Vietnam News Today (May 17): Vietnam Currently Tops SEA Games 31 Medal Tally

Photo: VOV

Canada becomes second largest consumer of Vietnamese tra fish within CPTPP

Canada has risen to become the second largest importer of Vietnamese tra fish (pangasius) within the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

As of mid-April, the total export value of pangasius to the demanding market had surged by 69.4% to reach US$17.2 million against the same period from last year.

The VASEP said Canada represented a seafood market with stable growth in North America, adding that through the recent positive results, frozen pangasius exports to the market during the first half of this year are anticipated to achieve even stronger growth moving forward.

At present, Canada makes up a regular export market for more than 30 Vietnamese pangasius enterprises, of which three local enterprises, namely Vinh Hoan Joint Stock Company, NTFS Seafood Joint Stock Company, and Truong Giang Seafood Joint Stock Company, have posted the largest export value to the market in the first quarter of the year.

Over the past two years, Vietnamese pangasius exports to the North American country have slowed down due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, tra fish exports to the fastidious market during the first quarter of the year rebounded strongly with the average export price of frozen pangasius fillets ranging between US$3.15 and US$3.35 per kilo.

Compared to other markets in the CPTPP, Canada typically imports a diverse range of aquatic products, including frozen pangasius fillets, frozen pangasius slices, dried pangasius bubbles, pangasius with lemon parsley sauce, and pangasius with ginger sauce, cited VOV.

Vietnamese pangasius have also had to compete with other white-meat fish products in the Canadian market, especially cod, haddock, and tilapia. However, recent years has seen Vietnamese pangasius products gradually making up a greater market share of white-meat fish products within the demanding market.

The VASEP predicts that pangasius exports to the US market will remain optimistic this year, noting that local businesses should take full advantage of the opportunity to bolster tra fish exports to Canada, an aquatic market that boasts high export value in the North American region.

Vietnam currently tops SEA Games 31 medal tally

Vietnam is standing atop the SEA Games 31 medal tally with 68 golds, leaving second-placed Thailand far behind.

Vietnam bagged a total of 29 gold medals on the third day (May 15) since the region’s biggest sports event officially started.

The Wushu team impressed spectators the most, claiming seven gold medals, including six in the Sanda events. The gold medalists include Hoang Thi Phuong Giang in Changquan, and Ngo Thi Phuong Nga, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Nguyen Thi Trang, Bui Truong Giang, Truong Van Chuong, and Nguyen Van Tai in Sanda.

Vietnamese wushu artist Bui Truong Giang (in blue) defeats Jumanta from Indonesia to triumph the men's sanda 60kg on May 15. Photo: VNA

Athletics and dance sports also yielded a successful day for Vietnam, each with five golds. Championing runners were Nguyen Thi Huyen, Nguyen Thi Oanh, Nguyen Van Lai, Pham Thi Diem and Nguyen Tien Trong. Dancers Nguyen Doanh Minh Truong and Dang Thu Huong completed a gold hat-trick for the day while the pair Nguyen Trung Kien and Pham Hong Anh grabbed the remaining two, according to VNA.

Bodybuilding and Jujitsu brought home two golds each. Vietnam also gained eight gold medals in duathalon, Chinese chess, chess, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, and eSports.

The host has so far earned 68 golds, 46 silvers and 43 bronzes. Thailand came second with 27 golds, 24 silvers and 42 bronzes, followed by the Philippines in the third place with 20 golds, 27 silvers and 39 bronzes.

Vietnam International Premium Products Fair attracts over 250 exhibitors

The Vietnam International Premium Products Fair will be held again in Ho Chi Minh City after being delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

VIPREMIUM 2022 returns from June 2 to 5 aimed at connecting domestic and foreign businesses in the beauty - fashion, premium food and beverages, gift and houseware, smart devices, healthy and eco-friendly items, stationery, and office items industries, according to the organisers.

Visitors at the last edition of the Vietnam International Premium Products Fair. This year the fair will be held from June 2 to 5 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre. Photo: Coex Vietnam

To be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, the fair will have 350 booths set up by 250 companies, and is expected to welcome 10,000 buyers and visitors, reported VOV.

