Pangasius exports to the EU enjoy sharp growth. (Photo: VNA)
This is the most growth after many months of stagnation or deep decline.
Currently, the proportion of Vietnam’s catfish supply to the EU is 97%. The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain are the 4 largest single pangasius export markets of Vietnamese seafood enterprises. In which, the Netherlands is the largest market, accounting for 36.6% of the total export value to the EU.
Consumption demand in the EU is tending to recover, plus the special tax incentives from the EVFTA will continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese seafood products to increase their competitiveness in the EU market.
However, Vietnamese pangasius products are facing strong competition from other supply sources to the EU.
Meanwhile, the development of the COVID-19 epidemic in domestic and foreign markets along with the effects of meeting recommendations from the European Union (EC) on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), will continue to have the biggest impact on Vietnam’s seafood exports to the market.
Hanoi reopens pedestrian spaces in Hoan Kiem from March 18
The pedestrian spaces in downtown Hoan Kiem district are always favourite destinations for international tourists. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)
The capital city of Hanoi has agreed to reopen pedestrian spaces in downtown Hoan Kiem district from March 18 after nearly a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the municipal People’s Committee.
The Hoan Kiem district People’s Committee has issued a notice reopening pedestrian streets in the district to realize the policy of flexibly adapting to the COVID-19 epidemic.
The move comes after Vietnam resumed tourism activities on March 15. It is expected to help the capital attract more visitors.
The spaces include streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and neighbouring streets; Hang Ngang-Hang Dao pedestrian-trade-service route; expanded pedestrian spaces in the Old Quarter; as well as the routes connecting the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake.
The streets around Hoan Kiem Lake will be exclusively opened for pedestrians from 19:00 on Friday until the end of Sunday every week. Meanwhile, the remaining spaces will operate from 19:00 to 24:00 in three last days of every week.
The district requires visitors to strictly comply with regulations on COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control such as scanning QR codes, wearing masks, and disinfecting hands as they participate in walking spaces.
People with symptoms of cough, fever or difficulty breathing do not join this space. Hoan Kiem district will organize checkpoints at the pedestrian space.
At the same time, local people or sellers are required to strictly comply with regulations on epidemic prevention and control in accordance with flexibly adapting to the epidemic.
Sixteen tons of fish sauce and agricultural products exported to the US
Shipment of Pacific Foods’ packages to the US. (Photo provided by Pacific Foods)
Shipments of Vietnamese traditional fish sauce, chili sauce and agricultural products that meet strict requirements have penetrated the US market, opening up opportunities for green and clean Vietnamese products.
On March 17, Pacific Foods Joint Stock Company (Pacific Foods) completed the procedure to export a batch of fish sauce, agricultural products and high-class beverages to the US market.
This shipment includes 1,500 boxes of Bless Mami traditional fish sauce products (40 degrees of protein) and Hao Hang (60 degrees of protein), Youmi chili sauce, Squid energy drink, New Hope fortified ginseng drink, and Factory instant coffee.
The shipment, departing from Vung Tau port on March 17, is expected to arrive at Long Beach Port in the US on April 10.
Pacific Foods sold this batch to a partner with a wide distribution system throughout the US market, including many supermarkets and markets owned by Vietnamese people in California and some other states.
Currently, the company’s Bless Mami fish sauce product is known by many American customers and holds the top position in the fish sauce industry on the global e-commerce platform Amazon, with more than 18,000 products sold per month.
Earlier, in June 2021, Pacific Foods exported the first two batches of Vietnamese lychee to the European Union (EU). The company also exported the first batch of Thanh Ha (Hai Duong) lychee to this market.
Recently, on December 31, 2021, Pacific Foods also exported more than 20 tons of ST25 fragrant rice to the Canadian market.
As planned, in April 2022, the next shipment of 28 tons of main agricultural products and spices of Pacific Foods will be exported to the US, including Phuc Loc rice and Youmi fragrant dipping sauce./.
Ninh Binh begins to open to international tourists
The northern province of Ninh Binh has announced a plan to open to international tourists to visit, travel, relax, and attend conferences and seminars.
Ninh Binh begins to open to international tourists. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)
Accordingly, international tourists can choose to follow a package tour organized by a travel agency, or self-choose a service associated with safe epidemic prevention and control procedures; ensuring flexibility and convenience for tourists.
The plan aims to promptly support and remove difficulties for tourism business activities due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 epidemic; further promote the image of Ninh Binh tourism with the message of “safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination” and the campaign “Live fully in Vietnam” on the media and at domestic and international fairs.
In addition, the province plans to organize tourism development activities; develop a plan to train and foster tourism human resources, apply information technology, transform tourism; striving to welcome 100,000 international visitors in 2022.
The province requires functional sectors, tourist zones and attractions to strictly comply with epidemic prevention and control measures under the direction of the Government and the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 prevention and control, and the guidance of the Ministry of Health.
First Hot Air Balloon Festival to be held in Hoi An
The Hoi An Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held for the first time on March 25-26 at Hoai River Square, said Ms Truong Thi Ngoc Cam, Director of the Center for Culture, Sports, Radio and Television of Hoi An City.
The Hoi An Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held at Hoai River Square. (Photo: tienphong.vn)
The event is among the outstanding activities in response to the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2022.
The festival will show 17 hot air balloons of all colors and sizes, including 12 mini hot air balloons, 3 level-7 hot air balloons and 2 air balloons, arranged to fly permanently on the Hoai River so that visitors can come to visit and take souvenir photos.
As planned, the hot air balloons will fly from 06:00 to 09:00, from 17:30 to 18:30 on March 25 and from 06:00 to 09:00 on March 26.
In addition, the Lantern Night program will take place at 19:00-20:00 on March 25, with the burners of the hot air balloons making them shine like giant lanterns shimmering to the music./.