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| Representatives from agencies, localities and enterprises at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) |
The export of first batch of bird’s nest products to China follows a protocol signed in November of 2022 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Chinese General Administration of Customs.
The products are manufactured by AVANEST Vietnam Nutrition Joint Stock Company - the first Vietnamese allowed to provide processed bird’s nests and cooked bird’s nest pots to China.
The event marked an important milestone of the Vietnamese agricultural sector as well as the bird’s nest industry in penetrating the world largest bird’s nest consuming market with a demand of more than 300 tonnes per year, accounting for about 80% of the global consumption.
Chinese data showed that China imported 220 tonnes of bird’s nests in 2020, more than 300 tonnes in 2021 and 425 tonnes in 2022, mostly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and now Vietnam.
In Vietnam, bird nest farming for commercial purposes is a new industry started in 2004 in the Southern provinces, developing rapidly over the last decade.
Currently, 42 out of 63 provinces engage in bird's nest farming with over 22,000 bird's nest houses. Vietnam's annual bird's nest output is about 150 tonnes worth over 600 million USD. With the effectiveness of the protocol with China, the Vietnamese bird's nest industry has many opportunities for development.
At the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in bird’s nest export was signed between the Bird’s Nest Associations of Binh Dinh province, Gia Lai province’s Quang Da and Chu Se districts, An Giang province and Quang Ngai province and AVANEST Vietnam Nutrition Joint Stock Company.
Under the deal, the associations will provide raw materials to AVANEST Vietnam for processing for export. Meanwhile, the firm will supply the associations with training on farming and harvesting techniques as well as management tools serving their operations.
Quang Ninh welcomes first direct flight from Japan’s Hokkaido
A flight departing from Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture landed at Van Don International Airport in Vietnam’s northeastern province of Quang Ninh on November 16, marking the first direct flight between the destinations, reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
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Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee, welcomed
Mr. Suzuki Naomichi, Governor of Hokkaido province (Photo: quangninh.gov.vn) |
The flight carried 274 passengers including a delegation of Hokkaido prefecture led by its Governor Suzuki Naomichi and representatives from Japanese enterprises.
The Japanese delegation’s visit to Vietnam is within the framework of the Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long in 2023, held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and the 60th founding anniversary of Quang Ninh province.
The event also aims to concretise the exchange and cooperation agreement between Hokkaido and Quang Ninh signed on September 9, 2022. It also contributes to developing the friendship and cooperation between the two localities, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and promoting their extensive and extensive collaboration in areas in which both sides have strengths.
At the welcoming ceremony, representatives of Quang Ninh province and Van Don International Airport told the Japanese delegation about the airport and the potential for tourism cooperation between the two sides.
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| The delegation of Hokkaido prefecture led by its Governor Suzuki Naomichi and representatives from Japanese enterprises are welcomed at Van Don International Airport. (Photo: VNA) |
The Governor of Hokkaido expressed his joy and surprise when the first flight connecting Hokkaido and Quang Ninh was fully booked, proving the great interest of the Japanese people in Quang Ninh in particular and Vietnam in general.
Representatives from Van Don airport wished that authorities in Hokkaido and Quang Ninh will support airlines to launch direct flights connecting the two localities.
After nearly 5 years of operation, Van Don International Airport has seen 6,131 flights, including 560 international ones. It served 755,000 passengers, consisting of nearly 80,000 foreigners.
Kanagawa Festival 2023 launched in Da Nang
The Kanagawa Festival 2023 officially opened in the central city of Da Nang on November 16, to showcase Japanese culture and tourism, as well as study and employment opportunities in Kanagawa Prefecture, according to Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Tran Chi Cuong, vice chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee, revealed that the coastal city of Vietnam has so far established cooperative ties with 20 Japanese localities in multiple fields such as urban development, environmental protection, energy saving, economy, tourism, education, health care, human resources, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
This is the second time that the Kanagawa Festival has been held in Da Nang, providing a solid foundation to strengthen friendship, boost cultural exchanges, and increase mutual understanding between the two peoples, said Cuong.
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| Art performance at the festival (Photo: VOV) |
For his part, Yakabe Yoshinori, consul general of Japan in Da Nang, pointed out that Vietnam is one of the countries that can be considered an attractive investment destination for Japanese companies.
He expected that Japanese investment would increase steadily in the central city thanks to its abundant human resources coupled with low rental prices at industrial parks in comparison to those in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The Kanagawa Festival 2023 helps enhance mutual understanding between Vietnamese and Japanese students who are expected to become useful human resources for both countries moving forward, he noted.
The highlight of the event will be a speaking contest among university students, a competition to learn about Kanagawa Prefecture, an online exchange for Vietnamese students in Japan, along with a seminar introducing jobs in Japan.
Wellness Expo 2023 kicks off in Hanoi
The International Wellness Food, Healthcare Industry & Lifestyle Expo 2023 in Vietnam (Wellness Expo 2023) kicked off at the National Exhibition Construction Center in Hanoi on November 16, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
Opening with the theme of “Healthy Living Journey”, the exhibition features a total of 150 booths from more than 100 domestic and Korean exhibitors.
On showcase are a range of technology and smart devices, nutritional food and beverages, medical items, healthcare and beauty care products, along with sportswear and accessories.
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| Wellness Expo 2023 kicks off in Hanoi (Photo: VOV) |
According to the organising board, the expo aims to introduce high-quality products to customers and to inspire healthy living among the community.
Within the framework of Wellness Expo, a number of activities will also be held, including a specialised seminar and workshop, a business matching session, a Vietnamese - Korean culture experience space, and a live shopping event.
Wellness Expo 2023 has been co-organised by the Asia Trade Fair and Business Promotion (ATFA), the Korea Wellness Industry Association, and Goldsun Media Group.
The expo is scheduled to last until November 18./.