Notably, while Vietnam's major tuna import markets suffered a decline, the nation's tuna exports to the RoK enjoyed impressive growth.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) this year, although the won strongly depreciated against the US dollar, causing the price of imported tuna to increase. However due to the decrease in the fishing fleet's output, the RoK had to increase imports from other countries, including Vietnam.
In the group of exported tuna products of Vietnam, the export of processed and canned tuna to the RoK is currently seeing spike, with canned tuna growing by 468% over the same period from last year.
In the Korean market, Vietnam is the 8th largest tuna suppliers, but the largest supplier of processed and canned tuna in the first half of 2023.
Data from the International Trade Center (ITC) indicate that in the first half of this year, while total tuna imports to the RoK drop by 7% in volume, but imports from Vietnam rose by more than 4 times.
Canned and processed tuna products of Vietnam account for nearly 77% of the East Asian nation's total imports of this product.
National Day marked in Japan, France, Sri Lanka
Vietnamese representative missions in Japan, France and Sri Lanka held ceremonies on recent days to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang (third, left) and delegates at President Ho Chi Minh’s Monument in Montreau park (Photo: VNA) |
At an event held in Osaka, Japan on August 31, Vietnamese Consul General to Osaka Ngo Trinh Ha highlighted achievements of Vietnam in socio-economic development and foreign affairs.
He stressed that among Vietnam's diplomatic relations with 193 countries, the relationship with Japan is one of the most important strategic ties for Vietnam.
The diplomat noted that the bilateral relations have developed fruitfully over the last five decades across fields from politics, economics, security to regional and international issues, which is also true for the cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the Kansai region.
For his part, Watanabe Shigeki, Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture read a letter from Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi congratulating Vietnam on its National Day and expressing his wish to further develop close relations with Vietnam in many fields.
In his congratulatory speech, Himeno Tsutomu, representative of the Government of Japan and Ambassador in charge of Kansai region affirmed that the Japan-Vietnam relationship is a particularly important relationship.
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| Participants at the ceremony in Osaka (Photo: VNA) |
The same day, the Embassy of Vietnam in France held an incense offering ceremony in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh in Paris on the occasion of the National Day of Vietnam.
After the incense offering ceremony, a delegation led by Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang laid a wreath at President Ho Chi Minh’s Monument and visited the Ho Chi Minh Space at the Museum of Living History at Montreau park.
In a similar ceremony organised in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 29, Vietnamese Ambassador Ho Thi Thanh Truc briefed the guests on Vietnam's development process over the past 78 years.
She expressed her pleasure to see the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka being increasingly strengthened for the benefit of the two peoples.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera affirmed that economic and trade cooperation is one of the pillars in the two countries' relationship, contributing to growth and prosperity of both nations.
He also highly valued cultural cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka in coordination with the Sri Lanka - Vietnam Solidarity Association organised a flower offering ceremony at President Ho Chi Minh's Monument in the Colombo Public Library and a meeting with representatives from political parties friendly to Vietnam as well as many friends who love the country.
Vietnam joins 12th World Chili Pepper Trade Fair in Italy
Vietnam is among exhibitors at the 12th edition of the World Chili Pepper Trade Fair in the city of Rieti, Italy, from August 30 to September 3, showcasing not only its best chili products but also other spices like pepper, tea, coffee, cinnamon and anise, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| The Vietnamese stall at the fair. (Photo: VNA) |
The annual event is part of the Vietnam - Italy Year 2023 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
This year, it features more than 160 booths with about 450 chili varieties from all over the world displayed. Various cultural and culinary activities are also expected to draw hundreds of thousands of chili enthusiasts and foreign visitors.
Visiting the Vietnamese stall, Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida discussed with Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung measures to promote bilateral agricultural cooperation.
Hung affirmed that with a market of 100 million people, Vietnam is a good choice for Italy to expand markets of agro-forestry-aquatic products.
Within the framework of the event, Hung attended a conference on food sovereignty, met with representatives of the Rieti Chamber of Commerce and visited several local businesses.
He affirmed that Vietnam and Italy share similarities in the economic structure with many small- and medium-sized enterprises. The two economies are complementary in terms of industries and products, and will bring great added value when cooperating with each other.
Vietnam to sends over 500-member delegation to 19th ASIAD
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung on August 31 signed a decision on the formation of the Vietnamese sports delegation to the 19th Asian Games (ASIAD), which will kick off in China in late September, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| The Vietnamese sports delegation at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (Photo: VNA) |
The delegation, led by Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Dang Ha Viet, comprises more than 500 members, including 90 coaches and 337 athletes of 31 sports.
The Vietnamese male and female football teams' squads have yet to be revealed.
The Vietnam sports delegation to the 19th ASIAD is divided into three groups. The first group includes players in Chinese chess, sepak takraw, shooting, karate, cycling, weightlifting, and archery. The second one are athletes in swimming, athletics, rowing, canoeing, table tennis, chess, tennis, gymnastics, roller, boxing, taekwondo, wrestling, wushu, judo, kurash, jujitsu, and fencing. The last group comprises volleyball, football, golf, badminton, soft tennis, e-sport, and breakdancing.
A send-off ceremony for the delegation will take place on September 20.
Swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang has been selected as the flag holder of Vietnam at the ASIAD opening ceremony.
At the 19th ASIAD, Vietnam aims for 2-5 gold medals.
At the 18th ASIAD, Vietnam won four gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals./.