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At the MoU signing (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Cuban farmers’ associations bolster cooperation

President of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VFU) Luong Quoc Doan led a delegation from the association to pay a working visit to Cuba from June 8 to 14 at the invitation of the Cuban National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP).

While in Cuba, Doan met with Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Cuban Central Committee, held talks with Félix Duarte Ortega, ANAP president, and had a discussion with Ramón Osmani Aguilar Betancourt, President of the Permanent Commission of Agrifood Work of the National Assembly of People’s Power.

On the occasion, the VFU and ANAP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation for the 2025-2030 period.

At the working sessions, Doan affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always treasure the special traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, which was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, cited VOV.

As a socio-political organization of Vietnamese farmers, the VFU wants to contribute to deepening the two countries' relations through cooperation with the ANAP, he stressed, adding the VFU’s visit as also a chance for the two associations to share experience and seek collaboration opportunities to develop the nations.

The Cuban officials thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their support for Cuba’s revolutionary cause, and stressed that Cuba attaches importance to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

They congratulated Vietnam on the achievements it has carved out during the renewal and national development process, saying renewal policies have brought about strong development for Vietnamese agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

They said they hope that the two associations will work closely in the areas of food production, human resources training, management capacity improvement, and promotion of Vietnamese investments in Cuba.

Vietnamese Ambassador Le Quang Long expressed his delight over the MoU signing which will open up numerous cooperation opportunities between the two associations, and wished that they will build specific cooperation plans, contributing to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive collaboration between the two nations.

Quang Ninh strives to become northern region’s marine aquaculture hub

The northeastern province of Quang Ninh aims to become a fisheries hub in the northern region by 2030.

The province has advantages to develop marine aquaculture, including a 250 km long coastline, over 40,000 ha of tidal flats, nearly 19,000 ha of mangrove forests, 20,000 ha of strait and bay surface, fishing grounds covering over 6,100 sq. km, and three marine protected areas.

Quang Ninh is also home to many valuable aquatic species.It has designated 45,000 ha of coastal waters for aquaculture development, and is the first locality in Vietnam to pilot a model that assigns specific marine areas to organizations and individuals for aquaculture development.

Quang Ninh also structured types of farmed seafood suitable for each area's advantages, while improving productivity and quality.

At the same time, the province has developed concentrated marine farming areas, and applied modern scientific and technological achievements to production.

It focuses on developing seafood enterprises, linking production with deep processing and consumption.Cao Tuong Huy, the Chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee, said that the province has approved farming area planning in all coastal localities.

This is an important legal basis together with support mechanisms to attract investment, especially from foreign investors with advanced science and technology, according to VNA.

A shrimp farm in the coastal province of Quang Ninh. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at a conference on sustainable development of marine farming held in Quang Ninh in April, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan praised the efforts and determination of Quang Ninh province in developing mariculture.

Quang Ninh has replaced foam buoys with environmentally friendly plastic ones in aquaculture, which made a significant change in the quality of the natural environment, promoting sustainable marine farming, and building a seafood brand for the province.

In addition to enhancing the value of marine farming, the province has been taking measures to ensure livelihoods for fishermen and develop marine farming towards green, multi-value production standards.

Quang Ninh is completing the Van Ninh import-export seaport system in Mong Cai city serving the export of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to the Chinese market.

It has called for investments in the aviation logistics chain to facilitate exports of fresh and frozen seafood to Northeast Asia and Thailand.

The Prime Minister has approved a project on marine aquaculture development till 2030 with a vision to 2045, under which Vietnam targets having 280,000ha for marine aquaculture, achieving an output of 850,000 tonnes and export revenue of 800 million – US$1 billion by 2025.

By 2045, sea farming will become an important part of the fisheries sector, accounting for over 25% of the total output and earning more than US$4 billion in export turnover.

Six provinces and cities achieve five-month export turnover of over US$10 bil

Six Vietnamese provinces and cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Binh Duong, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, and Bac Giang earned export turnover of more than US$10 billion over the past five months, according to the latest statistics released by the General Department of Customs.

The top 4 localities included Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Binh Duong and Thai Nguyen with export earnings of US$17.53 billion, US$14.37 billion US$13.41 billion, and US$13.15 billion, respectively.

