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| At the first-ever Vietnam fruit festival in Beijing. (Photo: VNA) |
The festival took place at the Xinfadi agricultural wholesale market, the largest of its kind for fruit in the capital. The market serves not only Beijing's population of over 22 million but also nearby regions such as Hubei and Tianjin.
On schedule as part of the two-day festival are direct trade exchanges between Vietnamese businesses and Chinese fruit importers and distributors, a product experience programme, and a seminar on the potential for Vietnamese fruit exports.
In his remarks at the event, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said the countries’ growing comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has brought tangible benefits to both. He noted that despite the global economic slowdown, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has continued to expand, yielding positive and significant outcomes.
Regarding fruit supply and fruit-based products, Vietnam is China's third-largest global partner, after Thailand and Chile, with many Vietnamese goods enjoying strong popularity among Chinese consumers. Dien underscored the significant untapped potential for the sides’ businesses to further capitalise on.
This festival will serve as a premise and provide valuable experience for organising more frequent, specialised festivals in not only Beijing but also other parts of China, thereby fostering connections and expanding Vietnam’s fruit exports to this vast market, the minister stated.
Additionally, the official proposed that Chinese authorities continue collaborating to facilitate quarantine processes, expedite customs clearance, address bilateral economic and trade policy issues, further open its market and expand the list of Vietnamese fruits and agricultural produce eligible for legal export.
Vietnam, in turn, is ready to facilitate the import of Chinese fruits into its market in accordance with the law and help Chinese businesses invest and operate effectively and sustainably in Vietnam, Dien noted.
Zhang Yuxi, the board chairman of the Xinfadi market, underscored the significance of the Vietnam fruit festival and noted that it reflects the growing cooperation and friendship between the two nations in the farming sector. He added that the event creates opportunities for networking and exchange between their agricultural enterprises.
French company inaugurates automated Vietnamese spring roll production line
France’s Bretinov Company has inaugurated the first ever automated Vietnamese spring roll production line, which is the combination of modern French technology and traditional Vietnamese cuisine, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
With an investment of approximately 3 million EUR (3.35 million USD), the birth of this production line marks an important milestone in the company's development.
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| The machine is capable of producing up to 2,500 rolls per hour with just one operator. (Photo: VNA) |
It is fully automated, capable of producing up to 2,500 rolls per hour with just one operator.
Vu Anh Son, Trade Representative of Vietnam in France, affirmed that Bretinov's model is a testament to the combination of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with the technological expertise of a French company. This not only promotes the culture of a specific dish but also helps Vietnamese products reach a wider consumer base in France.
Pierre Auffret, the company’s founder, stated that the current demand for this machine is very high, indicating that Bretinov's product quality has been recognised in the market. He expressed his hope to expand production of the machine, and export it to more distant countries, including the Vietnamese market.
Pontoon bridge takes shape to replace collapsed bridge due to typhoon Yagi
More than 200 soldiers from Brigade 249 of the Engineering Corps on September 29 completed the installation of a pontoon bridge near the Phong Chau Bridge in northern midland Phu Tho province that collapsed on September 9 due to violent floodwaters caused by typhoon Yagi, Radio the Voice of Vietnam reported.
The floating bridge, erected in just 90 minutes, is about 400 meters downstream from the collapsed Phong Chau bridge spanning the Red River.
After assessing the flow velocity and the width of the riverbed, Brigade 249 decided to use 26 floating rafts and 2 anchor sections to connect, assemble, and secure the floating segments, creating a complete pontoon bridge.
On September 29, the Brigade carried out a test run and make technical adjustments to finalize the process. It is expected that cars and small vehicles will be able to across the bridge starting September 30.
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| The pontoon bridge has been constructed in just 90 minutes to replace the Phong Chau collapsed bridge due to the impact of typhoon Yagi (Photo: VOV) |
Bicycles, motorcycles, three-wheeled motorbikes will be allowed to travel in both directions at a speed not exceeding 5 km/h.
Only passenger cars and pickup trucks will be permitted to cross the bridge in one direction at a speed limit of no more than 10 km/h.
Due to the impact of typhoon Yagi, two spans of the Phong Chau bridge collapsed and fell into the Red River on September 9 morning, leaving eight dead or missing.
The Ministry of Transport has approved a budget of VND9.13 billion to retrieve the structure and vehicles involved in the incident.
The government has also decided to allocate VND875 billion to build a new bridge at the site of the collapsed bridge.
Over 1,000 runners join Hanoi Moi Newspaper Run for Peace
More than 1,000 athletes participated in the 49th Hanoi Moi Newspaper Run for Peace on September 29 in the capital city along with 2,500 other runners who took part to support the event, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
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Delegations prepare for the opening ceremony of the 49th Hanoi Moi Newspaper Run for Peace. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)
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Nguyen Trung Cuong and Bui Thi Thu Ha won the top places at the men's elite race of 8,750m, or five laps around Hoan Kiem Lake, and the women's class of 5,250m, or three laps around the lake, respectively.
In addition to the elite categories, organisers also presented awards to winners of the amateur classes including students, workers, soldiers and foreigners, with prizes totalling 70 million VND (2,900 USD).
HSpeaking at the opening of the race, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha said that, after 48 years, the run has become a long-running tradition in Vietnam, attracting larger numbers of participants and improving in quality every year.
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| Runners in the 49th Hanoi Moi Newspaper Run for Peace (Photo: VNA) |
Many talented runners have emerged from this grassroots-level event and gone on to become national names.
The tournament has become a favourite event not only for runners in Hanoi but also for participants from other cities and provinces every year./.