on December 22, and to help passengers, the municipal Department of Transport (DoT) is setting up 17 electric bus routes connected to metro stations, the equivalent of 150 buses, said the Vietnam News Agency.
The details were revealed by Ngo Hai Duong, head of the Road Transport Management Division under the DoT, at a meeting on socio-economic issues organised by the municipal Party Committee's Commission for Information and Education, in coordination with the HCM City Department of Information and Communications, December 12 afternoon.
The bus routes will run along the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro corridor and pick up passengers from neighbouring streets to take them to the nearest station.
Duong said that construction on Metro Line No 1 of the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien route is now complete, with the service running a trial last month.
Currently, the city’s Urban Railway Management Board is completing final procedures related to the system safety certification and environmental permits.
To ensure the Metro Line 1 works at optimal efficiency, the DoT has developed a plan and implemented many integration options with other types of transport including buses, public bicycles, four-wheel electric vehicles and river buses.
At the same time, it installed 162 stops, 61 waiting rooms, and two-wheeled parking spaces for train passengers at Van Thanh, Thao Dien, Binh Thai, Rạch Chiec and Phuoc Long stations.
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Aerial view of the Ben Thanh Station, which is the first and also the largest underground station
of Metro Line No 1 in HCM City. (Photo: VNA) |
The electric bus routes will be rolled out earlier than the official launch date of Metro Line 1 to ensure smooth operation and allow people to gradually get used to the new transport option.
Regarding the electric bus charging station system, the Phuong Trang Company – which manages the 17 bus routes – built two charging stations at the company's parking lot in Thu Duc city with 23 charging posts, with a capacity of 180kW and 240kW.
For public bicycles, the Public Transport Management Centre coordinated with the Tri Nam Group Joint Stock Company to rearrange 45 public bicycle stations in District 1, establishing them around underground metro stations and equipping them with electric bicycles to increase passenger convenience.
For four-wheel electric vehicles with engines, the centre finished a plan to connect with three underground stations of Metro Line 1 including Ben Thanh, City Opera House, Ba Son, and Tan Son Nhat Airport.
At the three stations, the electric vehicles will operate with flexible routes and times, based on people's needs to reduce travel costs, with ticket prices between 5,000-10,000 VND (0.19-0.39 USD) per trip.
In addition, the DoT plans to develop a river bus route connecting the Ba Son and Tan Cang stations.
The city's public transport system, including Metro Line 1, buses, river buses, and open-top double-decker buses, has been integrated into the Gobus app, making it easy for passengers to find information and choose convenient routes.
Duong said that Metro Line 1 was expected to bring positive and profound changes to traffic in HCM City. Major routes such as Le Loi, Nguyen Hue, Ton Duc Thang, Nguyen Huu Canh, and Vo Nguyen Giap should be significantly eased in terms of traffic volumes, especially during rush hours.
Bus operations will also be adjusted to avoid overlapping routes with the metro line, while optimising operating times and effectiveness. This will significantly reduce personal vehicles, reducing congestion and traffic accidents.
With its speed, convenience and reasonable ticket prices, the city hopes the metro line will encourage more computers to switch to public transport, changing travel habits and awareness of environmental protection, he said.
The Metro Line 1 also plays an important role in sustainable urban development. Reducing the number of personal vehicles will significantly improve air quality, reduce noise and minimise environmental pollution in the city.
The metro line will promote transit-oriented development (TOD), helping to increase land use value, change the urban landscape, and promote economic and tourism development around the station area.
This is an important step towards a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly transport system.
The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro is approximately 19.7km long, with three underground stations and 11 elevated stations. The line will carry a total of 17 trains, each capable of carrying 930 passengers, including 147 seated and 783 standing passengers. The maximum design speed is 110km/h (for the elevated section) and 80km/h (for the underground section)./.