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| Hai Duong exports grapefruit to EU (Photo: VNA) |
The shipment includes Tan Lac red-fleshed grapefruits and green-skinned ones grown in Hoa Binh. Cultivated under stringent technical and food safety standards, they were harvested, processed, and packaged at a facility in Hai Duong to meet EU import requirements.
Nguyen Ngoc Nam, Deputy General Director of FUSA-Eco Hoa Binh, said in 2022, the company exported 120 tonnes, but due to unfavourable weather conditions in 2024, export volume is estimated at 60 tonnes. Yet, international consumers have praised the high quality of Hoa Binh grapefruits.
In the coming time, the company plans to tap into the Middle Eastern market. It is also committed to long-term collaboration with Hoa Binh’s agricultural sector to expand the global reach of local produce.
To enhance export value, FUSA-Eco Hoa Binh has called on local authorities to assist farmers in improving product quality, acquiring additional plantation codes, and adhering to strict cultivation standards to ensure superior fruit quality and appearance.
Hoa Binh boasts 10,240 hectares of citrus fruits, with 5,400 hectares dedicated to grapefruit. Major growing areas include Luong Son, Tan Lac, and Yen Thuy districts, yielding an estimated 109,000 tons annually. The province has issued 35 export plantation codes to facilitate access to international markets.
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| Green-skinned grapefruits packaged for exports (Photo: VNA) |
Nguyen Hong Yen, head of the Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-Department, noted that 2024 marks a new milestone with the export of Tan Lac red-fleshed and green-skinned grapefruits, following the success of Dien grapefruit in previous years. This year’s export volume is projected at 250-300 tonnes, targeting markets such as the EU, the US, and the UK. Modest in quantity, yet these exports lay a groundwork for expanding domestic and international market penetration.
Hoa Binh grapefruits have already made significant strides, entering the UK market in 2022 and the US market in 2023. These achievements affirm the province’s reputation for high-quality agricultural products. Future plans include accessing the Japanese and the Republic of Korea markets, with efforts focused on meeting international standards, enhancing branding, and promoting trade.
Through comprehensive measures, Hoa Binh aims to solidify its foothold in the global agricultural export sector while boosting the value of its citrus fruits.
Singaporean textile firm invests in 590-million-USD project in Nghe An
The central province of Nghe An has given in-principle approval to a 590-million-USD project by Mega Textile Singapore Limited in the Tho Loc Industrial Park, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| A view of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone (Source: nguoiquansat.vn) |
The Singaporean firm will establish Mega Textile Vietnam Co., Ltd to implement the project, which will occupy more than 51 hectares of land.
The aim of the project is to produce a wide range of textiles, including fabrics, knitwear, coloured yarns, cut semi-finished products, clothing, and belts. The annual production capacity is expected to reach approximately 67,200 tonnes of fabric, 10,300 tonnes of knitwear, 7,200 tonnes of coloured yarn, 100 million belts, 130 million clothing items, and 2.2 million cut semi-finished products.
Regarding the project’s timeline, the preparation of investment procedures is set to be completed by the second quarter of 2025. Phase 1 is slated to officially begin operations by the second quarter of 2028, while Phase 2 will commence by the second quarter of 2030, and Phase 3 by the second quarter of 2034.
Once operational, the project is hoped to contribute significantly to the State budget revenue and create over 15,000 jobs for locals, boosting the development of the textile industry both locally and nationwide.
Mega Textile Singapore Limited was founded on February 18, 2022. It is wholly owned by Best Pacific International Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Exchange.
Best Pacific is a leading name in the manufacturing and trading of textiles and belts, supplying top global sportswear and lingerie brands.
In Vietnam, Best Pacific established its first factory in Hai Duong province in 2016, providing employment for over 1,600 workers. The Mega Textile Vietnam project will be the largest scale project of the group.
Wildlife protection exhibition on buses launched in Hanoi
Wildlife protection exhibitions on buses in Hanoi will be taking to the roads from next month after six years of nurturing the idea, Nguyen Van Thai, Director of the Save Vietnam's Wildlife (SVW) told Vietnam News Agency.
