 |
| Illustrative image (Source: VNA) |
Experts at the forum shared the view that prices of Vietnamese rice will continue to stay high as economic and political uncertainties will push up food demand. They, therefore, suggested exporters utilise opportunities in market access and expansion.
If the export volume is maintained at over 400,000 tonnes each month in the remaining two months, the whole year’s export volume of the staple will reach from 6.8-7 million tonnes, they said.
Le Thanh Hoa, deputy head of the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority (AgroTrade), asked businesses to pay due attention to China, saying although it is a big and promising market of Vietnamese farm produce, the country has made changes in import requirements, from plant quarantine to packaging, tracking of origin and growing area codes.
A total of 22 Vietnamese firms have been licensed to ship rice to China, and Vietnam has proposed China expand the list.
Apart from China, the European Union (EU) and the UK have also remained Vietnam’s important markets, experts said, suggesting exporters tighten their connectivity with purchasing and processing units to satisfy technical requirements of importers, thus better utilising free trade agreements (FTAs) and export quotas.
Vietnam logs 274 new COVID-19 cases on November 20
The national COVID-19 caseload rose to 11,511,452 with 274 new cases recorded on November 20, reported Vietnam News Agency according to the Ministry of Health.
 |
| Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA) |
With 155 patients given the all clear during the day, the number of recoveries rose to 10,606,901.
Meanwhile, there are 107 patients needing breathing support.
No death from COVID-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood at 43,169.
With 22,043 doses administered on November 19, the total number of doses of COVID-19 vaccines injected rose to 263,287,066.
HCM City plans help for disadvantaged workers, students to go home for Tet
The Federation of Labour of Ho Chi Minh City plans to present 35,000 bus, train and plane tickets to trade union members and workers in disadvantaged circumstances to enable them to return to their home town for the 2023 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| Illustrative image (Source: VNA) |
This is an annual activity of the municipal trade union organization to help all workers to have a holiday with their family members, in accordance with the Tet tradition of family reunion.
Pham Chi Tam, Vice President of the federation, said to secure the tickets, the federation has persuaded transport firms to donate free tickets or sell at preferential prices.
The federation also instructed trade union organisations at different levels to persuade employers to arrange coaches or give ticket subsidies to disadvantaged employees who have not returned to their hometowns for Tet for many years.
The centre for supporting young workers under the municipal Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union committee also announced a so-called Spring Coach programme, under which free transport means will be arranged for 1,500 young workers in difficult circumstances to return to their home villages in central and northern central localities for the Tet holiday.
Those who wish to take the free trip can register online at https://tinyurl.com/chuyenxemuaxuan or at offices of the centre.
Presenting free transport tickets to people in difficult circumstances to enable them to return to their home town for the Tet holiday has become an annual tradition of many mass organisations in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam ranks 5th among international students in US
Vietnam has the fifth largest number of international students in the US, up one place from last year, according to the “Open Doors” report released by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
 |
| Illustrative image (Source: CPV) |
In addition, Vietnam continues to rank second in the number of international students attending community colleges in the US.
Vietnamese students have increased in almost all levels of education, up 6.5% in graduate programmes, up 23.3% in non-degree programmes and up 4.4% in optional practical training programmes.
Based on the overall economic size and measured through GDP output, Vietnam has more students studying in the US more than any other country in the world.
Vietnamese students also continue to demonstrate a strong footing in strategically important subjects across US institutions, such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and business/management studies.
The percentage of Vietnamese students pursuing STEM and business/management majors are 47.1% and 25.6% respectively.
“As the US approaches the 10th anniversary of the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership, the Open Doors data is demonstrable proof that education remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, while the nature of our current educational cooperation is already strategic”, said Genevieve Judson-Jourdain, US Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer./.