Vietnam news in brief - June 21

The 10^th seed and high-tech farming fair ongoing in Ho Chi Minh City

The 10th Ho Chi Minh City Seed and High-Tech Agriculture Fair is underway at Binh Phu Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 6. In a four-day event that ends on June 23, the fair introduces recent achievements and solutions in high-tech farming among all 63 provinces and cities, especially using AI apps to analyze produce, and drones to water the fields.

The fair gathers 300 booths and is divided into three sections.

Bronze statue of Goddess Durga returned to Vietnam

The bronze statue of Goddess Durga. Photo: baovanhoa.vn

A bronze statue of Goddess Durga has been returned to Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The statue is now kept at the National Museum of History in Hanoi for study, preservation and display. The statue was retrieved in August 2023 in London, England from illegal smugglers.

The statue originated from the seventh century. It carries the mix of cultural traits between Oc Eo and Champa cultures in the southern region of Vietnam.

Haiphong to open night street for culinary and cultural promotion

The government of the northern port city of Haiphong will open a night culinary and cultural zone on Phung Chi Kien Street in Ngo Quyen District next month. The zone will run for a year and last from 7pm to 2am every day. On Saturday and Sunday nights, there will be art performances of dance clubs, music bands, and professional artists, enhancing tourism and urban culture.

The program aims to promote local culture, and boost the district’s socio-economic growth.

Largest Vietnamese worker communities in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea

Japan, Taiwan (China), and South Korea were the primary destinations for Vietnamese labor during January-June 2024, according to the Department of Overseas Labor under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

As of June 20, there were more than 78,000 Vietnamese nationals working abroad, including some 24,000 women. Of the total, nearly 40,600 workers went to Japan, some 27,000 traveled to Taiwan, and about 5,500 employees were sent to South Korea.

Michelin Guides releases new list of Bib Gourmand restaurants in Vietnam

Michelin Guides has announced the Bib Gourmand list for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a week before the main event on June 27. In this second release, the restaurant rating agency names 42 Bib Gourmand establishments across Vietnam.

Of the total, 18 restaurants are located in Hanoi, including five new ones, and there are 24 in Ho Chi Minh City, including eight new ones. Last year, Vietnam had 29 establishments recognized in the Bib Gourmand list.