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| Vietnam reports durian breakthrough exports in 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
However, the Vietnamese export value decreased by 4.6%, equivalent to about US$17.04 billion, compared to figures from 2022.
Most notably, the sharpest decrease was recorded in major commodity groups, such as telephones and components, down US$5.61 billion; garments and textiles, down US$4.27 billion; footwear of all kinds, down US$3.66 billion; machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts, down US$2.62 billion; timber and wood products, down US$2.54 billion; aquatic products, down US$1.95 billion; and chemical products, down US$750 million.
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| Tra fish processed for exports (Photo: vneconomy.vn) |
In contrast, some commodity groups achieved high export growth last year, including fruit and vegetables, up US$2.24 billion; means of transport and spare parts, up US$2.17 billion; rice, up US$1.22 billion; and cashew nuts, up US$558 million.
Despite global rising protectionism and trade barriers, China continues to affirm its position as the world's largest exporter, raking in US$3.4 trillion last year, down 10%. It was followed by the United States and Germany.
In 2023, the global total export turnover reached US$23.8 trillion, down 5% compared to the previous year.
Athletes secure gold at Petanque Asian Championships 2024
Vietnamese athletes outplayed their Malaysian opponents in the final game of the Petanque Asian Championships 2024 in Chinese Taipei, on November 24, bringing home the team’s only gold medal, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Vietnam wins one gold medal at Petanque Asian Championships 2024. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) |
Taking on Malaysian opponents in the finals, duo Kim Thanh and Kim Thao put in strong displays to clinch an important 13-5 victory, winning a gold medal in the women’s doubles category.
The event attracted 11 teams, and to make it all the way to the final, Vietnam defeated Japan in the quarter-final stage and Indonesia in the semi-final stage.
Overall, Vietnam won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medals at the second Petanque Asian Championships in Chinese Taipei.
In 2025 Petanque will be included among the 50 sports to be competed at the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33) in Thailand. The recent Petanque Asian Championships 2024 provided a chance for Vietnamese athletes to prepare for the regional event.
Ninh Binh Festival 2024 kicks off
The 3rd Ninh Binh Festival themed “Heritage Flow” opened in Ninh Binh city, the northern province of the same name, on November 24 evening, featuring a wide range of cultural and entertainment activities, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Art performance at the opening ceremony of the Ninh Ninh Festival 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
Addressing the event, Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations, highlighted its significance as helping recreate glorious historical milestones of the nation.
Organised on a national scale and imbued with national cultural identity, the festival spotlighted the identities of regions across the country, contributing to promoting cultural exchange and socio-economic development, and connecting the experience journey of people and tourists.
Trung praised the provincial Party Committee, authorities, and people for their efforts in inheriting and promoting the traditions of the ancestors, saying that with their will and aspiration, solidarity, and creativeness, they have utilised their potential and advantages to overcome many difficulties and challenges, scoring important and comprehensive achievements in all fields
He expressed his belief that the locality will continue to uphold their spirit of solidarity and aspiration, and fully bring into play the unique potential, strengths, and values of the ancient capital region, joining the rest of the country in stepping into the new era of rising.
In 2014, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, affirming its outstanding global value and providing an opportunity for Ninh Binh to expand exchanges and cooperation, thus driving its socio-economic development, Ninh Binh People's Committee Chairman Pham Quang Ngoc noted.
Ninh Binh aims to become a centrally-run city by 2035 with the characteristics of a millennium heritage urban area, a creative city, and a hub with high brand value in tourism, cultural industry, and heritage economy; a modern transport and mechanical industrial centre; and an innovative startup centre in the southern Red River Delta, deeply integrating into the network of heritage cities and creative cities holding the UNESCO-recognised titles.
A wide range of cultural activities will be held within the third edition of the annual festival, including art performances, an outdoor exhibition of contemporary poetries, a street carnival with folk colours featuring traditional crafts, and an electronic folk music festival with the intersection of sound and visual experience.
The festival will run until November 30.
Vietnam honoured as Asia’s Best Golf Destination 2024
Vietnam has surpassed several strong contenders such as Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, winning Asia’s Best Golf Destination 2024 award for the eight consecutive time, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Vietnam is regarded as an ideal golf destination in Asia due to its stunning natural landscapes, tropical climate favourable for golf course development, and golf tourism. (Photo: VOV) |
The honour was announced by the World Golf Awards during its 11th annual event recently held in Madeira, Portugal.
At the same awards ceremony, Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, was named the World’s Best Golf City Destination 2024.
Voting was conducted by golf industry professionals, the media, and the public. Winners were determined based on the highest number of votes received in each category.
Vietnam is regarded as an ideal golf destination in Asia due to its stunning natural landscapes, tropical climate favourable for golf course development, and golf tourism. Currently, the country boasts around 100 operational 18-hole golf courses, including 32 that meet international 5-star standards and are integrated with luxurious resorts.
One of the key focuses of Vietnam’s Tourism Development Strategy through 2030, approved by the Prime Minister, is the development of infrastructure and the creation of golf tourism products.
Vietnam has won eight Asia’s Best Golf Destination awards and two World’s Best Golf Destination awards. It has been named as Asia’s Leading Golf Destination by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for six consecutive years (2017–2022) and the World’s Leading Golf Destination in 2019 and 2021./.