Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)
To attract money sent home by overseas Vietnamese, Sacombank, ACB and Eximbank have launched programmes targeting customers using their remittance receipt services since the first day of 2022. These programmes are offering valuable gifts and lucky draws to the customers.
Vietnamese abroad sent home some 12.5 billion USD last year, up 10 percent on-year, according to Standing Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Dao Minh Tu.
About 28 percent of the remittances was delivered through international money transfer companies, 70 percent via credit institutions and 2 percent by post, he said.
In Ho Chi Minh City alone, data from the SBV's branch showed that the city attracted 6.5-6.6 billion USD worth of remittances in 2021.
More remittances are coming to the southern largest economic hub ahead of Tet, mostly for supporting families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and for investing in different channels, including the stock market, said Nguyen Hoang Minh, head of the Vietnam Banks Association's office in HCM City.
In 2022, the volume of remittances to Vietnam is projected to grow about 2.6 percent.
CNN lists Vietnamese Beef Pho among world's best 20 soups
Prestigious website CNN Travel has selected the local delicacy Pho Bo (Beef Pho) among its 20 best soups worldwide, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
A bowl of beef pho (Photo: VTV)
In the article CNN revealed that the broth is simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise, and other warm spices in order to create a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup.
The website also quoted Andrea Nguyen, author of "The Pho Cookbook, as sayings that Pho is among the nation’s most recognised culinary exports, despite the soup being a relatively new food.
Andrea Nguyen went on to explain that while today's pho restaurants typically serve a wide range of different flavours, beef is the original.
By 1930, the soup was being served with slices of raw beef cooked gently in the broth, the author added.
According to details given by the website, beef pho remains the most beloved version in the nation, with options including the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, along with brisket and tendon.
Rounding off the list of the top 20 best soups in the world are Bouillabaisse of France, Caldo verde of Portugal, Chorba frik of Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, Chupe de camarones of Peru, Gazpacho of Spain, Groundnut soup of West Africa, Gumbo of United States, and Harira of Morocco.
This is in addition to Kharcho of Georgia, Lanzhou beef noodle soup of China, Mohinga of Myanmar, Menudo of Mexico, Moqueca de camarão of Brazil, Soto ayam of Indonesia, and Tom yum goong of Thailand.
Fruit and vegetable exports to EU market likely to rise by 15% this year
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports to the EU market are likely to enjoy a 15% increase this year thanks to maximising benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), reported the Voice of Vietnam according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Photo: nongnghiep.vn
The enforcement of the trade deal has helped local farm produce enjoy several competitive advantages compared to similar products from regional peers such as Thailand and China.
Most notably, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the EU market recorded positive growth, despite being heavily affected by the complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to statistics compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the fastidious market last year saw a surge of 7.6% to reach US$193.7 million compared to the same period from 2020.
During the past 11 months of 2021, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium were the largest consumers of local products, while other key markets such as the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain experienced a downward trajectory.
Most notably, local businesses exerted great efforts to fully tap into niche markets within the EU, including Finland, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, and Hungary.
Photo: congthuong.vn
Throughout the reviewed period, the export structure of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables to the demanding market remained diverse with up to 150 various products, including passion fruit, coconut, dragon fruit, custard apple, litchis, ginger, mangosteen, watermelon, guava, and tamarind.
With the EU’s import volume of fruit and vegetables hitting roughly US$100 billion per year, coupled with the advantages brought about by the EVFTA, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable export turnover to the choosy market is set to continue to increase by between 10% and 15% this year and gross approximately US$200 million, according to experts.
Experts also highlighted the bright prospects ahead for fruit and vegetable exports thanks to their improved product quality, favourable customs clearance procedures, and the success of COVID-19 containment efforts.
Despite these positives, experts underlined the necessity of developing post-harvest preservation and processing technologies that are capable of helping fruit and vegetable exports to make further inroads into the EU market and utilize tariff preference under the EVFTA.
Vietnam to discontinue automatic stay extension for foreigners as int'l flights resume
Vietnam will discontinue automatic stay extension for foreign nationals in the country starting January 15, as it tentatively reopens its borders, reported Vietnam News Agency according to a notice from the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security.
Foreign citizens visiting Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi in February 2021.(Photo: VNA)
For further information, foreign nationals are advised to contact the Immigration Department via telephone number 02439 387 320 or email foreigners@immigration.gov.vn.
The policy was put in place after Vietnam started imposing stringent border control measures, essentially halting all foreign entries into the country, in March 2020 as a response to the emergence of coronavirus.
Foreigners who entered Vietnam on visa waivers, e-visas or tourist visas from March 1, 2020 were entitled to an automatic stay extension until October 31, 2021 and could depart Vietnam without having to apply for an extension.
For those who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020, the same automatic stay extension until October 31, 2021 was subject to provision of proof that the person was stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19, accompanied by a diplomatic note (with Vietnamese translation) from diplomatic missions, or a written document from Vietnamese authorities confirming that the person was required to undergo mandatory quarantine or treatment for COVID-19, or advice of other force majeure. The person is required to present the diplomatic note or written document on departure from Vietnam.
The country has since allowed some limited entries, including repatriated Vietnamese citizens, along with foreign diplomats, business executives, highly skilled workers and technicians, and students – mostly on chartered flights.
Vietnam restarted regular commercial regular flights on a pilot basis starting January 1, 2022, to six popular destinations with a high safety level, namely Beijing/Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taipei (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco/Los Angeles (the US).
The arrivals have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently recovered from COVID-19 as well showing proofs of COVID-19 negative tests./.