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Tea exports earn 50 mln USD in first four months of 2023 (Photo: VNA)
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The average export price of the Vietnamese tea in April was at about 1,634 USD per tonnes, a decrease of 10.4% year-on-year.
Data from tea exporting countries shows export prices of the drink in many countries remained high, but the situation was stagnant in Vietnam due to problems in the quality of input of raw material.
The MARD has recommended that in order to increase tea export value, businesses need to strengthen cooperation, develop high quality raw material areas, change to new tea varieties while improving processing steps, ensuring food safety requirements in order to meet market demand.
Vietnam is now ranked 7th and 5th worldwide in terms of tea production and exports, respectively.
According to the MARD, the nation has 123,000ha under tea, capable of producing 1,02 million tonnes of fresh buds.
Vietnamese tea products are exported to 74 countries and territories, including Pakistan, China, Russia, and Indonesia. The shipments to China account for 12-15% of the country’s total export volume.
Vietnam expects more hot days in 2023
After three years of the La Nina weather pattern which is the other phase of ENSO, the El Nino phenomenon is likely to return in Vietnam in late May or early June, with a probability of up to 80%, and this phenomenon may last into early 2024, The Vietnam News Agency quoted the sayings of Nguyen Van Huong, Head of the Weather Forecasting Department, National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).
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Vietnam expects more hot days in 2023 (Photo: tienphong.vn)
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There are likely more hot days in 2023 than that in 2022, with more severe heat waves and the average temperature forecast to be higher than the average of many years.
Huong said the current heat wave will be the most severe on May 17 and from May 21-23, with high temperatures at around 36-39 degrees Celsius, even rising over 40 degrees Celsius in some places.
This is the longest-lasting heat wave in the northern and central regions since the beginning of this year, stressed Huong.
Meteorologists warn that the impact of the heat, combined with the low humidity in the air and southwesterly winds, causes the risk of explosions and fires in residential areas due to increasing demand for electricity, and the risk of forest fires.
In addition, the hot sun can also cause dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke. Therefore, people are advised to refrain from going outside during the hottest hours from 11:00-14:00.
Da Nang aims to become attractive logistics centre by 2030
The central city of Da Nang targets to become an attractive logistics centre of the central key economic region by 2030, and the key gateway of the East-West Economic Corridor and an important link of the Asia-Pacific transport corridor by 2050, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
The target is set in a project on developing logistics services in the city in association with the central key economic region and the East-West Economic Corridor for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, which has just been approved by the municipal People’s Committee.
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Lien Chieu Port in Da Nang (Photo: kinhtemoitruong.vn)
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Under the plan, the logistics service industry is expected to contribute 11-12% of the city’s gross regional domestic product by 2030 and up to 15.5% by 2050.
Regarding the potential of logistics development in Da Nang, Duong Tien Lam, head of the representative office of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) in Da Nang, said that the central city has opportunities to attract cargo through this economic corridor as it boasts an international container port and international airport and a location at the beginning of the East-West Economic Corridor.
However, to unlock its potential, it is necessary for Da Nang to devise specific policies to increase the volume of goods in circulation including incentives for investment in for-export production and logistics facilities.
Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Le Thi Kim Phuong said that from now until 2030, the city has put forth solutions to research and issue new mechanisms and policies to facilitate container transportation activities via Da Nang seaport.
It will also provide support relating to land rent for logistics centre investment projects to encourage enterprises to invest in infrastructure construction, she noted.
To attract investment in the field of logistics, Da Nang city will study the formation of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) with Lien Chieu Seaport, Da Nang International Airport and Hi-tech Park being its centre. The FTZ will offer incentives for investors such as exemption/reduction of taxes and fees; simplify the procedures for issuing and extending work visas and work permits.
Da Nang will boost trade and investment promotion in the south-central provinces of Laos; strengthen linkages with logistics associations and enterprises in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and around the world.
There are 1,056 enterprises operating in the field of logistics in Da Nang, including 681 engaging in providing road freight transport services; 16 offering services related to sea transport and 30 enterprises providing agency, forwarding and shipping services.
Vietnam leaves deep impressions at SEA Games 32
Vietnam for the first time secured the top place at a Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) held outside its territory after topping the medal tally at SEA Games 32 in Cambodia, said the Vietnam News Agency.
On May 16 - the last official competition day, Vietnamese athletes recorded a beyond-expectation gold medal haul in fencing, wrestling, judo and weightlifting, and even breakdance – a new sport at the Games.
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The Vietnamese delegation tops the medal tally with 136 gold, 104 silver and 114 bronze medals at SEA Games 32. (Photo: VNA)
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The hard-won success helped Vietnam stay firm on the top of the medal tally.
Throughout their 11-day journey at the largest regional sporting event, the athletes gave fans a full gamut of emotions, from the burst of joy over the historic gold medal in the women’s basketball, to admiration, even from rivals, for runner Nguyen Thi Oanh who brought home four golds and golfer Le Khanh Hung who became a gold medalist at the age of 15.
Many other historic achievements were recorded by the Vietnamese athletes at the Games, which have won admiration and pride from fans. Notably, head coach Mai Duc Chung and his players won the fourth consecutive SEA Games gold in women’s football after sailing through a host of challenges.
Regrettable failures were also seen in athletics, swimming, tennis, fencing and even the men's U22 football team, sometimes shaking fans’ confidence in the likelihood of beating the gold medal target.
However, thanks to breakthroughs in martial arts, wrestling, diving and aerobics on the last four days, the Vietnamese delegation created a perfect sprint to top the medal tally with 136 gold, 104 silver and 114 bronze medals at SEA Games 32, overfulfilling the target of 89-120 golds and a top-three finish.
Earlier, Vietnam had topped SEA Games in 2003 and 2022, both of which, however, were held in home ground.
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Vietnam wins the fourth consecutive SEA Games gold in women’s football. (Photo: VNA)
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This is also the first time Vietnam has successfully defended its top position in two consecutive Games. It can be said that this year’s success has served as a source of encouragement for the athletes to weather greater challenges in the time ahead, firstly the 19th Asian Games (ASIAD) in Hangzhou, China, in late September, and competitions for tickets to Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
However, various professional issues still remain, requiring sports managers to review and analyse them as the SEA Games 32 success is unlikely to ensure that Vietnam will well perform in larger tournaments, especially in the context that many sports and events at SEA Games 32 are not included in ASIAD and Olympic, and not many achievements close to medal competitions in continental and global tournaments were made in the Games in Cambodia.
Vietnam sent a 1,003-strong sports delegation to the SEA Games 32, about 700 of them athletes, who competed in 31 sports events.
The Games is held in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep and will be officially wrapped up on May 17./.