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| Photo for illustration. (Source: VOV) |
Throughout the reviewed period the country raked in approximately 75.9 billion USD from exports, marking an increase of 20.57% against the same period from last year.
The nation spent a total of 69.7 billion USD on importing goods, a rise of 15.78% on-year.
Most notably, in the first half of March there were a total of four export product groups with turnover reaching over US$1 billion, including computers, electronic products and components, phones and components, machinery, equipment, and spare parts, as well as garments and textiles.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, during the three-month period, fruit and vegetables exports surged by 27% to 1.25 billion USD compared to the same period from last year.
This represents the first time that Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports have exceeded the 1 billion USD mark in the first quarter of the year.
Since the beginning of the year, apart from the agro-forestry group enjoying robust growth, the group of processing and manufacturing industrial products such as phones, computers, machinery and equipment has also made several breakthroughs.
During the two-month period, up to 39 out of 45 export items witnessed strong growth compared to the same period from last year. In particular, Vietnamese exports to major markets recovered during the reviewed period.
Among these markets, the United States became the country's largest export market with exports soaring by 33.7% on-year, followed by Japan, the EU, and China with exports rising by 19.6%, 14.2%, and 7.7%, respectively.
Industry insiders pointed out that Vietnamese production and export activities have continued to rebound since the end of last year, thereby opening up bright prospects for the national economy in the year ahead.
Asian travel magazine lists Phu Quoc, HCM City among top destinations
The famous Asian travel magazine DestinAsian has just announced a list of the most beautiful islands or archipelagos in Asia and the best cities in Asia as voted by its readers. Vietnam has two representatives, Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City, on the list.
On the list of the most beautiful islands or archipelagos in Asia, Phu Quoc Island of Vietnam ranked 6th. Bali (Indonesia) ranked first, followed by Maldives, Phuket (Thailand), Koh Samui (Thailand), Boracay (the Philippines), Langkawi (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Palawan (the Philippines) and Lombok island (Indonesia).
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| Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. (Photo: DestinAsia) |
The 17th "Reader Choice Award 2024" of DestinAsian honored Ho Chi Minh among the 10 best cities in Asia. The southern city of Vietnam ranked 10th on the list while the first place belongs to Tokyo (Japan), followed by Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Sydney (Australia), Shanghai (China) and Taipei (China).
Also this year, the Asian magazine honored 10 best hotels in Vietnam, in which Ho Chi Minh sees 5 representatives, including Park Hyatt Saigon, Le Méridien Saigon, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, Hotel Des Arts Saigon - MGallery and Caravelle Saigon.
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| Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: DestinAsia) |
DestinAsian magazine, established in 2001, is one of the leading travel newspapers in the Asia-Pacific region and an extremely prestigious travel and style magazine for travel enthusiasts worldwide.
Vietnam among largest rubber suppliers outside the EU
In 2023, Vietnam was the 12th largest non-bloc rubber supplier to the EU, with 67,820 tons worth 94.35 million EUR (102.86 million USD), down 17.4% in volume and 39.6% in value against 2022.
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| Photo for illustration |
According to the European Statistics Agency, in 2023, the EU imported rubber coded HS 4001, 4002, 4003, and 4005 from markets outside the bloc with over 2.1 million tons, worth 4.38 billion EUR (4.78 billion USD), down 22.8% in volume and 32.3% in value against 2022.
Vietnam’s rubber market share in the EU’s total rubber imports from non-bloc markets accounts for 3.23%, higher than the 3.02% in 2022.
In 2023, the EU imported from non-bloc markets mainly natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Of which, natural rubber accounts for 48.58% of the total rubber imports from markets outside the bloc; synthetic rubber accounts for 46.29%; and the rest is recycled rubber and mixed rubber.
In 2023, the EU imported 1.02 million tons of natural rubber coded HS 4001 from markets outside the bloc, with a value of 1.58 billion EUR (equivalent to 1.73 billion USD), down 24.5% in value and down 41.8% in value against 2022.
Ivory Coast, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are the 5 largest non-bloc markets supplying natural rubber to the EU.
Tourism Week in Tam Coc - Trang An to last for 8 days
Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024, themed “The golden color of Tam Coc - Trang An”, is expected to be held for 8 days, at the end of May or early June 2024, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
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| Ripe rice season in Tam Coc. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
This is an annual tourism product, as well as one of the activities marking the 10th anniversary of Trang An Landscape Complex being registered by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
There will be many attractive and unique activities such as: the opening ceremony of Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024; walking streets; demonstrations and displays of OCOP products; displays of traditional handicraft products; photography tour of Tam Coc golden season; survey program and introduction of Ninh Binh tourism products; art photo exhibition; cultural programs; water puppetry; Cheo singing; Xam singing and folk songs.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ninh Binh said that a new feature of this year’s Tourism Week will be a goat fighting contest hosted by the provincial Farmers’ Association.
This year's Tourism Week activities demonstrate the unique culture of the locality; ensuring efficiency, safety, savings, creating a good impression among the residential community, businesses and tourists.
In particular, Ninh Binh Tourism Week is closely linked with other activities and events in the plan to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Trang An Landscape Complex being registered by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage./.