Hai Phong was placed fifth with an export turnover of US$12.15 billion, up by 29.25% on-year or US$2.75 billion, while Bac Giang exports ranked last on the list with US$10.58 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.14%, equivalent to US$1.7 billion, reported VOV.

Photo: VOV

Notably, the northern province of Bac Ninh has gained recovery momentum after experiencing negative growth through the end of April compared to the same period from last year.

Specifically, May saw the locality make a significant breakthrough with the nation's leading export turnover of US$3.15 billion.

The country's merchandise exports grossed US$32.27 billion in May alone, bringing the five-month export turnover to US$156.28 billion, up 14.9% over the same period from last year.

Vietnamese products, food introduced at ASEAN fair in Sweden

Hundreds of Vietnamese products such as farm produce, food, handicrafts, garment and textiles along with dozens of traditional dishes were introduced at the ASEAN Trade and Cuisine Fair 2024 – the first of its kind held in Stockholm, Sweden, on June 15.

The fair was organized by the ASEAN Committee in Stockholm (ACS), in collaboration with the embassies of six ASEAN countries in Sweden, namely Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, VNA reported.

Vietnamese food attract many visitors at the fair. (Photo: VNA)

President of the Stockholm City Council Olle Burell, representatives from foreign diplomatic delegations in Sweden, the ASEAN community and local residents visited the fair.

The fair received great attention from the public as it took place on the occasion of local residents preparing to celebrate the midsummer festival - one of Sweden's most popular holidays.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden promoted the country’s images in science, technology, renewable energy, logistics, high-tech agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, and services.

Vietnam’s participation at the fair helps bring the image of the country and people of Vietnam closer to the Swedish people and international friends, contributing to promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and Sweden and celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year.

Peak season flights struggle with low bookings amid price hikes

Despite the peak summer travel season, many flights remain half-empty due to skyrocketing airfares and tightened spending.

Recent statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (Ministry of Transport) show that ticket bookings for domestic flights during the peak summer period (June 15 to July 15) are still low. Higher booking rates are only seen on select routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to popular tourist destinations.

As of June 14, the average booking rate for flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other localities reached about 50% for the upcoming weekend (June 15-17). For dates further out, the booking rates are still very low, ranging from 20-40%.

Some tourist routes have higher rates on weekends, such as Hanoi to Quy Nhon (80.7% on June 15; 72.5% on June 16), Hanoi to Phu Quoc (74.9% on June 15), and Ho Chi Minh City to Dien Bien (78.3% on June 15), cited VNN.

Many flights during the summer peak season remain half-empty. Photo: Hoang Ha

On return flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the booking rates are similar, with averages over 60% for nearby dates and 20-40% for dates further out.

A survey by VietNamNet reveals that flights from Hanoi to Quy Nhon, departing on the afternoon or evening of June 15 or on June 16, still have tickets available from Bamboo Airways and Vietjet Air, priced over 2.7 million VND per trip. Routes from Hanoi to Nha Trang and Da Nang also have many available tickets, priced between 1.2-2.5 million VND per trip.

From Ho Chi Minh City, flights to Nha Trang on June 16 are relatively available, with ticket prices starting at 1.67 million VND per trip. Flights to Da Nang on June 15-16 also have a large number of tickets, with prices starting at 1.3 million VND per trip.

Challenges of flying at 'bad times'

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam notes that airlines are offering various ticket classes, with prices significantly lower than the ceiling price of basic economy class on domestic flights. However, average airfares remain high and are about 20% more expensive than the same period last year.

Many passengers opt for flights departing at night or early in the morning to save money, but the fatigue caused by these "bad times" often outweighs the savings. For instance, Le T.Q's family from Ha Dong district, Hanoi, took a night flight from Nha Trang to Hanoi, saving 5-6 million VND but facing delays and fatigue.

"We had to check out at 12 noon. The whole family waited in the hotel lobby before heading to the beach to pass the time until dinner. At 10 pm, we went to the airport and waited for another three hours. Even adults were exhausted, let alone the two children. Next time, I won't dare fly at this time," he lamented.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam advises passengers to book tickets early to secure better prices and availability. Early bookings also help airlines optimize resources, reduce flight cancellations, and manage aircraft operations more effectively.

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