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| Vietnam imports over 2.3 million tons of liquefied petroleum gas in nine months. (Photo: VOV) |
The country imported LPG from three major markets, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, of which the largest import volume came from the Qatari market with 506,499 tonnes worth over US$309.93 million
The import price stood at US$611.9 per tonne, marking a sharp rise of 186% in volume and 173.19% in turnover, all whilst accounting for 21.2% of the total volume and 20.1% of the country’s total import turnover of liquefied petroleum gas.
Saudi Arabia ranked as the second largest provider of LPG for the Vietnamese market with 297,447 tonnes worth over US$194.21 million, followed by the UAE market with 294,718 tonnes worth over US$187.19 million
Vietnamese consumption demand for LPG has been increasing, while local supply sources meet approximately 60% of total demand. Therefore, the import of LPG continues to represent a major solution to make up for the shortage over the coming years, according to details given by experts.
Vietnam’s first semiconductor expo underway in HCM City
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| At the SEMICON VIETNAM expo, underway in HCM City from October 31 to November 2. (Photo: VNA) |
The 2024 International Exhibition for Integrated Circuit and Semiconductor Industry (SEMICON VIETNAM), the first of its kind in the country, was opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31, reported Vietnam News Agency.
The three-day expo features 150 stalls showcasing a wide range of products in the fields of semiconductor design and testing as well as the cutting, engraving, and surface treatment of circuit boards, among others.
Visitors can experience high-tech application products, including robotics, automation solutions, AI applications in manufacturing, machine vision, and smart home and smart factory devices, and more.
In addition to providing spaces for firms to seek partners, expand markets, and foster cooperation in the semiconductor industry, the exhibition also sees symposiums and technology demonstrations throughout its course.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngoc, Vice director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said the expo marks a step forward in the southern hub’s semiconductor development, creating favourable conditions for the local business community to network and establish a high-tech ecosystem.
Agro-forestry-fishery trade surplus jumps over 62% in 10 months
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| Dak Lak province currently hosts 17 durian processing enterprises equipped with freezing and cold storage facilities, with a combined annual capacity of approximately 120,000 tonmes. (Photo: VNA) |
The agricultural, forestry, and fishery trade surplus reached 15.21 billion USD in the first 10 months, up 62.2% compared to the same period last year, Vietnam News Agency quoted statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported.
The sector’s total export revenue amounted to 51.74 billion USD, an annual increase of 20.2%.
Of the sum, agricultural exports contributed the most with 27.38 billion USD, up 25.6% year-on-year; livestock products earned 423.5 million USD, a 2.7% rise; fishery and forestry export turnovers grew by 12% and 19.9% to stand at 8.33 billion USD and 4.05 billion USD, respectively; and salt exports brought in 4.6 million USD, a slight decline of 0.2%.
The US remained Vietnam’s largest market, occupying a 21.6% share, followed closely by China at 21.5%, and Japan at 6.5%. Compared to last year, Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery exports to the three markets were 25.9%, 11.4%, and 5.9% higher, respectively.
In the ten-month period, the sector imports worth 36.53 billion USD, a year-on-year growth of 8.5%.
Currently, six agricultural goods maintain trade surpluses exceeding 1 billion USD. They are wood and woodwork products with a surplus of 10.91 billion USD, fruits and vegetables 4.47 billion USD, coffee 4.33 billion USD, rice 3.68 billion USD, shrimp 2.92 billion USD, and Tra fish 1.54 billion USD.
Vietnam-Philippines trade likely to exceed 8 billion USD for first time
With the current rising trend, trade between Vietnam and the Philippines is likely to exceed 8 billion USD for the first time to hit about 8.5 billion USD in 2024, with Vietnam’s surplus of more than 3 billion USD, Vietnam News Agency quoted statistics of the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Philippines.
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| Loading rice for exporting (Photo: VNA) |
The office said that in the first nine months of this year, import-export turnover between the two countries neared 6.5 billion USD, a rise of over 20% year on year, with Vietnam’s exports increasing 20.7%.
Among the 35 products Vietnam exported to the Philippines, 20 recorded a growth in the first nine months of this year, including rice at 53.3%, coffee 120.7%, peppercorn 37.6%, fertilisers 21.6%, steel products 71.2%, telephones and components 42.8%, and cameras, camcorders and components 64.6%.
Meanwhile, products with export decrease were aquatic products at 21.2%, animal feed and raw materials 15.6%, paper and paper products 19.3%, ceramic products 17.2%, and clinker and cement 15.7%.
Particularly, rice - Vietnam's main export item to the Philippine market - has maintained its high growth momentum, hitting 1.98 billion USD in the first nine months of this year, accounting for 42.86% of country's total export turnover to the Philippines in the period.
In the remaining months of 2024, the Philippines' rice import is forecast to continue increasing due to stronger domestic consumption demand while the Philippines' year-end crop has been damaged by natural disasters.
HCM City welcomes over 4.6 million foreign visitors in 10 months
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed more than 4.6 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months of this year, a 12.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023, the municipal Department of Tourism announced on October 31.
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| HCM City welcomes over 4.6 million foreign visitors in 10 months. (Photo: VNA) |
Domestic tourists numbered over 30.9 million, up by 1.3%, contributing to total tourism revenue of 156.65 trillion VND (6.2 billion USD), marking an 11.9% year-on-year increase.
The department is currently developing preferential policies aimed at attracting international MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) groups to hold events in the southern largest economic hub. It has reached out to relevant stakeholders to gather opinions for a draft report assessing the impact of MICE tourism policies.
In terms of tourism development partnerships, the department has launched a collaborative tourism initiative with 13 Mekong Delta provinces and cities, highlighting 126 local attractions through a new voting platform.
Additionally, a tourism development cooperation plan with the southeastern region has been issued, and discussions are ongoing with the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Department of Tourism to promote eco-friendly, sustainable travel routes that attract international visitors.
For the remaining months of 2024, the department will collaborate with local authorities, including Thu Duc city and 21 districts, to prepare for the 4th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week. Efforts are also underway with the Department of Culture and Sports and the city's Athletics Federation to organise the 7th Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon.
The city is gearing up to promote tourism at events in Singapore in 2024 and will attend the 43rd Executive Committee Meeting of the Organisation of Global City Tourism Promotion (TPO) in Malaysia to highlight the locality as a premier destination among TPO member cities./.