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| Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) |
Between now and the year’s end, the figure could reach roughly 6 billion USD.
Since early this year, the export of wood and wooden furniture has been dull, with a shortage of orders common in most businesses. In the past eight months, the export turnover neared 8.3 billion USD, down around 26% annually, Phuong said.
Since May this year, the Vietnamese firms have been importing a significant amount of raw wood materials which rise by 5-10% per month. This is a sign that they are actively preparing for end-of-year orders, he added.
Citing data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), Phuong revealed that the Vietnamese wood enterprises are also importing a substantial amount of machinery and equipment, totaling approximately 240 million USD, mostly from China, Europe, the Republic of Korea and Japan, among others.
According to him, the 2023 Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair (VietnamWood 2023) and the Vietnam International Furniture Accessories, Hardware & Tools Exhibition (Furnitec 2023) will be concurrently held in Ho Chi Minh City from September 20-23.
Organised by the Vietnam National Trade Fair & Advertising Company, Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co and HAWA, the events will also feature livestream sessions to introduce new technologies and a series of wood technology seminars with topics such as proactive production - simplified operations, green factories with a focus on carbon neutrality, equipment health and smart maintenance, among others.
Book on Fidel Castro’s visit to Vietnam launched in Cuba
The book "Fidel Castro, Nuestra Sangre por Vietnam" (Fidel Castro, Our Blood for Vietnam) was launched by the Latin American News Agency, Prensa Latina, in Havana on September 13, marking the 50th anniversary of the leader's historic visit to Vietnam, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| The book "Fidel Castro, Nuestra Sangre por Vietnam" (Fidel Castro, Our Blood for Vietnam) is launched by the Latin American News Agency, Prensa Latina |
Speaking at the event, Prensa Latina President Luis Enrique González noted that the book is a collaboration between Prensa Latina and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA). The 76-page book gathers dozens of images that mark a milestone in the relations and fraternity between Cuba and Vietnam.
Fidel’s presence in Vietnam was a gesture of personal courage and a call for the international community to learn about the cause of the heroic Vietnamese people, and an expression of its solidarity with that struggle, he added.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung said the book contributes to helping young Cuban and Vietnamese people to have a better understanding of countless efforts by their older generations to build and nurture the two countries’ relations which have been passed down generations to them.
Earlier, the Vietnam News Agency Publishing House publicised a bilingual a book on the visit by Cuban leader Fidel Castro to the liberated zone in Vietnam's central province of Quang Tri during the war 50 years ago.
The publication in Vietnamese and Spanish named "Fidel Castro - Vi Viet Nam, nguyen hien dang ca mau!" (Fidel Castro - Nuestra Sangre Por Vietnam" [Fidel Castro: Our blood for Vietnam]) marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban leader’s visit, reminding people of his famous saying “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood”.
It also helps readers have a better understanding about Fidel's special affection for Vietnam, Vietnamese people, and President Ho Chi Minh.
Peruvian ceramic artworks set to be exhibited in Hanoi
An exhibition opening with the title of “Pucará Bull” is scheduled to take place at the Art and Culture Centre at 22 Hang Buom Street in Hanoi from September 16 to September 24 to mark the occasion of the 29th anniversary of Vietnam-Peru diplomatic relations, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
The exhibition is being organised by the Embassy of Peru in Vietnam and will offer the public in the capital the unique opportunity to appreciate one of Peru's most iconic symbols, traditional Peruvian pottery.
On display across the function will be 18 meticulously crafted ceramic artworks that exhibit distinctive designs, decorations, and a high aesthetic value. These pieces reflect the immense creativity and exceptional skills of various Peruvian ceramic artists.
This cultural event is part of a larger initiative being ran by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, in collaboration with the Municipality of the "Leal Villa de Pucará" and 10 associations of Pucará artisans. These associations consist of more than 500 ceramic artisans who diligently preserve and nurture the ancient pottery tradition.
The exhibition will witness the participation of two Vietnamese painters Le Huy and Tran Anh Tuan who will come together to create Pucará Bull artworks by applying typical techniques of traditional Vietnamese painting.
According to Ambassador of Peru to Vietnam Augusto Morelli Salgado, the exhibition will help both countries gain a deeper understanding of their traditional culture, thereby enhancing the friendship relations between the two sides.
Furthermore, the Embassy of Peru in co-ordination with Puppets Studio art workshop will organise a Pucará bull statue decoration event with the theme of "Make your own amule" between September 16 and September 17, with the occasion being free for all visitors.
Since 2022, this function has been traveling to various countries around the world. In Asia, these ceramic artworks have been showcased in several countries, including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. After Vietnam, the Pucará bull collection will continue its journey onwards to India.
Vietnam developing community-based tourism associated with local culture
Developing community-based tourism in association with indigenous culture has received due attention from various localities across Vietnam, as it has proved effective in attracting both domestic and foreign tourists, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Xoan singing performance in Hung Lo ancient communal house (Photo: VNA) |
The northern midland province of Phu Tho is one among the localities well exploiting community-based tourism.
Performances of Xoan singing – UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, in Hung Lo ancient communal house have become a unique cultural tourism product.
Le Thi Xuan Huong, deputy director of the Phu Tho tourism promotion information centre, said that since Hung Lo ancient village was recognised as one out of Phu Tho’s two community-based tourist sites, it has seen surges in the number of domestic and foreign visitors. On average, each month, the village welcomes three delegations of European visitors.
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| Hung Lo ancient communal house (Photo: VNA) |
Home to 54 ethnic groups, Vietnam holds huge potential in developing this type of tourism, associated with preserving and promoting the value of native culture.
This type of tourism has contributed to improving the life of local people. To achieve sustainable livelihoods, Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute and chairman of the Vietnam Community-based Tourism Chapter (VCTC), stressed the need for locals to get ready to develop tourism, and for authorities to support them in this work.
Each locality needs to select products as orientations to develop community-based tourism, step up promotion activities, and intensify international cooperation to attract investment in this field, he added./.