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| Furniture production at Manh He Furniture Company Limited, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) |
The US is currently the largest importer of Vietnam's wood and wood products, accounting for over 50% of the market share. It is followed by China and Japan.
Among Vietnam’s top 15 export markets, wood and wood product exports to Spain sees the strongest increase, at over 63%.
Chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association Do Xuan Lap emphasised the need for businesses to better their competitive edge through five pillars of production technology, low-emission manufacturing, management, trade promotion, and internal monitoring standards.
Meanwhile, Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Department of Forestry, highlighted the importance of enhancing trade promotion activities, especially through fairs and exhibitions.
In particular, to prepare a legal and high-quality raw material supply for exports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to implement policies that encourage the development of large and certified sustainable forest management timber, and the development of cooperation and linkages in forest plantation production associated with the consumption of forest products.
It is currently piloting the issuance of codes for material growing areas in the provinces of Bac Giang, Lang Son, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai. Afterward, this will be scaled up to ensure a steady supply of legally sourced timber that meets international market requirements, particularly the EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUTR), Bao added.
Largest world teqball championships opens in HCM City
The largest ever World Teqball Championships promises a thrilling competition played by elite athletes in Ho Chi Minh City, said the Vietnam News Agency.
More than 220 players from 95 countries and regions, a record for the tournament, will entertain local and international supporters from December 4 to 7 at the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Lam Son Park and Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1.
Vietnam, as the hosts, will have highest number participating, nine, followed by Germany and Malaysia with seven.
Players will vie for titles in five categories – men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles – the organisers announced at a press conference on December 3.
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The fourth World Teqball Championships will have a record number of participants competing
in HCM City from December 4 to 7. (Photo: doanhnhansaigon.vn) |
Along with matches, spectators will be entertained with several other attractions, including a 3D map with the theme 'Hello Vietnam!' in the area in front of the city's People's Committee, a southern-style oriental house and tea presentation show.
"With the support of the Hungarian government, teqball is gradually growing in popularity in Vietnam, becoming a new and attractive sport," said Deputy Director of HCM City Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Nam Nhan.
"We believe that this sport is a perfect match for the physical attributes of the Vietnamese people. In the initial stages of development, we have established a team to participate in this world competition and will later spread the movement more widely in the community".
The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) currently has 122 national federations, more than 2,000 clubs around the world and more than 1,800 trained referees. FITEQ organised three World Cups in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The sport is also recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Oceania Olympic Council (ONOC), the Olympic Council of Africa (ANOCA) and is expected to be included in the Olympics in 2028.
Vietnam team preparation
According to coach Le Quang Khang, Vietnam , with five men and four women, will compete in all categories with high expectations of some home wins.
He said most of the players have switched from sepak takraw, shuttlecock kicking and football to teqball. Because of their elite physical fitness, they are able to transition to the new sport easily.
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Vietnamese teqball team are practicing actively (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)
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Last October, the team also had the opportunity to train in Hungary and hone their professionalism with international experts.
Ba Truong Giang couldn't wait to take part in the event, as it is the first time that he is able to face the world's strongest players, a rare opportunity to learn from them and improve his skills.
"As sepak takraw player originally, I find that there are common technical points between teqball and sepak takraw, such as how to make a header and a santo and bounce the ball with your thighs. Practising sepak takraw can support teqball and vice versa," said Giang.
"At the upcoming world championship, my teammates and I are determined to do our best and get some positive results."
Another player Do Bao Huy said: "Teqball is a unique sport, combining many elements from football, table tennis and sepak takraw, requiring players' dexterity and ability to coordinate many body parts.
"We are honoured to represent Vietnam at the world tournament. After the Hungarian training camp, we have markedly improved our skills. Although it is our first time playing and we do not have heavy expectations, I will give it my all to get a high result at home," he said.
Eleven-month seafood export almost reaches 9.2 billion USD
Vietnam's seafood industry is riding a wave of success, with November exports reeling in an impressive 924 million USD, a 17% annual increase, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the figures of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Total earnings in the 11-month period came close to 9.2 billion USD, an 11.5% year-on-year surge, putting the country on track to meet its 10 billion USD export target for 2024.
Shrimp exports are set to top 4 billion USD by year-end, while other key seafood products like tra fish and tuna also posted robust growth. The export value of mollusks, in particular, skyrocketed by 180%.
In addition, the domestic seafood industry is actively boosting the processing and export of by-products such as fish meal, said VASEP Communications Director Le Hang.
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Eleven-month seafood export almost reaches 9.2 billion USD (Photo: vneconomy.vn)
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In the first 10 months of this year, fish meal netted 220.4 million USD, with full-year earnings projected at 264 million USD. China, consuming nearly 90% of Vietnam's fish meal exports, solidifies its position as the primary destination.
China (including Hong Kong) has eclipsed the US as Vietnam’s largest seafood importer, with a remarkable 61% growth in November. This pushed the cumulative import value for the first 11 months to over 1.7 billion USD, an annual 19% rise.
The US market spent 1.67 billion USD on Vietnamese seafood in the 11-month period with a 21% increase in November. Despite looming US tariffs, the outlook for December remains buoyant.
Hang expressed confidence that Vietnam will achieve its 10 billion USD export goal for aquatic products in 2024, an 11.5% increase from 2023. Shrimp and tra fish remain the industry's backbone, with an optimistic forecast for seafood exports in 2025 despite challenges from international trade policies./.
2024 Vietnam Business Day opens shop in Japan
The Vietnam Business Association in Japan (VJBA) on December 3 held the 2024 Vietnam Business Day with the theme “Shared Vision, Shared Success", the Vietnam News Agency reported.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu described it as an important occasion with significant meaning for the association in particular and the Vietnamese business community in general.
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| Delegates at the 2024 Vietnam Business Day (Photo: VNA) |
He expressed his hope that in the coming time, the association will expand its presence, admit more members, and carry out more practical activities that benefit both its members and the community, while also reinforcing the position of Vietnamese enterprises in Japan.
VJBA President Tong Kim Giao said that 2025 will be a crucial year as the association sets higher goals for connecting businesses from both countries. It plans to organise several business trips to Vietnam to enhance the effectiveness of Vietnam-Japan investment cooperation, strengthen human resources training, and expand the network of experts to help enterprises adapt to new challenges.
Building on the success of the first event held in 2023, the second edition aims to promote trade, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges between the Vietnamese and Japanese business communities./.