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| VinFast's VF6 model on display at IIMS 2024 (Photo: VNA) |
During the IIMS 2024 held in Jakarta from February 15-25, VinFast is showcasing a variety of models, including VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9.
VinFast is planning to collaborate with local suppliers to establish a network of 5,000 charging stations in Indonesia, aiming to significantly boost the adoption of electric vehicles.
In a bid to penetrate the Indonesian market, VinFast also plans to build a factory in Indonesia with a projected capacity of around 50,000 cars per year. With the goal of achieving a domestic localisation rate of up to 40%, the VinFast factory is expected to create thousands of jobs and promote the local electric vehicle industry.
Quang Ninh to have 62 new tourism products in 2024
The northern border province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, plans to put 62 new tourism products into operation in 2024 to increase experiences, extend the length of stay, and promote the spending of visitors, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Specifically, there will be 11 products in the Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay area, such as boat services from Ha Long to Bai Tu Long, water games, and traditional boat race.
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| Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA) |
Ha Long city will exploit nine more products, including Korea-style pedestrian street, Bai Chay ferry, and community-based tourism in mountainous commune, while Van Don district will have 14 new products related to health care, outdoor sports, and MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism; and Co To island district seven.
In the Lunar New Year holiday from February 10-14, or the first to fifth day of the first lunar month, Quang Ninh welcomed more than 800,000 tourists, including 109,000 foreigners.
The locality is striving to serve 17 million tourist arrivals, including 3 million foreigners, this year.
Vietnamese culinary delights among Asia's finest fish dishes
Vietnam’s sweet and sour soup and clay-pot caramelised fish have respectively ranked 11th and 44th in a list of 53 best Asian fish dishes by cuisine magazine TasteAtlas, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
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| Vietnam's ca kho to - caramelized fish in clay pot (Source: TasteAtlas) |
Canh chua ca – the sweet and sour soup - refers to a range of Vietnamese fish soups known for their blend of sweet, spicy, and sour tastes. These soups are typically made with a tamarind-infused broth and feature chunks of pineapple, tomatoes, okra, bean sprouts, or assorted veggies. According to the magazine, while catfish is a common choice, other variations may include carp, snakehead fish, eels, or salmon. Typically garnished with cilantro, these soups are served alongside rice.
The soup has also earned recognition as one of the top 35 highest-rated fish soups by TasteAtlas, securing 5th position.
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| Canh chua ca (L) - sweet and sour soup - and ca kho to (Source: TasteAtlas) |
Meanwhile, ca kho to - caramelised fish in a clay pot - involves braising fatty fish cuts in clay pots. Typically featuring catfish or snakehead, the dish is caramelised with a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, and coconut water, often enhanced with sliced scallions, onions, or garlic. Traditionally, caramelised fish in a clay pot is served with rice.
The list, based on the number of votes from diners and culinary experts, also includes Indonesia’s pempek – a fish cake made from ground fish meat and tapioca starch, Bangladesh’s shorsheilish – hilsa fish cooked in a mustard sauce, and Japan's maguro, otoro, and chutoro nigiri sushi that feature different cuts and qualities of tuna.
Vietnam rakes in over US$14 million from longan exports
Vietnam earned more than US$14 million from exporting longans last year, witnessing a 2.5-fold rise year on year, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the figures of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
The fruit secured the second largest export growth last year after durian, with China, Australia, Thailand, and Japan all being the major importers.
Paul Le, vice president of Central Retail in Vietnam, said Vietnamese longans have been favoured among Thai consumers as the export volume of the fruit to the market soared by about 40% last year.
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Vietnam rakes in over US$14 million from longan exports (Photo: VOV)
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Last year witnessed the export price of Vietnamese longans remain stable. Currently, the price of Ido longan, a longan variety from Thailand grown in Vietnam, stood at between VND16,000 and VND18,000 per kilo. At this price, local farmers earned a profit of between VND8 million and VND15 million per 1,000 square metres.
With regard to future export prospects, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said China is the largest consumer of Vietnamese longans, noting that the Vietnamese fruit is highly competitive with the Thai in the potential market thanks to its improved product quality, helping to meet stringent export standards.
Currently, longan is among the top five fruit trees with the largest growing area in Vietnam with more than 80,000 hectares and an average output of about 600,000 tonnes annually./.