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Cuban hero Fernando Gonzalez Llort, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), speaks at the campfire night on January 24. (Photo: VNA)

Cuban hero reaffirms special friendship, solidarity with Vietnam

A wide range of activities will be organized by relevant agencies during the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year 2025 to further intensify the special solidarity and friendship, as well as long-lasting brotherhood between the two countries.

He made the remark while addressing a campfire night hosted by ICAP on January 24 to strengthen international solidarity among countries around the world. The event gathered representatives from 42 embassies in the Caribbean nation.

The ICAP President emphasized the importance of friendship and solidarity, saying that these are crucial factors in ensuring peace in the world and happiness for people.

He also expressed gratitude to many countries for their support for Cuba's revolutionary cause, cited VNA.

For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long highlighted the significance of the event in strengthening the friendship among nations worldwide, stressing the support from the international solidarity movement for the Cuban revolution.

A wide range of activities will be organized by relevant agencies of both nations during the Friendship Year to further intensify the special solidarity and friendship, as well as long-lasting brotherhood between Vietnam and Cuba, the diplomat said.

Nordic green transition creates new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses

The shift towards green production and consumption in Nordic nations presents both opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese export businesses.

Nordic countries accelerate green transition

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, which also covers the Nordic market, in the context of green transition and sustainable development, Nordic nations such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark continue to lead with pioneering policies on renewable energy, circular economy, and technological innovation. These policies not only shape the future of the Nordic economy but also pose challenges and offer opportunities for Vietnamese export businesses.

In particular, green transition and carbon neutrality are expected to remain key priorities in the region. These countries aim to increase the share of renewable energy and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

In Sweden and Denmark, businesses must meet very strict environmental standards, especially for products with a high carbon footprint. For Vietnamese exporters, this means improving production processes, reducing fossil fuel use, and developing sustainable products. Items such as wooden furniture, textiles, and agricultural products will have a significant advantage if certified as using renewable energy or environmentally friendly materials.

For specific sectors, Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, noted that the rapidly growing electric vehicle market in the Nordic region presents opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to engage in the supply chain for electric vehicle components and parts. Domestic manufacturers can take advantage of this trend by investing in production technology and exporting products for the green transportation sector.

The circular economy will increasingly become a crucial element in the value chain in the Nordic region. Policies promoting recycling and reuse, as well as replacing plastics with bio-based materials, are setting new standards for imported products. For Vietnamese businesses, producing eco-friendly packaging or using alternative materials such as bioplastics from wood pulp, cellulose, or recycled products will help increase competitiveness in this demanding market.

The agro, seafood, and processed food sectors need to focus more on green, reusable packaging. Additionally, ensuring sustainable production processes, complying with waste management standards, and reducing emissions will be essential to maintaining and expanding market share in the Nordic region.

Moreover, the Nordic countries play a key role in promoting green trade and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This mechanism will impose taxes on imported products with high CO2 emissions, putting pressure on Vietnamese exporters, especially in sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals, and aluminum. To adapt, Vietnamese businesses need to shift to green production models, reduce emissions in the supply chain, and demonstrate their ability to meet the stringent environmental standards set by the EU.

What are opportunities for Vietnamese businesses?

Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy stated that while green transition trends may pose challenges, they also create opportunities for environmentally friendly products and services from Vietnam. Businesses capable of providing eco-friendly products, such as organic agricultural goods, handicrafts made from natural materials, or recycled items, will find ample opportunities to enter this lucrative market.

"The Nordic market, with its focus on green, sustainable consumption, and high-tech trends, offers many opportunities for Vietnamese businesses," said Hoang Thuy. She also mentioned that the demand for organic agricultural products and processed food continues to grow significantly, with products such as coffee, tea, and cashews—already known for their quality in the EU market—having the potential to expand their market share even further.

Particularly, processed seafood such as shrimp, catfish, and frozen seafood products are popular choices due to their compliance with food safety standards and traceability. Developing products that are certified organic or environmentally friendly will help Vietnamese businesses gain a competitive edge, according to VOV.

Vietnamese businesses need to boost green transition to meet the strict requirements of the Nordic market for organic agricultural products.

