Promoting Collaboration between Vietnamese and Chinese Localities: Vietnam News Update (Nov. 6)

Apart from a 256sq.m national pavilion of Vietnam as an honorary country at the expo, there are 34 booths by prestigious Vietnamese businesses. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends 2023 China International Import Expo

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha is attending the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) that kicked off Shanghai, China on November 5.

Apart from a 256sq.m national pavilion of Vietnam as an honorary country at the expo, displaying products, as well as video clips, photos and documents featuring its achievements and potential in economy, trade and tourism, there are 34 booths by prestigious Vietnamese businesses, covering 400sq.m.

Vietnam’s participation in CIIE contributes to promoting the country’s image in economy, investment and tourism, and fulfilling its economic goals such as increasing exports to China via the official channel and in a sustainable fashion.

The expo attracts more than 150 countries and territories and international organizations worldwide, with a total area of 300,000sq.m2. Notably, up to 289 of the world’s top 500 enterprises are participating in the event.

On the sidelines of the expo, Deputy PM Ha met with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng on November 4, during which he suggested strengthening cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese localities, cited VNA.

Ha spoke highly of Shanghai’s outstanding socio-economic achievements over the past years, as well as its important role in China’s development and the world’s economy, saying trade promotion initiatives like CIIE have contributed to boosting global trade and accelerating digital transformation and green transition.

The Vietnamese Government always values and stands ready to facilitate friendly cooperation between localities of the two countries, especially those with traditional relations and great cooperation potential like Shanghai, he affirmed.

He suggested carrying forward existing cooperation mechanisms, especially those between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City and some other localities in Vietnam such as Hanoi and Hai Phong.

The official stressed the need to maximize the potential and strengths of each side, further improve the effectiveness of economic – trade, investment and tourism cooperation, and facilitate Vietnamese goods’ access to Shanghai’s market.

He also proposed enhancing the sharing of experience in urban development and management, innovation, investment attraction, and monetary financing.

Both officials noted his hope for more cultural exchanges as well as exchanges between residents of the two countries, especially young generations.

Promoting cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese localities

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on November 4 suggested strengthening cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese localities during his meeting with Shanghai mayor Gong Zheng on the sidelines of the 2023 China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Ha highly appreciated Shanghai’s outstanding socio-economic development achievements in recent years, especially in the pilot implementation of new reform policies of China.

He emphasized the important role Shanghai plays in China’s economic development as well as the world economy, noting international trade promotion initiatives such as the CIIE have contributed to promoting global trade growth, digital transformation and green transformation.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Shanghai mayor Gong Zheng agree on the necessity of enhancing cooperation between the two countries’ localities, including between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese cities. Photo: VOV

The Deputy PM affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening the traditional friendship, neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation with China which was founded and cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and President Mao Zedong of China, as well as generations of revolutionary predecessors of the two countries.

The Government of Vietnam always supports and creates conditions for localities of the two countries, including Shanghai, to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, he assured his host.

Mayor Gong Zheng warmly welcomed the Vietnamese Government delegation to the sixth CIIE in Shanghai, at a time when the two countries are celebrating 15 years of their comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership.

He briefed his guest on Shanghai’s economic development, with last year’s GDP hitting approximately US$660 billion, ranking fifth on the list of leading cities in the world in terms of economic scale. The city is currently sprucing up construction of five world-class economic, trade, finance, transportation and science – technology centers, according to VOV.

Shanghai is ready to further enhance cooperation with Vietnamese localities, said Gong.

He proposed three key areas of future cooperation, including enhancing sustainable trade exchanges; expanding cooperation in production capacity; and deepening cultural-education cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges, especially with the younger generation, contributing to consolidating and continuously promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnerships between the two countries.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha welcomed the Mayor’s proposals, and affirmed Vietnamese localities and Shanghai have great potential to expand cooperation.

He proposed that Shanghai closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and localities to concretize the two countries’ high-level common perceptions; maintain regular exchanges; and promote the efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms, especially between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City and some other Vietnamese localities such as Hanoi and Hai Phong.

