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| Illustrative image (Photo: nongnghiep.vn) |
They include a loose linkage in the value chain and low processing capacity, he went on.
Dung pointed out that an imbalance in the supply of material for processing and capital shortage for upgrading technolgy is the biggest limitation. Thus, it is necessary to devise a project on turning coconuts into Vietnam’s main industrial crops by 2030.
Vietnam has more than 188,000 hectares under coconut, accounting for 1.67% of that of the world, according to the Institute of Agricultural Planning and Economics.
Coconut trees are a source of income for about 389,530 farmer households and export value of coconut and coconut products has reached over 900 million USD. Vietnam is in the fourth place in the world in terms of cococut value.
Currently, there are about 854 enterprises that specialise in producing and processing coconut products, along with over 90 companies exporting coconut products. They create jobs for more than 15,000 employees.
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| The Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection under Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on June 19 organised a workshop on sustainable development of coconut in Vietnam to 2030. (Photo: VNA) |
Huynh Quang Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province, which has the largest coconut area in the country, said that coconut trees play an important role in the socio-economic life of the province. More than 70% of its population relies on coconut growing for their livelihood and the province has more than 163,000 households engaged in coconut farming.
The production value of coconut products accounts for 20.69% of the province’s total industrial production value; making up 42.51% of its total export turnover and creating jobs for tens of thousands of workers.
Ben Tre now has 78,000ha under coconut cultivation. Its coconut products have present in nearly 100 countries and territories and access choosy markets such as Europe, US and the Midde East.
In recent years, the province has issued many resolutions and plans to create favourable conditions for the coconut industry to develop in a stable, sustainable and effective manner.
Particularly, the 11th tenure of the provincial Party Committee has issued Resolution No. 07 on building concentrated production areas associated with developing the value chain of key product groups, thereby enhancing the development of the coconut industry as well as the position and image of Ben Tre coconut trees at home and abroad.
Vietnam targeting high-end Cambodian tourists
Vietnam is seeking to attract high-end tourists from Cambodia, which is rapidly emerging as a promising source of visitors, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Bui Vien street in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA) |
With its proximity, Cambodia has become a significant market for Vietnam, travel industry insiders said. It was among the top 10 markets in the first half of this year, with arrivals surging by 338% from the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
In the past a majority of Cambodian tourists visited Vietnam for medical treatment, but the pandemic has upended travel trends. But now there is an increase in weekend tourists visiting border areas, leisure travelers and those seeking longer experiences.
Their significant purchasing power is one of the key factors contributing to their interest in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s convenient geographical location, beautiful coastlines and attractive cuisine are among the factors that make the country appealing to Cambodian tourists.
Improved transportation networks, including direct flights and well-connected roads, have made travelling from Cambodia to Vietnam easier than ever before.
Vietravel, a tourism company, has witnessed a 10% growth in the number of package tourists from Cambodia in the first five months compared to the same period in 2019.
To capitalise on the potential of Cambodian tourists, the company plans to develop combined tours in Tay Ninh, a province located near the border. These tours will include resort tourism, medical tourism and religious tourism.
It is also exploring the possibility of starting flights between major Cambodian cities and key tourism destinations in Vietnam.
Tran Quoc Thinh, director of Tay Ninh province’s Tourism Promotion Centre, said Cambodian tourists primarily arrive through border gates due to the low travel costs and convenient bus services.
While there are opportunities to attract more Cambodian tourists, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, according to experts.
The frequency of flights between Cambodia and Vietnamese tourism destinations is currently limited and not fully utilised by many airlines. Tourism products for Cambodian visitors need to be diversified further. Furthermore, promotion and marketing efforts targeted at the Cambodian market remain limited.
To address these challenges and attract more Cambodian tourists, Thinh said promotion programmes had been organised in Tay Ninh province.
Vietnam Dance Week 2023 attracts foreign artists
The preliminary round of Vietnam Dance Week 2023 kicked off on July 15, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and foreign professional and amateur artists, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
The event themed “Meet & Shine - Brightening the future” is designed to introduce creations and new talents of the year, and to help the public gain an insight into Vietnamese dance.
It also offers a chance for both local and international dancers to meet and exchange experiences through competition.
Dancers will perform in different age categories, one for children aged six to nine, one for teenagers from 10 to 18 years old, one for adults over 18 years old, and one for elders over 50 years old.
The event consists of four main parts, including a folk dance competition of Vietnamese ethnic groups for individuals and professional organisations nationwide, competitions in all dance genres, group performance with the participation of 15 countries, and the "Dance of Solidarity”.
The final round is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City from October 23 to October 24 and in Hanoi from October 26 to October 27.
For further information, visitors can access the following website: https://vietnamdanceweek.vn/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Vietnam-Dance-Week-2023.-dich-English-OK.pdf
Runners to discover Mekong Delta beauty at Hau Giang Marathon
The Vietcombank Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang 2023 is expected to pass new milestones in both scale and quality in its fourth edition this weekend, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Athletes test routes of the Vietcombank Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang 2023 which will see the participation of thousands of competitors. (Photo of organisers) |
The tournament will see a record of more than 9,000 runners taking part in four categories of 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon.
Last year, 7,000 athletes from 15 countries and territories took part in the event.
This year, the marathoners will race on the international standard routes that are recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.
Runners can submit their results from this competition to register for elite marathons around the world.
The routes have been specially designed as a single loop allowing athletes to experience the nature and culture of the region's expansive fields, rustic villages, and winding canals which are typical of the Hau Giang countryside.
A total prize pot of 200 million VND (8,500 USD) will be awarded to top-ranking runners.
An award of 50 million VND will be given to any runner that sets a new record in the full marathon class. The organisers have promised to give out a ticket to compete in one of six events of the World Marathon Majors for the best runner. They'll also provide support for travel, accommodation and food.
To encourage the running movement in the province, the organisers are also holding private competitions for Hau Giang's local officials. The winners of each category will be awarded prizes equal to half the official prize values.
Organisers also hold two distances of 800m and 2.3km for children, with 2,000 competitors taking part in the races.
During the two-day event, runners can try the local cuisine and specialities and take part in tours to discover the area.
Local businesses and tour operators can learn more about the potential of the province. All are to promote and stimulate tourism, especially green sports tourism, turning Hau Giang into a staple for health-related tourism in the region./.