Photo: VOV

Bright prospects ahead for exports to Japan and RoK

With Vietnamese goods making up only 2.7% and 3.3% in Japan and the Republic of Korea, respectively, there remains a wealth of opportunities open for Vietnamese exports to enter these promising markets, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Do Quoc Hung, deputy director of the Asia-Africa Market Department under the MoIT, revealed that both Japan and the RoK have great import demand in areas where Vietnam has strengths.

Japan imports garments and textiles worth about US$24 billion annually, although Vietnamese export turnover to the market stands at only US$2.9 billion, equivalent to roughly 12% of the market share in Japan.

Vietnam also exports leather and footwear products worth US$823 million to this market, accounting for only 18% of the overall market share, cited VOV.

Moreover, some Vietnamese agricultural exports such as bananas, frozen vegetables, coffee, cashew nuts, aquatic, and wooden products make up just 0.6%, 1.6%, 14%, 5.2%, 22%, and less than 5% of the market share in Japan, respectively.

Hung pointed out that Vietnamese exports to both Japan and RoK enjoy tax incentives under the signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with tariffs placed on garments and textiles, aquatic products, and fruits slashed to 0%.

Meanwhile, other countries in the region such as China, Bangladesh, and India are subject to high tax rates when exporting products to these markets.

However, Vietnamese businesses are currently encountering difficulties in meeting the high import standards set in terms of quality and sustainability for the environment and society, Hung noted.

In addition, local businesses have not fully tapped into distribution channels, with management capacity remaining weak.

Insiders have advised local firms to strictly monitor market requirements and stringent regulations set on food hygiene, safety, and traceability by importers, as well as further exploring consumer trends and tastes in a bid to boost exports to these markets moving forward.

Japan and the RoK are currently the two leading foreign investors in Vietnam. They are also Vietnam’s two major economic partners accounting for more than 20% of its total trade turnover with the world.

Vietnamese Karate fighters conclude competitions in SEA Games 32 with six golds

Vietnamese Karate fighters bagged one more gold medal, the sixth one at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) after defeating their Philippine rivals at the female team kumite event on May 8.

With two victories of Nguyen Thi Ngoan and Truong Thi Thuong, the Vietnamese female team won gold without having to wait for the results of the third match of Dinh Thi Huong.

At the same time, the male team, comprising Chu Van Duc, Do Thanh Nhan, Do Manh Hung, Vo Van Hien, Tran Le Tan Dat, Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep and Lo Van Bien also won a gold medal in the male team kumite after a close win 3-2 over their Malaysian rivals in the final match.

Overall, the Vietnamese Karate team concluded their competitions at SEA Games 32 with six gold medals, doubling the target set before the largest regional sports event kicked off, according to VNA.

The Vietnamese Karate team concluded their competitions at SEA Games 32 with six gold medals, doubling the target (Photo: VNA)

Earlier on May 7, Hoang Thi My Tam beat her Indonesian rival 4-3 in the women's kumite 55kg event to bring home a gold medal. In the women's under 68kg categories, Dinh Thu Huong defeated an athlete from the Philippines by 7-4 to seize another gold medal for Vietnam. On May 6, Vietnam also won two gold medals in the team performance events.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's billiards team also won a silver medal with a victory of Phung Kien Tuong in the women's 3-cushion carom singles. Nguyen Hoang Yen Nhi will play Pheavy from Cambodia in the final match of the event this afternoon.

SEA Games 32 with 38 sports is taking place from May 5-17 in the capital city of Phnom Penh and four other localities, including Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep.

Vietnamese food outlet listed among 100 best restaurants in New York

A Vietnamese food restaurant called “Mắm” has been ranked 26th among the 100 best restaurants in New York, as announced by The New York Times.

The most exciting Vietnamese food in town currently comes from this tiny and irregular weekend pop-up. Exactly which exciting Vietnamese food the eatery will give you, though, is hard to say, the US newspaper wrote.

Last summer, Jerald Head and his wife, Nhung Dao, specialised in bún đậu mắm tôm, a Hanoi-style lunch of creamy homemade tofu, compressed cubes of vermicelli, blood sausage, and other treats meant to be dipped in a fermented shrimp sauce whose potent, fish-market smell can become a minor obsession.

More recently they’ve been selling more clam-and-noodle soup swimming with dill. The main dish is announced and sold a few days ahead online, but keep an eye out for the surprise appetizers on offer, according to The New York Times.

The food outlet was founded by Vietnamese citizen Nhung Dao and her husband Jerald Head.

Photo: VOV

Located in the southeast of Manhattan, their restaurant is open only from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and from midday to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Each set costs US$32, equivalent to VND800,000.

Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi of Japan tops the New York Times list, followed by Atomix of the Republic of Korea, and Le Bernardin of France.

The other establishments in the 100 best restaurants in New York are representatives of Italy, Puerto Rica, China, Thailand, and India.

Chip-based passports can be provided online, sent via post

The Government’s National Public Service Portal has by now integrated services to facilitate people in issuing new and exchanging chip-based passports, and receiving them via post.

The move aims to provide more convenience to citizens and promote the transparency of public administration, cited VNA.

Vietnamese passport (Photo: VNA)

To perform this, Vietnamese citizens can access the portal at http://dichvucong.gov.vn to make an online declaration, pay fees online and receive their passports by post.

Passport delivery process is carried out very strictly, with all information kept confidential. the Vietnam Post has increased the application of technology in all stages to shorten the delivery time.

Statistics show that as of the end of March, the corporation had delivered over 300,000 passports.

Trang An Festival attracts thousands of visitors

Trang An Festival 2023 was launched at Trang An cultural and natural heritage complex in Ninh Binh Province on May 7, attracting thousands of locals and visitors.

The traditional festival highlights unique features of culture and religion in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh Province.

The festival is held annually to commemorate Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong, a general under the reign of the 18th Hung King, and to commemorate the Tran Kings for their great roles in building and protecting the nation, NDO reported.

Dragon dance on the river at Trang An Festival 2023 (Photo: Le Hong)

Themed “Trang An connects heritages”, this year’s festival features various cultural and musical activities to promote the unique traditions of Vietnam, such as a dragon dance on the river, a water procession, an incense offering, a ceremony praying for peace and stability, folk songs and dances, photo exhibitions, and others.

Trang An Festival is also an opportunity to boast potentials, strengths, and landscapes of Ninh Binh Province, thereby promoting local socio-economic development, especially the tourism sector. It is also expected to inspire patriotic tradition and raise community awareness in preserving and promoting the unique cultural values of the nation as well as the Trang An cultural and natural heritage.

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