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| Vietnam’s rice continues to increase - illustrative photo (Source: VNA) |
Specifically, the average paddy price at fields rose by 214 VND to 8,000 VND (0.31 USD) per kilo, with the highest reported at 8,050 VND. The average price for paddy at warehouses expanded by 183 VND to 9,475 VND per kilo, the highest recorded at 9,650 VND.
Meanwhile, 5% broken rice was priced up to 14,200 VND per kilo; 15% broken rice, 13,950 VND; and 25% broken rice, 13,750 VND.
Premium white rice saw an increase of 35 VND per kilo to 14,010 VND.
For export, the price of 5% broken rice was 582 USD per tonne, higher than 579 USD of Thailand, and 581 USD of Pakistan.
Vietnam's 25% broken rice was sold at 557 USD per tonne, as compared to 530 USD of Thai rice.
Vietnam wins two more tickets to Paris 2024 Olympics
Canoeing and rowing have secured the eighth and ninth spots for Vietnam at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the information of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Competing in the women’s C1 200m event at the 2024 Asian Canoe Sprint Championships in Japan on April 21, Huong finished second with a time of 49.351 seconds, earning one of the two spots available for Olympic qualification. She was just behind Nilufar Zokirova of Uzbekistan.
In this event, the two top spots win tickets to the Paris Games. This marks the first time a Vietnamese canoeist will compete at the Olympics, representing a significant milestone for Vietnam’s sports.
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| Pham Thi Hue secures the ninth spot for Vietnam at the Paris 2024 Olympics (Photo: VNA) |
Also on April 21, Pham Thi Hue finished in the top 5 to secure the ninth Olympic spot for Vietnam at the women’s singles sculls final in the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta in the Republic of Korea.
With Huong and Hue’s qualification, Vietnam now boasts nine athletes set to compete in Paris. They include Nguyen Thi That (cycling), Trịnh Thu Vinh and Le Thi Mong Tuyen (shooting), Vo Thì Kim Anh (boxing), Nguyen Huy Hoang (swimming), Trinh Van Vinh (weightlifting), Nguyen Thuy Linh (badminton), Nguyen Thi Huong (canoeing) and Pham Thi Hue (rowing).
Tourists come in great numbers to Dien Bien Phu
The special national relic site of Dien Bien Phu Battlefield in the mountainous province of Dien Bien is attracting an increase influx of tourists from across the country and abroad as only half a month ahead of the Grand Celebration on May 7, said the Vietnam News Agency.
Statistics from the Relics Committee has shown that in the first half of April alone, more than 100 thousands of visitors flocked to the site, and the number keeps rising in the following days when the main celebration will take place for the historical victory's 70th anniversary (May 7, 1954 - 2024).
The tourists often chose to visit destinations such as A1 Hill, Martyrs' Temple, A1 Cemetery, Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum, and the De Castries Bunker.
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Tourists immerse themselves in the flow of history through a tour guide's presentation
at the A1 Hill relic. (Photo: baodienbienphu.com.vn) |
Nguyen Van Dien, a veteran tourist from Hanoi’s Tu Liem district, said he joined a group of 40 tourists from the capital city, most of them are veterans and children.
Dien said he chose to visit Dien Bien Phu Battlefield early as this year, its 70th anniversary is a big event and the site will be very crowded.
His group will stay in Dien Bien for two days and try to visit as many sites as possible particularly the martyrs' cemeteries, he added.
"This is not only a great opportunity to honour the heroic history of the nation, but also a time to educate younger generations, especially children about the bravery, heroic, indomitable tradition and the resounding victories of forefathers who sacrificed to protect the Fatherland.
Shrimp exports to major markets bounce back
Having identified its weakness in 2023, entering the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam's shrimp industry has undergone a clear change, reflected through increases in exports to major markets, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
According to statistics of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, shrimp exports are estimated at 620 million USD during January-March, up 24% year-on-year. Notably, earnings from shipments to the US and Chinese markets are estimated to increase by 26% and 140%, respectively.
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| Processing shrimp for export in Soc Trang province (Photo: VNA) |
Regarding the Chinese market, Kim Thu from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that China has reduced imports from Ecuador - its largest shrimp supplier, and increased imports from Vietnam. In this market, Vietnam has to compete in price with rival suppliers, however, many buyers in China consider Vietnamese shrimp to be of higher quality than those of Ecuador and India, so they accept higher prices.
For the US, shrimp industry experts say that sales of fresh and frozen seafood in this market are forecast to stabilise in 2024, after facing many difficulties in 2023 due to inflation and people’s tightening spending. Compared to some of the US’s main shrimp suppliers, which are India, Ecuador, and China, Vietnam is considered more promising, especially when diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US are developing well.
According to a representative of the VASEP, value-added processed shrimp products account for 40% - 45% of the total annual shrimp export value. The processing level of Vietnamese shrimp enterprises is at a high level in the world and this is a competitive advantage of Vietnamese shrimp in the Japanese market.
However, the sector is advised to keep up its efforts, because the competition from other countries remains fierce.
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| Shrimp exports to major markets bounce back (Photo: tapchicongthuong.vn) |
According to former VASEP Chairman Ho Quoc Luc, Vietnamese shrimp products have a good quality, but their prices are at a high level.
Therefore, farmers and exporters are recommended to seek measures to maintain quality and reduce production costs./.