Vietnam Trending in Australian Travelers’ Search: Vietnam News Today (Mar 18)

Titathy Nguyen, President of WEC Vietnam speaks at the press conference (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam to join 26th World Energy Congress

Vietnam will attend the 26th World Energy Congress themed “Redesigning energy for People and Planet” hosted by the Netherlands from April 22 – 25, heard a press conference held by the Vietnam World Energy Council (WEC Vietnam) in Hanoi on March 15.

This is the time the WEC has invited Vietnam to participate in the event, which aims to discuss energy development issues in the future.

Titathy Nguyen, President of WEC Vietnam, stated that the press conference was organized to promote communications on the event and guide individuals and organizations in Vietnam to participate in a globally scaled programme, thus accessing important global energy-related issues.

The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires Vietnam’s high determination, great effort, and mobilization of all resources for investment in development and ensuring social welfare across sectors, she said.

Attending the 26th World Energy Congress, Vietnamese businesses will have an opportunity to access the latest trends in the energy sector and global financial resources, enabling them to develop solutions and products using cleaner and more efficient energy, Titathy Nguyen said, adding that this will help firms not only create new business opportunities, but also enhance their international competitiveness and promote sustainable development, cited VNA.

WEC Vietnam took the occasion to launch a series of projects themed “Eternal green – Offsetting carbon footprint”.

Established in 1923, the WEC is a global energy agency recognised by the UN to represent all forms of energy, and is also a strategic partner of a number of key organizations in the energy sector. The WEC has more than 3,000 member organizations including WEC National Committees in nearly 100 countries around the world. The WEC hosts the World Energy Congress triennially.

WEC Vietnam serves as a bridge for sustainable cooperation among energy-related organizations.

Vietnamese Ambassador presents letter of credence to Zimbabwean President

Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa and Zimbabwe Hoang Sy Cuong has presented his credential letter to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

During a recent reception held for the diplomat after the presentation ceremony, President Mnangagwa congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements recorded in socio-economic development, as well as its increasing international role and position. He expressed his admiration for the country’s historical struggle for national liberation and reunification.

The host urged Ambassador Cuong to continue efforts to nurture the good political relations between the two countries and the two ruling parties, as well as ramping up economic co-operation and investment activities.

He also introduced areas and products of Zimbabwe’s strength, such as mining, cotton, and tobacco, while outlining his hope at attracting Vietnamese partners to invest in and do business in the Southern African nation, according to VOV.

Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa and Zimbabwe Hoang Sy Cuong (R) presents his credential letter to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Cuong suggested that both sides move to intensify the exchange of all-level delegations through party and state channels, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges in a bid to deepen mutual understanding and lay the foundation for all-around co-operation.

He stressed that with a foundation of friendly political relations and trust between the two sides needs to continue as they collaborate and support each other in multilateral forums, particularly at the UN.

The host agreed that the two countries should further bolster co-operation in multilateral forums.

From March 13 to March 14 the Vietnamese diplomat held working sessions with and paid courtesy calls to Secretary for Foreign Relations of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Amon Murwira.

Japanese retailer AEON to join Vietnam International Sourcing 2024

As the demand for Vietnamese agricultural products and processed foods is rising, Japan’s retailer AEON TopValu will seek suppliers for its supermarket chain Aeon at the Vietnam International Sourcing 2024, which is slated for June 6-8 in Ho Chi Minh City.

In a working session with the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s European – American Market Department, General Director of Aeon TopValu Vietnam Shiotani Yuichiro said that he has a great expectation when joining the sourcing fair.

There is a great demand for Vietnamese agricultural products and processed products in the markets where Aeon is present, he said, adding through last year’s event, Aeon TopValu found suppliers for its supermarket chain in China, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Along with persuading its purchasers from China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to engage in the event, Aeon TopValu will continue joining hands with the MoIT to organise the Vietnamese Products Week in Japan in 2024, providing more chances for Vietnamese goods to break into Japan – the No.1 fastidious market in Asia, he said.

The purchasers want to seek Vietnamese producers who are able to meet Aeon’s criteria and standards to become the retailer’s sustainable suppliers not only for its supermarkets in Vietnam but also its system across the globe, according to the Aeon representative.