In addition to food, garments, textiles, and footwear are key products for Vietnam in Sweden. Products made from recycled materials, organic materials, or those with sustainable production processes are highly valued by Swedish consumers. Investing in production technology improvements, enhancing product quality, and obtaining international certifications will open up a wealth of opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to increase their market share.

Furthermore, Sweden has a high demand for handicrafts and traditional, unique goods. Products such as furniture made from sustainable wood, rattan, and hand-crafted home decorations are popular for their environmental friendliness and rich cultural identity. This represents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to develop niche markets in the Scandinavian nation.

Therefore, businesses need to apply international standards such as ISO 22000, HACCP, and IFS to ensure food safety and meet the requirements of Sweden and the EU. In addition, promoting Vietnamese-branded products through trade promotion programs, international exhibitions, and media campaigns will be crucial.

They also need to transition their production processes to sustainability by using organic materials and recycled packaging to align with the green consumption trends in Sweden. Collaborating directly with large retail chains and exploring opportunities with major retailers like ICA, Coop, and Axfood will help bring Vietnamese products to store shelves.

HCM City hosts diverse recreational activities for Lunar New Year

This year, with the official launch of Metro Line 1, visitors can combine metro travel with sightseeing at many popular destinations in HCM City.

As one of 15 fireworks display locations, Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 will hold a spectacular fireworks show from 11:30pm to midnight on January 28 with tickets priced at just 70,000 VND (2.8 USD).

In addition to the fireworks, Dam Sen has prepared other fascinating activities, such as a vibrant laser and water music show, as well as a music festival featuring cheerful melodies to welcome the new year.

Furthermore, during the holiday, the park offers activities that showcase the traditional Vietnamese culture through the “Tet Viet” program.

Highlights include the “Phuoc – Loc – Tho” performance, which recreates Tet customs, and the story “Huyen su Rong Tien”, which portrays the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co through circus, music, and light art.

Visitors can also enjoy thrilling rides like a roller coaster, waterfall boat ride, power surge, and high-speed spinning rides, VNA reported.

Decorations celebrating the Year of the Snake on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in HCM City (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Joining in the festive atmosphere, Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Area in Thu Duc city introduces a “Tet xuyen khong” combo with a range of activities such as exploring the dry park and watching the special “Suoi Tien – Tet xưa truong ton” show, which combines circus, folk dance, and fireworks.

Guests can also visit “Pho Ong Do” to write calligraphy, receive lucky words, and enjoy unique calligraphy demonstrations.

Additionally, visitors can experience traditional Tet activities, including bamboo dancing, wish-making at a “Neu” tree, fortune-telling, and folk games like “bau cua” (gourd-crab game) and “o an quan” (Mandarin square capturing game).

The combo is discounted by 10% when purchased with tickets to Tien Dong Beach, Suoi Tien farm, the sheep farm, or the model grape farm.

Suoi Tien also offers free admission for children under 1.4m who arrive via Metro Line 1, along with complimentary train ride tickets.

According to Bui Thi To Trinh, deputy general director of Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Joint Stock Company, the number of visitors to Suoi Tien during the Lunar New Year 2024 saw a significant increase compared to regular days, surging 10–20% compared to the same period of the previous year.

To ensure quality service, Suoi Tien has strengthened its staff to assist and guide visitors, maintained strict food safety and fire prevention standards, and collaborated with local authorities to ensure safety and security for all guests.

This season, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in District 1 also offer a variety of exciting programs and activities.

From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, visitors can play with capybaras (which the zoo had acquired earlier this month), participate in the special “Du Xuan may man” tour, and enjoy cultural and artistic performances such as lion and dragon dances, snake showcases, snake venom extraction demonstrations, and the music program “Xuan yeu thuong”.

Children can feed animals, join folk games and enjoy water playgrounds.

In addition to entertainment venues, many HCM City residents are expected to visit famous cultural and historical sites such as Independence Palace, HCM City Central Post Office, the City Hall (HCM City People's Committee Building), and museums.

This year, with the official launch of Metro Line 1, visitors can combine metro travel with sightseeing at many popular destinations in HCM City.

For instance, from Ben Thanh Station, visitors can walk 450m to HCM City Museum of Fine Arts, 350m to Ben Thanh Market, or around one kilometer to Tao Dan Park and Thong Nhat Square.

