Vietnam’s trade value reaches 72 bln USD by mid- February (Photo: VNA)

Notably, in the first half of February alone, the country's export turnover reached 13.44 billion USD.

Phones and components; computers, electronic products and components; machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts; and textile and garment were the four groups of exports which enjoyed a turnover of "billion dollars" in the reviewed period.

In the meantime, import turnover was 12.38 billion USD. Two groups of imports of the "billion dollars" group were computers, electronic products and components; machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts.

In 2022, the country's total trade value reached a record high of USD 730.2 billion USD.

Nearly 300 trade promotion events planned for this year

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has passed the National Programme on Trade Promotion and the National Brand Programme in 2023 with nearly 300 trade promotion events to be held this year in Vietnam and abroad, reported Vietnam News Agency.

Illustrative photo. This year, trade promotion is identified as one of the important and effective solutions to support Vietnamese businesses to develop production and the domestic market, and boost exports.(Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

According to the ministry, this year, trade promotion is identified as one of the important and effective solutions to support Vietnamese businesses to develop production and the domestic market, and boost exports.

The newly-issued programmes will focus on connecting Vietnamese businesses to international buyers, promoting exports at prestigious international specialised fairs in key markets and potential new markets, and organise major international industry conferences in Vietnam to promote export potential, export industry, and typical export products.

Hundreds of thousands of businesses are expected to participate and benefit from the trade promotion activities.

Vietnam impresses visitors at cultural festival in Egypt

Vietnam is leaving strong impression on visitors at the Sakia Exhibition for Cultural Services, which opened in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo on February 22, reported Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnam impresses visitors at the Sakia Exhibition for Cultural Services in Egypt. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt shows many documents, books and photos on culture, history, land and people of Vietnam, especially its outstanding achievements after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (renewal).

Besides books on tourism introducing attractive destinations and unique features of regions, there also are magazines, photos, maps and documents and documentary screenings on Vietnam and the country’s specialities of fried spring rolls and coffee.

The event is party of a series of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Egypt (1963-2023).

The Sakia Exhibition for Cultural Services is held annually and allows countries to exchange cultural activities and boost solidarity and mutual understanding. This year's event attracts the participation of nearly 30 countries worldwide.

More opportunities for Vietnamese goods to enter foreign supermarkets

There are plenty of opportunities for local goods, especially agricultural products, to enter foreign distribution channels, with Vietnamese firms advised to focus on advantageous products, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to industry insiders.

Ta Hoang Linh, director of the Europe - Americas Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, pointed out that the awareness of the business community, relevant ministries, and localities about the role of foreign distribution channels has been raised, with this being considered an effective way to promote local products and brands.

With more than 60 trade offices based in countries worldwide, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to support relevant agencies and localities in providing strategic guidance relating to market access and connecting Vietnamese businesses to foreign distribution systems.

However, Linh stressed the need to fully tap into advantageous products, select potential markets and focus on several leading enterprises as a means of penetrating more deeply into the foreign distribution system moving forward.

Most notably, Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, have hit the shelves of large supermarkets in France, Australia, Japan, and Thailand over the past year, with popular items including lychee, dragon fruit, banana, and fish sauce.

Illustrative photo: vneconomy.vn

Shiotani Yuichiro, general director of AEON TOPVALU Vietnam, revealed that AEON mainly imported fresh bananas from the Philippines in the past, but it has started importing bananas from the Vietnamese market since 2022, particularly as the taste of Vietnamese bananas are considered to be better than other countries.

The AEON representative pointed out that aside from quality and price, Vietnamese export companies have set up a circular and sustainable production model, with the amount of waste hitting zero, which has become the selection criteria for foreign importers at present.

Sharing this perspective, Aly Ansari, senior director in charge of supply sources under the US' Walmart Group, pointed that Walmart has always focused on competitive factors in terms of quality, price, and sustainable value./.