By 2030, AEON plans to own 30 shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets, with the majority located in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang, Hai Phong, and other provinces nationwide, VNA reported.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

The event aims to promote direct linkages between Vietnamese manufacturing and exporting enterprises with foreign retail distribution networks and importers. It includes a series of workshops, seminars, business matching activities, and an exhibition called “Vietnam International Sourcing Expo”.

This is annual premier sourcing fair in Vietnam, bringing together the leading manufacturers and exporters in the country. Details on the event and activities to be held on its framework are available at vietnamsourcingexpo.vn.

Vietnam is among ‘top searches’ of Australian travelers

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong that Australia is a good market for Vietnam’s tourism. In 2023, Australia ranked ninth among the largest source markets for Vietnam.

In the first two months of 2024, Vietnam received 97,500 travelers from Australia, equal to 25 percent of total travelers from the country in 2023. The country was among the top six largest inbound markets, after South Korea, China, Taiwan, the US and Japan, cited VNN.

“In 2023, Vietnam’s tourism witnessed a strong recovery, receiving 12.6 million foreign travelers. Though travelers from Australia just accounted for 3 percent of total travelers, this is an important source of guests who tend to stay a long time and have high spending levels,” Phong said at a workshop on tourism development between Vietnam and Australia.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski thinks the cooperation between the two countries in tourism has been going well after upgrading to a comprehensive strategic partnership and with many direct air routes.

Darrel Wade, president of Intrepid Travel, said the number of international travelers the group brought to Vietnam in 2023 was higher than in 2019.

The Golden Bridge in the central city of Da Nang is on a list of new wonders of the world compiled by UK newspaper Daily Mail. (Photo: VNA)

He said in addition to beautiful landscapes, Vietnam has emerged as a destination with diverse experiences for Australian travelers, which has prompted Intrepid to develop new culture and food tours, in addition to its adventure tours.

He said one of the plus points is the reasonable cost.

Vietnam continues to be a favorite destination for Australians in 2024. The number of Australian outbound travelers is still 14 percent lower than that in 2019, but the number of Australian travelers to Vietnam in 2023 reached 390,000, compared to the 383,000 in 2019.

HCM City was among the top 10 most searched keywords for Australian travelers, increasing by 2.5 times over last year, according to Skyscanner in November 2023.

Australian travel firms said they hope Vietnam’s tourism will continue to improve service quality and develop green tourism. They suggested a visa waiver for Australian travelers.

The Sydney Morning Herald has named Vietnam as one of the ideal destinations in 2024.

The scenery of Ha Long Bay, highlands landscapes, beach resorts, national parks, rich history and vibrant urban life in cities attract visitors to the country.

Positive signs ahead for Vietnamese seafood exports to US

Vietnamese seafood exports to the United States during the opening two-month period of the year surged by 22.1% to US$188.5 million against the same period from last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

As a result, the US currently represents Vietnam’s second largest seafood export market behind Japan with US$196 million, accounting for 15% of the nation’s total seafood export turnover during the reviewed period.

According to Do Ngoc Hung, Vietnamese Trade Counselor to the US, besides the challenges facing Vietnamese seafood exports to the US due to a general decline in purchasing power coupled with rising transportation costs, the country’s aquatic products have great advantages in this North American market.

Specifically, Vietnamese shrimp is still popular in the US market thanks to its high processing content, focusing on value-added products, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Furthermore, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has recently issued preliminary conclusions of the 19th review (POR19) for Vietnamese frozen tra fish (pangasius) filet exports during the period from August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022.

According to the review, Vinh Hoan Joint Stock Company is entitled to enjoy a tax rate of US$0.00 per kilo, while five other enterprises are all subject to a lower anti-dumping tax rate of US$0.18 per kilo

In fact, the general anti-dumping tax duties that DOC has imposed on Vietnamese pangasius during the review stands at US$2.39 per kilo.

Do Ngoc Hung said these moves have opened up bright prospects ahead for pangasius exports in the highly lucrative market with export volume expected to rise due to the overall cost reduction.

Moreover, pangasius enterprises have proved their capacity and experience in thoroughly preparing documents during PORs launched by the DOC, Hung added.