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| A pangolin rescued by the SVW. (Photo courtesy of the SVW) |
Thai said that SVW will be organising mobile nature visits to 54 locations in Hanoi, including schools, shopping centres, walking streets and parks.
The plan is for three buses to be converted into mobile exhibition vehicles and take their message to the wider community.
The first, called 'Magical Green Forest', will show virtual reality (VR) films to visitors, providing an experience of majestic nature with explanations and interactions using specimens.
The second vehicle, called 'Silent Forest', will be a museum of what species still remain and which animals and reptiles have already disappeared forever.
The SVW expects that the second vehicle will stimulate outrage by visitors learning about the health and legal consequences of consuming wild animals.
The third vehicle, called 'Going Home', will hopefully help those who see it understand that they too can play a part in protecting nature through four actions: Refuse, Speak Up, Boycott and Report Violations.
"It will not just be a passing exhibition by looking at photos, we want to connect people to feel like they are in the forests, seeing wildlife and being a part of it. We expect that from these real feelings, viewers will feel the pain of losing wildlife,” said Thai.
“We hope that when coming to the exhibition, people will truly connect with nature, directly see themselves as a part of nature. Each person will be able to clearly feel what in nature is gradually disappearing, why they are disappearing and how that loss affects the viewer's own life. From here, each participant will gradually form specific awareness and actions to protect nature and the environment," he said.
In addition to the three buses, the exhibition area will have a stage system and games to help people interact and have a full experience of what it means to protect the environment and what is being lost.
Here, visitors will be given devices to be able to listen to the natural sounds of the forests as if they are actually there, while SVW will also build a prize system of free experience trips to nature reserves and national parks.
Doan Hoai Nam, Deputy Director of the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the bus exhibitions were a unique project, expected to spread the idea of conservation education widely, particularly into urban areas.
"In the city, many people want to go to the forest but do not have opportunity. Through this project, more people will understand and want to go to the forest to experience the wonderful things that nature brings," said Nam.
Vietnam is one of the 14 countries with the highest level of biodiversity in the world, home to 10,000 different animal species including more than 310 mammals, 469 reptiles, 916 birds, 7,750 insects and more than 20,000 plants, according to the Forestry Department.
However, said the SVW, 29 species were believed to have or are about to disappear in the wild.
Among them, the Indochinese tiger disappeared in 1999, the leopard in 2008, the jackal, the clouded leopard in 2004, the saola, or so called Asian unicorn in 2015, the golden deer in 1980, the Javan rhino in 2010, the white-crested pheasant in 2000 and the central Vietnamese turtle in 2013.
Vietnamese cuisine, cultural exchange festival in full swing in Kuala Lumpur
The Vietnamese cuisine and cultural exchange festival is currently underway in Kuala Lumpur, featuring over 100 food stalls that showcase the culinary delights of Vietnam’s three regions to international and Malaysian friends, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| A stall at the festival in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: VNA) |
Lasting until December 11, the event highlights iconic Vietnamese dishes such as pho (noodle soup with beef), fried spring rolls, and banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) from the north; fresh spring rolls, banh xeo (crispy, stuffed rice pancake), and banh bot loc (rice dumpling cake) from the central region; and cha bo (Vietnamese beef bologna) and com tam (broken rice dish) from the south. These offerings have drawn significant attention from attendees.
Participating vendors include well-established Vietnamese businesses operating in Kuala Lumpur such as An Viet Food Market, Viet Mart, Viet-Thai-Cambodia Mart, and Mini Nguyen Café.
By the end of the first day – November 27, the festival had already welcomed more than 500 visitors. Alongside the culinary showcases, the opening day featured musical performances and a traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) fashion show.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency at the event, Tengku Dato’ Hishammuddin Zaizi Bin Azman Shah Alhaj, Director of Malaysia’s Ikhasas Group, expressed his hope that the festival would become a regular event, expanding in scale to foster greater cultural and culinary exchange.
Tran Thi Chang, representing the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association, also shared her optimism that such events would strengthen bilateral ties and create new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment between the two countries./.