Vietnamese spices being showcased at a trade fair in Italy in September 2021. (Photo: VNA)
Vu Kim Hanh, chairwoman of the Business Association of Vietnamese High Quality Products, said localities and firms in the spices and seasoning industry had devised production recovery plans, turned to advanced technologies, diversified products, and capitalised on recent free trade agreements Vietnam has signed to bolster exports once COVID-19 is brought under control.
According to the Trade Promotion Agency, Vietnam’s agricultural sector and the spices and seasonings industry have enjoyed a remarkable transition, turning the country into a global supplier of those products.
Trade promotions and technical support have helped firms surmount difficulties and develop by producing more added value items, according to Hanh.
Vietnamese firms have also worked to gradually meet more stringent requirements by foreign partners, and are able to provide high-quality and safe added value products.
Among Vietnamese spices, peppercorn has gained a foothold in the international market and accounts for a lion’s share of exports.
Demand for peppercorn and other spices is on the rise while global exports have been declining due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, whose fallout includes skyrocketing logistics fees.
Dh Foods Joint Stock Company has signed a deal with the US’s Heritage Beverage Company making it the exclusive distributor of its speciality spices in that country, and plans to ship 10 containers this year starting in the third quarter.
Its general director, Nguyen Trung Dung, hopes that Heritage will help his company conquer the Asian food market in the US, which is valued at 40 billion USD and serves 30 million people of Asian origin, including three million from Vietnam.
It is estimated that more than 80 percent of supermarkets have Asian food stalls.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest importers of Vietnamese spices.
The Middle Eastern nation consumes many kinds of spices, mainly imported, including from Vietnam.
But Middle Eastern people have a habit of seeing, touching and feeling products before ordering them, and so businesses should send samples to customers first.
Photo: congthuong.vn
They should also send their goods to the Trade Office for display at the showroom for Vietnam's export staples.
Bui Trung Thuong, Vietnam's trade counsellor in India, said that country’s annual imports of flavourings and spices were worth 1.4 billion USD, with pepper accounting for 120 million USD. But only 20-30 million USD worth of pepper was imported from Vietnam, he said.
To increase exports to India, he said businesses should step up the use of technology and study the spices from other countries available in the market to make products that better meet the tastes of customers.
With its tropical weather and diverse range of eco-systems, Vietnam is rich in spices, including many special and popular ones such as cinnamon, anise, pepper, cardamom, and chilli.
It is one of the leading exporters of a number of spices such as peppercorn, of whose global exports it accounts for a whopping 90 percent.
Vietnamese products are becoming better thanks to improved technology at all stages from cropping and harvesting to processing and packaging.
Vietnamese photographer wins prizes at international photography contest
Local photographer Bach Ngoc Tu claimed a number of prizes at Spring Clicks Circuit 2022, an international photography contest held in Montenegro, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
A photo by Bach Ngoc Tu wins two gold medals at Spring Clicks 2022
The Spring Clicks Circuit was held this year to honour artistic works in four categories, namely nature, open colour, open monochrome, and people. It attracted a range of professional and amateur photographers from 65 countries from across the world.
Bach Ngoc Tu, a Vietnamese photographer born in Quang Ninh province, grabbed two golds, one silver, one bronze, two honorable mentions, as well as two certificates of exhibitions on nature and people.
The contest is held under the sponsorship of world photograph organisations, including FIAP, PSA, FSM, GRADAC PGI, VICTORY P.W, FK OHRID, FSS, and FKK CACAK.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 10 in Montenegro.
Hue Imperial Citadel to open night street zone from April 22
A night street zone around Hue Imperial Citadel City, a UNESCO-recognised World Cultural Heritage, is set to be officially launched on April 22 at Ngo Mon Square, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to the Hue City People's Committee and the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.
A night street zone around Hue Imperial Citadel is expected to open as of April 22
Following several postponements caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the night street zone will open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.
Organisers say the night street is anticipated to offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Hue royal space through unique art programmes. Coming there, visitors will also explore traditional craft products and Hue cuisine at various stalls located throughout the zone.
Vo Le Nhat, chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, said the night street zone will span across the August 23 Road and Le Huan street on a pilot basis, as well as connecting to other areas in the Hue Imperial Citadel. They include Tinh Tam Lake - Hoc Hai Lake, the Tang Tho Lau (Library), the Tran Binh Dai - Mang Ca garrison area, the Ngu Ha River, and the Thuong Thanh - Eo Bau space.
The local government will provide free admission to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities at No 3 Le Truc street in Hue City from April 17 to the end of May 17.
Throughout the year visitors will be exempt from entrance fees to tourist attractions at the Hue ancient citadel relic complex during the Lunar New Year, Thua Thien-Hue liberation day on March 26 and National Day on September 2.
Local authorities expect the launch of the night street zone will boost the nighttime economy and contribute to reviving the local tourism industry which has been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
School attendance reaches 99.57 percent post-COVID-19
As of April 18, school attendance had reached 99.57 percent after all schools were reopened post-COVID-19, reported Vietnam News Agency according to data from the Ministry of Education and Training.
Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA)
All cities and provinces have developed scenarios and sufficiently prepared for the school reopening to ensure educational quality and the students’ safety.
The ministry has requested schools to flexibly offer catch-up lessons that fit each specific group of students and the local pandemic risk level.
Schools have also been urged to make the most of the time when the students are at school to provide core lessons to avoid putting more pressure on them./.