Vietnam news in brief - April 12

Hanoi launches fair to showcase agricultural products and tourism

The Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), in cooperation with the Thach That District People's Committee, launched the Thach That Trade and Tourism Promotion Fair on April 11, with more than 100 booths and nearly 100 enterprises from all over the country, featuring specialties of Vietnam's regions such as fish sauce, tea and fresh vegetables, as well as art performances.

Chairman of the Thach That People's Committee, Nguyen Manh Hong, said there are 2,000 businesses in the district, with nearly 17,000 business households.  

Thach That district businesses display OCOP products at the fair. Photo: Hoai Nam

Hoa Phat to build high-speed train tracks

Hoa Phat Group Joint Stock Company announced on April 11 that it will build tracks for trains travelling at speeds of up to 850km/h at Dung Quat 2 Complex, Hoa Phat. In 2023, Hoa Phat reached US$4.8 billion in sales and US$272 million in profit. This is down 16% and 19% respectively from 2022.

Ho Chi Minh City to hold fireworks in 16 places on April 30

Ho Chi Minh City plans to hold fireworks at 16 locations, including one aerial and 15 ground, to mark the 49th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports informed on April 11.

There will be an aerial fireworks display at the Saigon River Tunnel (Thu Duc City) and 15 ground fireworks displays in Van Phuc urban area (Thu Duc City), Thanh Da Park (27th ward, Binh Thanh district), Rach Chiec Bridge (Truong Tho ward, Thu Duc City), among others.

The fireworks program will take place from 21:00 to 21:15 on 30 April 2024.

Vietnam's coffee export turnover reaches US$1.93bn in first 3 months 2024

The Vietnam Coffee - Cocoa Association (VICOFA) reported that Vietnam exported around 579,449 tonnes of coffee in the first three months of 2024, with an export turnover of around US$1.93 billion. During this period, Europe was the largest buyer of Vietnamese coffee with 278,718 tons. In particular, Germany led the bloc with 69,924 tons, followed by Italy with 63,952 tonnes.

Vietnam seeks to remove IUU yellow card

The government has tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Public Security with introducing the registration of fishing boats using VNelD, an electronic identification application that replaces physical identification cards, by July 1, 2024.

Vietnam is trying to get rid of the European Commission's yellow card, which was imposed in 2017 on Vietnamese seafood exported to the EU for IUU fishing. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), after two years of the yellow card, seafood export turnover to the EU market fell by 12%, equivalent to US$183.5 million.

Gangwon province seeks cooperation with Vietnam

The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Tourism Conference was held in Hanoi on April 11 to promote its tourism services such as Hallyu cultural tourism, healthcare tourism, winter tourism and others.

Vietnamese tourists arriving in Gangwon via Yangyang International Airport would be exempted from the visa requirement. Gangwon has 10 out of 100 recommended tourist destinations in Korea, such as Nami Island, Mureung Valley and Gangneung Coffee Road. 

Vietnamese province in top 4 of 10 great tourist destinations

The Daily Mail has published a list of the top 10 "lesser visited" wonders of the world, with Vietnam's Ninh Binh province in the top 4 after coral treasures (the Philippines, Bali and Indonesia), Mayan ruins (Central America) and Pantanal (Brazil).

The Daily Mail highlighted Ninh Binh's towering series of jagged karst pinnacles and the dramatic scenery, suggesting that travelers visit Ninh Binh in October and November when the water levels are high and the rice fields are ready for harvest.