He stressed the need to maximize the potential and strengths of each side; further improve the effectiveness of economic – trade, investment and tourism cooperation; and facilitate market access for Vietnamese goods to Shanghai.

He also proposed enhancing the sharing and exchange of experiences in urban development and management, innovation, investment attraction, and monetary finance.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha is in Shanghai for the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the invitation of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and the Organizing Committee of the 6th CIIE. Vietnam is attending the 6th CIIE as an honorary country.

At the November 5-10 expo, the Vietnam pavilion features the nation’s economic achievements and its trade and tourism potential.

Vietnamese to enjoy one-week Tet holiday in 2024

The Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday will last seven days from February 8 to 14, 2024, per an official document approved by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

People go to Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City.

The decision was made at the proposal of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The Lunar New Year festival or Tet is the largest Vietnamese traditional celebration and has been since ancient times. It is not only a spiritual event that marks the change from one year to the next, but it also embodies the national culture of the country by reflecting the values and beliefs of Vietnamese people, reported VNA.

Vietnamese people believe that Tet marks the beginning of a new year, a day of hope and belief in new and good things and a farewell to the old.

Vietnamese food among 100 Best Rated dishes with pork

Three Vietnamese dishes have been named among the “100 Best Rated Dishes With Pork”, by Taste Atlas, a website dedicated to discovering fresh ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurants from around the world.

The three Vietnamese delicacies are bun bo Hue (Hue breakfast noodle soup), cha gio (Vietnamese fried spring rolls), and com tam (broken rice).

According to Taste Atlas, bun bo Hue is a staple Vietnamese soup that is traditionally consumed for breakfast. The dish consists of pork and beef bones broth, bun noodles, lemongrass, shrimp paste, lime juice, and a variety of herbs.

The soup is far spicier than most Vietnamese soups and its flavor is often described as rich and complex.

“Many believe that bun bo Hue found its way into mainstream society by way of royal order, and it was influenced by the imperial court’s cuisine,” it added.

Bun bo Hue (Hue breakfast noodle soup)

Taste Atlas revealed that Vietnamese fried spring rolls are called cha gio in the south and nem ran in northern Vietnam.

The main characteristic of these tasty rolls is the pork and shrimp filling which is wrapped in delicate rice paper.

“Frequent additions to the stuffing include vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, or mushrooms, glass noodles, and bean sprouts. The rolls are shortly fried and result in a treat with an appetizing golden color, a thin, crispy, and light outer layer, and a delectable filling,” it described.

According to the website, com tam is a traditional Vietnamese dish that is typically sold as a street food.

It consists of broken and imperfect rice grains which are traditionally chucked away after the milling process, although nowadays it’s a signature dish of Ho Chi Minh City.

Taste Atlas noted that when served com tam is usually accompanied by numerous toppings such as fried eggs, shredded pork skin, grilled pork chops, or deep-fried fish patties.

“The usual garnishes include lime wedges, chopped spring onions, and mint, while accompaniments served on the side include sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, pickled vegetables, or dipping sauces,” it concluded.

Vietnam posts trade surplus of US$24.6 billion

Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of US$24.6 billion during the first ten months of 2023, according to the General Department of Customs (GDC).

The country exported goods worth US$291.28 billion, down 7.1% from last year, while imports were estimated at US$266.67 billion, a year-on-year drop of 12.3%.

In October, Vietnam’s export revenue rose 5.3% from a month earlier to 32.31 billion, while the import turnover edged up 2.9% to US$29.31 billion, producing a trade surplus of US$3 billion, NDO reported.

Dinh Vu Container Port in Hai Phong (Photo: NDO/Thanh Dat)

According to the GDC, budget revenue from export-import activities in October reached VND32.469 trillion (US$1.323 billion), up 17.2% from the previous month.

The figure for the January-October period was VND302.394 trillion (US$12.325 billion), down 17% over the corresponding period last year.