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| Vietnam exports over 9.38 million tonnes of wood chips to the Chinese market last year. (Photo: vnbusiness.vn) |
Notably, China became Vietnam's largest wood chip export market last year. The country exported over 9.38 million tonnes of wood chips to the Chinese market in 2023, reaching over 1.43 billion USD, accounting for 65.1% in volume and 64.7 in value.
In the Chinese market, the average export price of wood chips decreased from 183 - 185 USD per tonne at the beginning of last year to less than 140 USD per tonne in the middle of the year, then rose slightly in the last months of the year but remained below 150 USD per tonne.
Ranking second is the Japanese market. The price of wood chips declined by up to 36 USD per tonne last year.
Specifically, the price of wood chips exported to this market was 181 USD per tonne in January last year but fell to 145 USD by December.
Wood chip exports to the Korean market reached 548,590 tonnes, reaching 91.88 million USD, accounting for 3.8% in volume and 4.1% in value.
Similar to the Japanese and Chinese markets, export prices to the Korean market have decreased by 27 USD per tonne last year with strong fluctuations during the year.
The market recorded an average export price of 200 USD per tonne in January, 2023, but the price decreased continuously to bottom out at 136 USD, but bounced back to 172 USD in the last months of the year.
The Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association said that the demand for imported wood chips in the Chinese market would tend to continue to decline in the near future, leading to a decline in chip export prices in this market.
In general, the export market structure of wood chips will not change significantly in the near future.
However, the wood chip industry will continue to compete in raw materials with the pellet industry, especially in northern provinces because planted forest wood is the main input for both industries in this area.
Therefore, businesses and management agencies need to consider investing in building up raw material sources to ensure a stable supply for production and export.
Super international cruise ship returns to Thua Thien - Hue
On March 19, the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice carrying 3,000 international tourists docked at Chan May Port in the central coastal province of Thua Thien - Hue.
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| The cruise ship Celebrity Solstice returned to Thua Thien - Hue for the second time in March. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
This is the second time in March this super cruise ship has returned to Hue, proving the attraction of the ancient capital to cruise tourists, well known for their selectivity and high demands in spite of short-day tours.
Before arriving at Thua Thien - Hue, Celebrity Solstice docked at Ha Long Port of the northern province of Quang Ninh on March 17.
In Thua Thien - Hue, international tourists will tour historical relics, famous destinations in Hue city and some rural places in this province. At the end of a day of exploration, tourists will return to the ship and continue their journey to Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port of the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
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| International tourists get off the train to participate in exploration and experience tours. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of the Thua Thien - Hue Department of Tourism, said that in 2024, Chan May Port plans to welcome 32 cruise ships with 60,000 international tourists. Through organizing tours to explore the locality, the tourism industry has contributed to introducing high-quality characteristics of the ancient capital of Hue to tourists.
In the near future, the Department of Tourism will coordinate with the Hue Monuments Conservation Center to carry out a number of highly interactive and good quality cultural experience services, helping tourists have more impressive experiences.
Since the beginning of the year, this super cruise ship has come to Vietnam three times, with voyages from North to South.
Nearly 100 tourists take night tour “War Zone Moon”
The “War Zone Moon” night tour is one of the typical night tourism products of Cu Chi district in Ho Chi Minh City.
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| Visitors visit the rice planting scene during the night tour. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) |
On March 18, the Cu Chi Tunnels Relic Site in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, organized and welcomed nearly 100 visitors to the “War Zone Moon” night tour.
This is the first night tour to welcome tourists after being launched in August 2023.
The night tour “War Zone Moon” takes the image of moonlight as the main theme, recreating the life and activities at night of Cu Chi people living in the liberated area in 1961 - 1964. The tour takes place from 18h00 to 20h40.
Visitors can watch a 3D movie recreating the battle of Cedar Falls and experience scenes of people participating in tunnel digging and weaving under the moonlight, young people registering to join the army to fight the enemy, and mill and pound rice.
According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Director of the Cu Chi Tunnels Relic Site, this special night tour product aims to promote the heroic land of Cu Chi, contributing to enriching night tour products in the southern city as well as attracting more domestic and foreign tourists.
It is estimated that dozens of tour groups have registered for the tour at the end of March as well as the April 30 and May 1 holiday.
“We expect that, with the launch of the night tour and typical culinary products of Cu Chi land, the number of visitors to Cu Chi Tunnels this year will increase by about 20% compared to last year,” said Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam.
Vietnam Airlines increases flights to Con Dao
From mid-March 2024, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of flights to Con Dao to meet the increasing travel demand of passengers.
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| Vietnam Airlines operates an average of 26 to 30 daily flights between HCM City and Con Dao from March 2024. (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
Accordingly, Vietnam Airlines will operate an average of 26 to 30 daily flights between HCM City and Con Dao from March 2024. The number of flights increased nearly 50% compared to February 2024. This route is currently operated by Vietnam Airlines using ATR-72 aircraft with two classes of service: Premium Economy and Economy.
With high flight frequency, passengers can conveniently book seats to meet their travel needs from HCM City to Con Dao or from Northern provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa or Vinh to this island, with a stop at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
In addition, the national flag carrier chose Con Dao as the first locality to implement the “Sustainable Flight Route” project with environmental protection activities, contributing to preserving the landscape and living environment.
From March 15, all plastic waste and plastic bags on flights will be collected and brought back to the mainland for processing.
Flight attendants also sent out a message calling on passengers to join hands with Con Dao in an environmental protection campaign, limiting single-use plastic products during their stay on the island.
In 2023, the market share of transporting tourists by air accounts for about 72% of the total number of visitors to Con Dao./.