Sorting out dragon fruit for export in Vietnam. (Photo: VOV)
According to the Vietnamese Embassy, India mainly imports dragon fruit from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka of which its imports from Vietnam account for 80% of the total amount.
In the 2019-2020 crop, Vietnam’s dragon fruit output shipped to India almost doubled at more than 11,750 tonnes with a turnover of 9.86 million USD. However, in the 2020-2021 crop, its dragon fruit export turnover to the market decreased by about 25%.
From April to October 2021, Vietnam’s dragon fruit export turnover to India amounted to 5.98 million USD, an increase of 211.31% over the same period of the previous year.
The Embassy says India is a large market which has a high demand for fruit consumption and it is sensitive to price fluctuations. A sharp drop in the price of Vietnamese dragon fruit would create a good opportunity for businesses to increase their exports to India.
Over the past weeks thousands of container trucks carrying fruits, including dragon fruit, have been left stranded at border gates with China after Chinese authorities tightened COVID-19 quarantine measures. Dragon fruit has been transported back for sales in northern localities at a price of less than 10,000 VND per kg (or less than half a dollar).
Vietnam targets ecological, sustainable agriculture
Vietnam targets ecological, sustainable agriculture. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam is striving to become a transparent, responsible and sustainable producer and supplier of food and foodstuff under a draft strategy on agricultural and rural development for 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2050, reported Vietnam News Agency.
The strategy, which was sketched out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), targets ecological and sustainable agriculture.
Vietnam’s commitments at the United Nations Food Systems Summit and the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) have been integrated into the strategy.
The agricultural sector is facing challenges presented by the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, intensive and extensive international integration, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, natural disasters, diseases, climate change, and great changes in consumption markets.
Tran Cong Thang, head of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, said such challenges require the sector to reform itself and work to create opportunities for agriculture and rural areas.
Therefore, the strategy needs new views and orientations, and specific actions to reboot the sector and utilise new opportunities.
Agriculture should develop effectively and sustainably in terms of economy, society and environment, he said, suggesting the sector bring into full play resources in land, water, personnel, history, culture, science-technology and innovations.
Thang also stressed the need to shift the mindset from agricultural production to agricultural economy.
Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, head of the International Cooperation Department under MARD, suggested Vietnam make use of by-products to reduce pollution and emissions, and create values and jobs, thus forming modern, dynamic rural areas.
Cao Duc Phat, former head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, said the strategy is expected to integrate economic, social and environmental values.
Although there is ample room for the domestic agricultural sector to grow further, the resources are limited, he said, urging the sector to create added values by cutting production costs, increasing product values and utilising science-technology.
Households should coordinate with businesses to gradually engage in national and international value chains, Phat added.
MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed his hope that with the measures, the domestic agriculture will see improved quality and win an ecology brand.
China increases imports of processed fruit and vegetables from Vietnam
Vietnam enjoyed an increased market share of processed fruit and vegetables (coded HS 20) in China’s total import value in the Jan-Nov period of 2021.
According to statistics from China’s Customs Administration quoted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import-Export Department, in November 2021, China’s import of processed fruit and vegetables (coded HS 20) was valued at 211.86 million USD, an increase of 31.7% compared to the same period last year.
In the 11 months, the figure reached 1.48 billion USD, up 27.1% over the same period last year.
Processing pineapple for export (Photo: congthuong.vn)
China increased imports of processed fruit and vegetables from most supply markets, except for Thailand. In which, the US and Vietnam are the two largest suppliers of the commodity to China in the 11 months.
Specifically, the country’s import from the US reached 278 million USD, up 67.5%, while those from Vietnam reached 213 million USD, up 34.9% year on year.
During the period, China also increased imports of fruit coded HS 2008 with value accounting for 50.1% of the total import of processed fruit and vegetables (coded HS 20). Specifically, import from the US was valued at 201.2 million USD, up 111.6% year on year. Following it were Vietnam with148.9 million USD, up 28.34%; the Republic of Korea with 77 million USD, up 8.5%; and the Philippines with 64.6 million USD, up 30.9%.
International searches on Vietnam’s tourism rise
Analysis data from Google Destination Insights shows the number of international searches on Vietnam’s tourism is on the rise.
Phu Quoc is one of the most dynamic tourist areas in the country. (Photo: VOV)
Accordingly, since the beginning of November 2021, the number of international searches for Vietnam's flights and accommodation has risen since November 2021 as Vietnam launched a pilot program to welcome international tourists in five localities, namely Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Ninh, after nearly 2 years of being interrupted by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Specifically, in October 2021, international searches on aviation increased by about 15% compared to the same period last year, the volume increased by 167% in early December and by 282% in the end of December.
In early November, international searches on accommodation facilities in Vietnam increased by 48% against the same period last year and the figure climbed to 67% in mid-December.
According to a report by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, by the end of 2021, the pilot program welcomed about 4,000 visitors with “vaccine passports” in the form of package tourism.
Currently, international arrivals reception has entered the second phase from January 1, 2022. Besides the 5 localities permitted to pilot welcoming visitors, the Government has allowed 2 more localities to welcome international visitors in the form of “vaccine passports”, namely Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh province.
Hanoi to organize numerous tourism events in 2022
Tourists join a tour to discover French architecture in the heart of Hanoi. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)
In 2022, Hanoi is expected to welcome and serve 9-10 million visitors, including 1.2-2 million international visitors. Total revenue from tourists is forecast to hit 28- 36 trillion VND.
Aiming to achieve this goal, the city has implemented tourism activities in a flexible manner, adapting to the epidemic situation.
Specifically, Hanoi will focus on building many new tourism products such as: pedestrian product “French architecture in the heart of Hanoi”, experiencing the old town by electric car, and discovering Hanoi by bicycle “VGreen bike tour”.
At the same time, the city will upgrade existing products and organize survey groups to provinces and cities to help businesses be more proactive in developing new products.
In 2022, Hanoi will organize many tourism events to promote and attract more tourists to the capital, such as: Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival, Hanoi Ao Dai Festival (scheduled in the fourth quarter), and Contests to select Hanoi Tourism Ambassador and Songs of Hanoi Tourism.
The city will take advantage of the opportunity to organize SEAGAMES 31 to promote and attract tourism in the most effective way.
In 2021, Hanoi greeted 4 million domestic tourists, equivalent to 53% of 2020 and equal to 36% of the year’s plan. Total revenue from domestic tourists is estimated at 11.28 trillion VND, equivalent to 40% of 2020 and 23% of the year’s plan./.