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| Rice harvesting in Can Tho (Photo: VNA) |
The department reported that the largest importers of Vietnamese rice in the January-August period included the Philippines, China, Indonesia and Ghana, with an over 15-fold increase in some markets.
In the rest of the year, Vietnam is forecast to enjoy a rise in rice export thanks to a large number of orders from many new markets. However, exporters are worried about a shortage of input materials due to this surge in global demand.
According to economists, the upturn will be seen in both domestic and world rice prices. Although Vietnam is one of the leading rice exporters, the country should pay attention to addressing current and long-term challenges, including those in food security and promoting the rice sector's advantages, advised experts.
According to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Trung, Vietnam maintains 7.1 million hectares of rice farm each year with an output of 43-43.5 million tonnes. The area will expand as conditions are good for prices in the market, he said.
The official stressed the need to foster linkage between businesses and farmers to form production chains and build material regions, thus ensuring harmony between production and selling.
Vietnam Airlines, Boeing reach 10-billion-USD deal for Boeing 737 Max jets
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to buy 50 narrow-body Boeing 737 Max aircraft in a deal worth 10 billion with the US group Boeing, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) |
A memorandum of understanding for the deal was signed between the two sides on September 11, on the occasion of President Joe Biden’s State visit to Vietnam. It holds a special significance in the context that the two nations have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Under the document, the two sides will closely collaborate to conduct research and assessment, and promptly report to relevant authorities for consideration, serving as a basis to advance the negotiations and complete investment procedures of Vietnam Airlines.
According to Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, in its fleet expansion plan for the 2025-2030 period, with a vision to 2035, purchasing aircraft is crucial to ensure that the firm achieves its strategic goals and vision in the recovery and sustainable development phase.
The narrow-body aircraft investment project aims to serve Vietnam Airlines' development plan, improve the quality of its services on domestic and Asian routes, and modernise its fleet by using modern, comfortable, and fuel-efficient aircraft.
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| At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) |
Brad McMullen, Senior Vice President Boeing Commercial Sales, said: “Southeast Asia is one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets, and the 737 MAX is the perfect airplane for Vietnam Airlines to efficiently meet that regional demand.”
Boeing highly values its historic partnership with Vietnam Airlines, dating back to 1995, when the airline first leased Boeing 767s, he added.
Vietnam Airlines said it needs to add about 60 new narrow-body aircraft by 2030 and 100 by 2035.
The Boeing 737 Max series boasts a seating capacity of up to 230 passengers and has a flight range of over 3,000 kilometres.
Vietnam Airlines' fleet consists of 100 aircraft, including 65 narrow-body aircraft, serving over 97 routes to 50 domestic and international destinations.
Vietnamese lantern festival excites crowds in northern Australia
The Vietnamese lantern festival 2023 has been successfully organised by the Australian Vietnamese Family Association (AVFA) in Australia’s Northern Territory, providing a chance for both locals and tourists to discover Vietnamese culture, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Lion dances bring a vibrant atmosphere to visitors during the Vietnamese lantern festival 2023. (Photo: Baoquocte.vn) |
Organisers put up a cultural space of Hoi An Ancient Town of Vietnam, featuring hundreds of traditional lanterns of all colours, shapes, and sizes.
Lion dances, performances of musical instruments, and Vietnamese cuisine booths were also introduced, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to visitors.
Both children and adults joined in with the various interesting activities on offer, such as lantern making and face painting.
Among the highlights of the festival was releasing flower lanterns into the sea, expressing people’s gratitude to the elderly and wishing for peace, happiness and prosperity.
The festival was held in Darwin on September 9 to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties.
The Australian Vietnamese Family Association (AVFA) is a non-profit association registered in Australia which was founded by Vietnamese volunteers. Its main goal is to connect members of the Vietnamese community and help them to get closer to each other through cultural exchanges. It also assists Vietnamese expats in integrating well into the local community.
The Vietnamese community in the Northern Territory is made up of around 2,500 people. Vietnamese is the seventh most common language used locally behind Aboriginal, Filipino, Greek, Nepali, Chinese, and Malaysian.
Electronics manufacturing makes up nearly 18% of Vietnam’s industry
The electronics sector accounts for 17.8% of Vietnam’s industry, placing the nation among the world’s top 15 largest exporters of this kind of product, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| A production line of electronic meter (Photo: VNA) |
The sector primarily manufactures electronic products, computers, and optical products. According to a report from the Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), last year it achieved an export turnover of over 114 billion USD, up 6% year-on-year and accounting for over 30% of the country's total.
Domestic and foreign investors are increasingly pouring capital into this sector, with many global conglomerates like Samsung, LG, Foxconn, and Fukang Technology establishing advanced technology electronic production facilities in Vietnam.
Highlighting the role of the industry, Do Thuy Huong, a member of the executive board of the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association (VEIA) and Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries (VASI), said it plays a significant role in contributing to the country's trade balance and foreign exchange reserves. The US and China are its two major markets for exports.
However, in reality, the group of electronic products, computers, and components in Vietnam still heavily relies on foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises, with low localisation and high labour-intensive rates.
To make way for the development of the industry, the MoIT has worked to improve its competitiveness and seek potential suppliers, thereby helping domestic firms form partnerships with multinational corporations and participate in the global value chain. Additionally, strategies serving the expansion of both domestic and export markets have been carried out./.