Other attractions in the city center, such as Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, HCM City Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, and Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, are also located near station exits.

Vietnam’s banh mi continues to gain global culinary recognition

Vietnamese banh mi has been ranked 2nd on Taste Atlas’s list of the "Top 100 Sandwiches in the World," earning praise for its unique blend of Vietnamese flavors and French influence.

Vietnamese cuisine has once again been spotlighted on the global stage, as the iconic banh mi secures second place in Taste Atlas’s list of the "Top 100 Sandwiches in the World." Scoring an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, this culinary staple was praised for its unique fusion of French and Vietnamese flavors.

A legacy of innovation

Taste Atlas lauded banh mi as a "heritage" of Vietnamese cuisine, emphasizing its versatility across different regions of Vietnam. While the fillings vary - from savory grilled meats to vegetarian options - the sandwich’s signature lies in the crispy, golden baguette, a legacy of French colonial influence in the 20th century.

Photo: Thach Thao

What sets Vietnamese banh mi apart is the creativity of its makers, who transformed the traditional baguette into a globally beloved street food.

The most popular version typically features pork liver pâté, Vietnamese cold cuts (cha lua), pickled carrots, fresh cilantro, and a touch of special sauce. For those seeking variety, options like grilled pork (thit nuong) are widely available.

Taste Atlas noted that the harmonious combination of the crunchy baguette and fresh, flavorful fillings delivers an unforgettable culinary experience.

Multiple Vietnamese entries in the top 10

Vietnam’s culinary creativity shines further, with two additional banh mi variants making the top 10 of the list:

Banh mi thit (Vietnamese pork sandwich) ranked 4th with a score of 4.5/5 stars.

Banh mi lon quay (roast pork sandwich) placed 5th, also earning 4.5/5 stars.

According to Taste Atlas, banh mi thit is the version most familiar to tourists, often sold at street stalls and enjoyed at any time of the day. Similarly, banh mi lon quay was highlighted for its irresistible combination of crispy roast pork and fresh accompaniments.

The platform advises against overloading banh mi with too many fillings, as this can detract from the authentic taste.

This is not the first time banh mi has been celebrated by Taste Atlas. In February 2023, it ranked 6th among the "50 Best Street Foods in the World," further solidifying its reputation as a culinary treasure.

Taste Atlas, established in 2015 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, is renowned for cataloging traditional dishes from around the globe. Founder Matija Babić emphasized that their rankings are based on expert opinions and food critics’ reviews, ensuring the credibility of their awards.

Snow blankets Fansipan Mt. peak due to strong cold influence

The peak of Fansipan dubbed the Everest of Indochina, plunged into freezing temperatures on January 27 afternoon, with snow blanketing every corner.

Around the arrival station near the Fansipan summit that spans Sa Pa town in Lao Cai province and Tam Duong district in Lai Chau province, a thin layer of snow unexpectedly covered the plants, paths, and surroundings, offering a unique and stunning view. Frost began to form at around 2:20 PM as the temperature dropped to approximately -2°C.

According to meteorologists, nighttime temperatures on Fansipan's peak plummeted even further, sometimes reaching below -12°C. Snowfall is expected to persist for several days, lasting until January 29 the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Meanwhile, snowfall and frost also reported in Y Ty Mt of Bat Xat district Lao Cai province. However, locals noted that the snow in Y Ty was sparse and melted immediately upon touching the ground due to light rain, cited VOV.

Snow blankets Fansipan Mt. peak on January 26, two days ahead of the Lunar New Year 2025.

This rare weather phenomenon presents a unique opportunity for visitors to experience snowy conditions in Vietnam. Travelers that desire to hunt for snow are advised to take precautions against slippery conditions on snowy surfaces, wear multiple layers of clothing, use anti-slip footwear, and avoid direct contact between belongings and snow or frost to prevent damage.

In the coming days, the northern region of Vietnam is expected to remain under the influence of a strong cold spell, increasing the likelihood that visitors will experience an unforgettable Lunar New Year in the Northwestern region of Vietnam surrounded by snow at the “Roof of Indochina” and in other high-altitude areas of Lao Cai province.

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