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Hoan Kiem Lake (Photo: baotangphunu.org.vn)
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According to information given by the UK outlet, Vietnam represents one of the countries that saw a significant hike in terms of searches and bookings for the summer.
The capital city of Hanoi reached a search and book rate of up to 298%, while Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City were at 439% and 219%, respectively.
Expedia noted that these searches prove that there is more to the world than stereotypical destinations that people tend to visit every year.
“Hanoi is the country’s capital and is known as its art capital. You can find some of the city’s most exciting architecture and centuries-old culture,” the magazine revealed.
Rounding off the list of the Top 5 is Japan, New Zealand, Italy, and France.
Tea export value to China skyrockets
The export value of Vietnamese tea to China in the first two months of this year quadrupled from the same period last year, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the figures of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
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Tea export value to China skyrockets (Photo: baodautu.vn)
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China imported 426 tonnes of tea from Vietnam in the two months, representing rises of 121% in volume and 411.2% in value.
The average tea export price in February alone surged by over 10% to more than 1,641 USD per tonne.
China’s reopening of its border after the COVID-19 pandemic is the main factor behind the strong growth of tea exports to this huge market, reported the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Tea exports to Pakistan also enjoyed an upward trend, reaching 5,300 tonnes worth 9.4 million USD, up 5.8% in volume year on year.
Although Taiwan (China) is Vietnam’s second largest tea consumer, tea exports to this market declined slightly over the two-month period. Statistics show Vietnam shipped 1,500 tonnes worth 2.4 million USD to the market, down 8.1% in volume but up 3.8% in value year on year.
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China imported 426 tonnes of tea from Vietnam in the two months - Photo for illustration
(Source: kinhtedothi.vn)
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Statistics also indicate that while tea exports to Russia, Indonesia, and the United States saw sharp falls, exports to other markets such as Iraq, China, and Saudi Arabia increased significantly.
Overall, Vietnam exported 13,600 tonnes of tea worth 22.6 million USD in the reviewed period, down 7.9% in volume and 3.1% in value compared to last year’s corresponding period, but the average export price of the product picked up 5.2% to more than 1,643 USD per tonne.
Lang Son considers building four routes for panoramic geopark touring
The northern mountainous province of Lang Son is working to complete a report on the addition of tourist attractions to the four sightseeing routes planned for its geopark area ahead of March 30, heard a working session on March 27, said the Vietnam News Agency.
The session took place between the Lang Son authorities and a delegation of consultants for developing the geopark into a global one, led by Guy Martini, chairperson of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council.
Chairing the meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Duong Xuan Huyen took into account recommendations of the experts. He assigned localities involved to coordinate with the management board of the geopark to complete the report.
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Geopark in Lang Son province (Photo: langson.gov.vn)
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On March 11-15, the delegation examined the current status of geological heritage, biodiversity, cultural heritage and tourism products in Lang Son city and the six districts of Loc Binh, Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Binh Gia, Van Quan and Cao Loc. To meet UNESCO's criteria, the experts emphasised that there must be three to four routes serving panoramic geopark tours for visitors.
They then selected a number of potential sites in the districts and city to build four sightseeing routes consisting of 41 attractions. For these routes, they suggested an early arrangement of associated parking areas and building of information centres in the localities.
Established in 2021, the Lang Son geopark encompasses the five districts of Bac Son, Binh Gia, Chi Lang, Huu Lung and Van Quan. Its total area is over 3,800 sq.km with a population of 375,656, accounting for some 46.3% of the province's area and 48.1% of its population.
Archaeologists discovered remains of Homo Sapiens, the first modern humans, evolved from their early hominid predecessors 470,000 years ago, and Hoiosapiens, 30,000 years ago, and other signs of early humans in the park, proving that the Lang Son geopark is one of the cradles of ancient Vietnamese.
Dong Nai’s FDI attraction booming, nearly triple in Q1
Foreign direct investment in the southern province of Dong Nai surpassed 500 million USD in the first quarter this year, nearly tripling that in the same period last year, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the information of the management board of the provincial industrial parks.
Of the figure, there were 11 new projects with a total registered capital of nearly 50 million USD and 22 others with additional capital of more than 451 million USD, mostly those from Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan (China). All of them utilise advanced technology and skilled labour in priority investment sectors. Among the 11 new FDI projects, six are in support industry.
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Ho Nai Industrial Park in Dong Nai province (Photo: baodongnai.com.vn)
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Deputy head of the board Pham Van Cuong said over recent months, FDI attraction in Dong Nai has thrived with increasing quantity and quality of projects which involve the construction of new factories and manufacturing expansion.
Foreign investors pin high hope on projects underway in the province, especially Long Thanh airport and expressways. The province has also stepped up administrative reform and dealt with investor concerns, he said.
According to the approved plan, Dong Nai has 40 industrial parks (IPs) with an area of about 19,000ha. The province is now home to 32 IPs that are already in operation, with an occupancy rate of over 85%. The remaining IPs are yet to be built due to obstacles regarding investment procedures, rubber and forest land processing, auction and bidding, and zone planning.
Cuong said the province hopes that the Government, ministries and agencies will tackle bottlenecks and create favourable conditions for it to establish new IPs, thus attracting more capital from big corporations and businesses around the world./.