Among its highlights will be the Korea Sourcing Fair with brands from across Korea and premium consumer products.

Seminars will be hosted on the sidelines by experts on various industries to provide updates on consumer trends in Vietnam and around the world and bringing goods into supply chains.

The fair will also include direct and online business-matching programmes to connect exhibitors with potential buyers, a ‘buyer zone’ where participants can directly exchange information with the purchasing department of big supermarkets, convenience store chains and online retailers.

Conferences help beef up Vietnam – India trade, investment, tourism ties

The Vietnamese Embassy in India, in coordination with chambers of commerce and industry in West Bengal, has organised conferences to further promote trade, investment and tourism of India into Vietnam.

The conference at the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) in Kolkata – the capital of the West Bengal state - attracted representatives from 50 Indian businesses and many Vietnamese companies, while the event at the Chamber of Commerce in Calcutta saw the participation of 40 enterprises.

Addressing the events, Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau highlighted the close relationship in history, politics, culture and people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and India in general and between Vietnam and West Bengal in particular, noting that the bilateral relations are increasingly strengthened in the five pillars of politics, defence-security, economy, science and technology, and education - culture.

Two-way trade expanded to over US$13 billion in 2021 from US$200 million in 2000, turning India into the 8th biggest trade partner of Vietnam, approaching the 15-billion-USD target set by leaders of the two countries.

Regarding investment, as of March 20, India had 317 valid projects worth over US$1 billion in Vietnam, ranking 24th out of the 129 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation.

The investment ties between the two countries are likely to make new breakthroughs in the coming years, focusing on the sectors of seaports, energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, and IT.

There is a great potential for the two countries to promote tourism services as both have attractive scenic spots and historical and cultural sites for tourists, Ambassador Chau noted.

With the resumption of direct flights from Kolkata to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the increase in frequency of direct flights between the two countries, their tourism is expected to recover and grow strongly in the coming time, the Vietnamese diplomat said.

At Thai Nguyen Textile Garment Co., Ltd - Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

West Bengal and Vietnamese localities can promote cooperation in agriculture, tourism, chemicals, IT, real estate, solar energy, education, pharmaceuticals and health care, Ambassador Chau said.

Representatives from Indian firms said they are considering the possibility of cooperation with Vietnamese partners in some specific fields, and expanding the market for key products of West Bengal such as tea, pharmaceuticals, products made from jute fiber, cited VNA.

They suggested the embassy support and facilitate the organisation of an Indian business delegation to visit and explore cooperation opportunities in business, investment and tourism in Vietnam, and a business-to-business matching event in the coming time.

The West Bengal state is rich in natural resources with a thriving tea industry. It is also the leading rice and potato producer in India. The main industries of the state are information technology, leather, textiles, agriculture, metals, minerals and tourism. It boasts the over-100-year old Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE) – the second largest in India.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce in Calcutta, founded in 1830, is the oldest trade and industry association in India, grouping businesses, tea, plastics, and information technology.

Two female scientists receive Kovalevskaia Award 2021

A ceremony was held on May 16 to honour two female Vietnamese scientists with the Kovalevskaia Award 2021 for their excellent contributions to scientific research.

The winners of the award are Professor Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai from the University of Science under the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City and Professor Nguyen Minh Thuy from Can Tho University.

The Kovalevskaia Award is a prestigious national award to honour female scientists whose research and application of science has contributed to the accomplishments in the renovation period.

The Kovalevskaia Award ceremony. Photo: NDO

Speaking at the awards ceremony, President of the Vietnamese Women’s Union Ha Thi Nga highlighted the important role of intellectuals, especially women, while sharing her expectation that they make greater contributions to the country’s scientific development.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Science and Technology presented certificates of merit to four female scientists for their excellence in scientific research, NDO reported.

In addition to the annual Kovalevskaia Award, the organisers also awarded Kovalevskaia Scholarships to three female maths students of the High School for Gifted Students at the University of Science under the Vietnam National University in Hanoi.

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