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| Vietnamese fruits at Fruit Logistica. (Photo: VNA) |
Seven Vietnamese companies brought their products to the event. This is the third year that Vietnam has joined the exhibition.
Tran Van Cong, Agricultural Counsellor at the Vietnamese delegation to the EU, said that the European market spends up to 300 billion USD to import agricultural products, including about 60 billion USD for the fruit and vegetable group alone. So, there is huge potential for Vietnam's exports.
In the coming time, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will carry out an action programme to promote the export of agricultural products to the European market as well as strengthen coordination with relevant agencies and guide localities and businesses to assist farmers in producing products that are qualified to enter the EU.
More promotional work will be done so that Vietnamese goods can penetrate deeply and widely into the European market, he said.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover to the German market surpassed 36 million USD in 2023, an increase of 45.6% from the previous year.
Fruit Logistica is the world's most important trade fair for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, aiming to increase businesses' direct access to global markets. This year, it focuses on fresh vegetables, fruits, organic products, and innovative solutions in agricultural processing equipment and machinery. The exhibition attracted 2,770 businesses from 94 countries around the world this year.
Huong Pagoda Festival to begin on February 11
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| Built in the late 17th century, the Huong Pagoda Complex has a large number of pagodas, temples, and caverns filled with marvelous stalactites and stalagmites. (Photo: VNA) |
The Huong Pagoda Festival, the longest of its kind in Vietnam, is set to open in Huong Son commune, Hanoi’s outlying district of My Duc, on February 11 (the second day of the lunar new year) and last until May 1, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Speaking at a recent meeting on the festival organisation, Vice Chairman of the My Duc district People's Committee Dang Van Canh who is also head of the festival organising board, affirmed preparations for the festival have completed.
This year, e-tickets will be used instead of paper ones as a measure to curb congestion and overcrowding in the first days of the festival.
The Huong Son relic site management board has improved the quality of boat management, along with locating restaurants and regulating traffic flows.
About 3,800 - 4,500 boats are qualified to provide service at this year's festival. Moreover, 110 electrical cars will be available on three routes, namely Hoi Xa bus station - Yen Vy ferry station, Duc Khe bus station - Dong Cu station, and Road No1 bus station - Tuyet Son pagoda ferry station.
Going to Huong Pagoda is a spiritual journey to the Buddhist Land – where the Goddess of Mercy leads a religious life.
Visitors have sightseeing trips to pagodas, temples and caves which are the main attractions at the Huong pagoda festival, and join ceremonies to ask for favours from Lord Buddha.
Built in the late 17th century, the Huong Pagoda Complex has a large number of pagodas, temples, and caverns filled with marvelous stalactites and stalagmites.
The Huong Tich cavern has the autograph of Lord Trinh Sam in 1770, describing the cavern as the most beautiful cave in the country.
It was recognised as a special national relic site in 2018.
Localities, travel companies offer products, services to attract tourists during Tet
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| A spring fair will be held in Asia Park in central Da Nang city (Photo: VNA) |
Localities and tourism businesses have prepared many products and services to attract tourists during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, reported Vietnam News Agency.
According to research and surveys by the Outbox Company, domestic tourism will still be a priority for tourists during Tet 2024.
One of the world's leading online travel platforms, Booking.com announced a list of the ten most popular domestic destinations on this occasion based on searches and bookings from February 8-14 (the 29th day of the 12th lunar month to the 5th day of the first lunar month). Beach tourism remains the top choice with six out of ten most-searched destinations having beautiful beaches, such ascNha Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, and Hoi An.
To attract visitors during Tet, cities and provinces have planned various activities.
Hanoi has just launched a nighttime tourism programme "Ngoc Son temple - Mysterious Night". Organised on evenings of the first four days of the week starting February, each tour under the experimental programme lasts for 60 minutes and serves between 60 and 70 visitors.
At other tourist attractions in the city like the Temple of Literature, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake, many activities will be held during Tet.
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| A spring festival will open in the Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain national tourism site in the southern province of Tay Ninh (Photo: VNA) |
Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can visit the flower festival "Spring of Love - Tet Reunion", Nguyen Hue flower street, Vietnamese Tet Festival 2024.
In Da Nang city, there will be a spring festival, the "Han River Dance" festival, street music events, and the Quang Da Tet culinary culture festival.
According to the Da Nang municipal Department of Tourism, it expects to serve nearly 362,000 tourists, including 172,000 foreigners, during Tet, an increase of 23% from the same period in 2023. More than 890 flights are expected to arrive in Da Nang during the period, an increase of 16% over the same period last year.
According to travel companies, this year, tourists tend to tighten their spending but still prioritise choosing high-quality tours at reasonable prices. Holidaymakers ask for product information and book tours earlier to get good service prices and suitable departure schedules.
Deputy Director of the Domestic Tourism Division at Saigontourist Travel Services Co., Ltd Vu Hai Sam said that from the 23th day of 12th lunar month to the 10th day of first lunar month, the company plans to serve more than 28,000 domestic and international tourists, a year-on-year increase of 20%.
He said that tours to northern localities, ranging from 9-15 million VND (366-610 USD), have been attractive to visitors.
Saigontourist also recorded optimistic signals from the international tourist market as cruise ship Celebrity Solstice carrying about 2,300 passengers and crew will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the 5th day of the lunar new year, and it will cruise to Nha Trang and Hue and then to Ha Long on the 9th day.
Paradise Vietnam's cruise ships will organise many attractive activities for tourists during Tet. Participating in journeys of discovery, tourists can enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes, attend New Year's Eve parties, receive lucky money, try King Bao Dai's dress, and enjoy entertainment and art programmes.
With a one-day cruise tour in Ha Long Bay, tourists can enjoy a meal while watching the art show "Dance of the Sea" on the Paradise Delight restaurant cruise ship.
"Dance of the Sea" which officially serves tourists from April 2023 is an art performance programme imbued with Vietnamese culture, designed specifically for yachts on the bay.
Petrol prices drop by up to 900 VND per litre
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| A motorbike is refilled at a gas station of Petrolimex. (Photo: VNA) |
Petrol prices were slashed by up to 900 VND per litre by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance from 3pm on February 8, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Accordingly, the price of the popular type of RON 95 fell 900 VND to 23,260 VND (0.95 USD) per litre. Meanwhile, the price of E5 was decreased by 790 VND to 22,120 VND per litre.
Diesel oil is now priced at 20,700 VND per litre, down 290 VND.
In the latest fuel price adjustment, the two ministries decided to use the petrol price stabilisation fund for mazut oil only.
Businesses revised their petrol prices basing on this adjustment by the two ministries./.