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The rice warehouse of the Duong Vu Co. Ltd in Thu Thua district, Long An province
(Photo: VNA) |
Ho Chi Minh City has the largest number, 36, one fewer than the list released last October. It is followed by Can Tho city with 34, Long An province 22, Dong Thap province 15, and An Giang 14.
Some provinces have only one certified merchant, including Ha Nam, Hau Giang, Khanh Hoa, Lang Son, and Thanh Hoa.
The number of traders eligible for rice export in the latest list decreased considerably compared to the August 2023 list that comprised 210, which later fell to 170 in October last year, statistics show.
The Foreign Trade Agency said that in 2023, the MoIT played a good advisory role in the governance of rice export, helping gain positive export results, ensure high prices for farmers, and guarantee food security.
Last year, Vietnam shipped more than 8.1 million tonnes of the grain worth nearly 4.7 billion USD abroad amid complex developments in global rice trading, including many countries’ restrictions of rice export.
Experts forecast export prices will continue rising in 2024 due to smaller supply as a result of India’s ongoing export restrictions and growing import demand of many countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.
For 2024, Vietnam looks to maintain the cultivation area at 7.1 million ha, produce over 43 million tonnes of unhusked and export more than 8 million tonnes of husked rice.
Protocol expected to raise Vietnamese watermelon shipments to China
The recent signing of a protocol regarding the export of Vietnamese watermelon to China via official channels will help deter trade risks, boost the standard of the farm produce, and ease congestion at border gates, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the sayings of Director of the Plant Protection Department Huynh Tan Dat.
In an interview with the Lao dong (labour) newspaper, the official said in the long term, as a result of the document, the links among growers as well as between them and packaging establishments and exporters will be strengthened, promoting a standardised production process, the application of good farming practices and sci-tech advances, and the forming of quality and environmentally friendly products. They are all conducive to sustainable exports for watermelon growers.
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Under the protocol signed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and General Administration of Customs China (GACC), fresh watermelon permitted to enter the Chinese market must come from the cultivation and processing establishments approved by both agencies. (Photo: baodautu.vn)
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Under the protocol signed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and General Administration of Customs China (GACC), fresh watermelon permitted to enter the Chinese market must come from the cultivation and processing establishments approved by both agencies. All plantations involved must cultivate the plants following the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The negotiation for the pact began in late 2019 and its signing took place in December last year, with Vietnam now completing all procedures for the exports of the fruit to China, according to Dat.
As a result, the annual export value of the farm produce is likely to reach 70-80 million USD from the current 50 million USD, Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit & Vegetables Association Dang Phuc Nguyen has predicted.
Vietnam wins big at Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad
All 20 Vietnamese students put in excellent displays to win medals at the Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad (SEAMO) which was held from January 19 to January 22 in Singapore, Radio the Voice of Vietnam reported.
According to the results, the group brought home two golds, two silvers, three bronzes, 12 consolation prizes, and one Open Division prize.
Of them, two gold medals went to Tran Lam Dao of Kim Lien Primary School in Hanoi and Huynh Huy Hoang of Nguyen Thai Binh High School in the southern province of Ca Mau.
The two silver medalists were Pham Duc Phat of Viet Anh Primary & Secondary School in the northern province of Hai Phong and Hoang Tuan Kiet of Gia Phuong Secondary School in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
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| Tran Lam Dao successfully claims the LEGENDARY prize which honours winners who won gold medalsfor three consecutive years. (Photo: cand.com.vn) |
Elsewhere, Tran Hoang Quan of Quang Trung Primary School in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Nguyen Hung Minh of Ngo Si Lien Secondary School in Hanoi, and Ta Le Quoc Bao of Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue won bronze medals.
Most notably, Tran Lam Dao successfully claimed the LEGENDARY prize which honoured winners who won gold medals for three consecutive years.
SEAMO is a global assessment of English Math competency for students from Primary to High School run by the SEAMO International Organizing Committee.
The exam is well-known all over the world. It is held annually in many countries, worldwide, including Australia, Hong Kong (China), India, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States.
Ninh Binh to mark 10th anniversary of UNESCO recognition of Trang An Landscape Complex
The northern province of Ninh Binh will organise activities this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UNESCO recognition of the Trang An Landscape Complex as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the information of the provincial authorities announced on January 24.
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| The Trang An Landscape Complex was recognised as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 2014. (Photo: ninhbinh.gov.vn) |
Speaking at a press conference to announce the celebration, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Song Tung said that the celebration will be held in many places to honour, promote and spread the heritage’s values in association with sustainable tourism development, towards turning Hoa Lu city into a millennial heritage urban. The celebration will be also an occasion for the province to review outstanding achievements in heritage conservation in the last ten years and outline policies and measures for better heritage management and conservation in the coming time.
Among celebrating activities, a ceremony will be held on April 26 to honour the achievements and contributions of organisations and individuals in managing, preserving, promoting, and spreading the heritage values. The event is expected to attract over 5,000 people.
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| A corner of Trang An Landscape Complex (Photo: baoninhbinh.org.vn) |
Other activities are planned to take place from January to September, including the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, seminars, a tourism week, exhibitions, a food festival, and song-composing and writing contests about the province and the Trang An Landscape Complex.
The Trang An Landscape Complex was recognised as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 2014. The site spans 12,252 ha in 20 communes and wards in five districts and cities of Ninh Binh, comprising the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest./.