Photo: VOV

More leading retailers seek Vietnamese suppliers at International Sourcing 2024

More leading distributors and retailers around the world have registered to take part in the upcoming Vietnam International Sourcing 2024 which will run in Ho Chi Minh City from June 6 to 8 to look for Vietnamese suppliers, according to the European - American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The department revealed that MINISO, China's leading retail chain brand, has confirmed that it will join Vietnam International Sourcing 2024 for the first time, expecting to connect with local manufacturers and suppliers in several fields, including household appliances, cosmetics, food, toys, furniture, and handicraft making.

A brand representative of MINISO said that it will send a high-level delegation to Vietnam to seek partners and sign contracts with Vietnamese businesses as a means of purchasing large quantities of consumer products, cited VOV.

Furthermore, a delegation of northern European businesses have also confirm their participation in the function, to seek Vietnamese businesses in the field of food products, including rice, chewy dry noodles for stir-frying, canned pineapple, as well as suppliers specialising in the production of acacia wood, oak wood, and other types of wood.

Moreover, AEON, Japan’s leading distributor, will send purchasing delegations from five countries to the event,hoping to meet potential suppliers in the fields of food products, seafood, fruit and vegetables, and beverages for their supermarket chain.

According to the European-American Market Department, Vietnam International Sourcing 2024 has doubled its scale compared to the 2023 edition, with 500 local and foreign firms showcasing their products on an area of 10,000 square metres.

On display at the event will be a range of products such as food, garments and textiles, shoes, backpacks, bags, sporting and outdoor goods, household appliances, and furniture.

A number of seminars and trade exchanges will be held throughout the event, featuring the participation of the world’s leading corporations such as Aeon ad Uniqlo from Japan; Walmart, Amazon, and Safeway from the United States; Chile’s Falabella; Carrefour and Decathlon of France; Thailand’s Central Group; Mexico’s Coppel; Sweden’s IKEA; and LuLu of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Vietnam to host 33rd meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Customs in June

The 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN Customs Directors-General will take place from June 4-6 on the island city of Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang.

Speaking at a press conference introducing the event on May 21, Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, Deputy Director of the Department for International Cooperation under the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), said this is the 4th time Vietnam has hosted the meeting after the first, second, and third in 1995, 2004 and 2014.

The event is expected to draw the participation of about 100 international delegates from 10 customs delegations of ASEAN countries led by Directors General, Timor Leste Customs as an observer and the ASEAN Secretariat, along with leaders of customs agencies of partner countries, international organizations and the private sector, she added.

The meeting will discuss various issues, including programmes and solutions to complete the goals identified in the ASEAN Customs Development Strategy Plan for 2021-2025. It will prioritize contents such as exchanging electronic documents through the ASEAN Single Window and implementing the ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS), according to VNA.

Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (left), Deputy Director of the Department for International Cooperation under the General Department of Vietnam Customs, speaks at the press conference in Hanoi on May 21. (Photo: VNA)

It will serve as a venue for ASEAN customs agencies to enhance dialogue and consultation with ASEAN dialogue partners to fulfill goals in line with the economic development such as green customs, building a customs data ecosystem, electronic data exchange and customs management for e-commerce and streamlining customs procedures for low-value shipments, Nga noted.

As the Chairmanship of ASEAN Customs for the 2024-2025 term, GDVC will make every effort to fulfill its responsibility in actively coordinating with other countries to implement a targeted roadmap on schedule. It will feature priority contents on the one single window, along with transit and mutual recognition of priority businesses. Countries will be encouraged to enhance exchanges, update information, share experiences and lessons in narrowing the gap between member customs agencies.

Nga said GDVC hopes that with contributions within its scope and capabilities, it will work with other countries towards a common goal in the integration process of ASEAN Customs, contributing to building a prosperous and sustainable ASEAN Economic Community and realizing ASEAN's motto "One ASEAN - One identity - One vision".

Vietnamese tourism introduced at US’ Times Square

BestPrice Travel, one of the leading travel agents in Vietnam, has recently promoted its “Taste Vietnam” campaign in New York’s Times Square, presenting images of Vietnam to the whole world, according to TravelDailyNews, a news outlet covering Asia and the Pacific.

The newswire outlined that though it is not the first time that the country has appeared on a billboard in Times Square, the latest images can be viewed differently. In just 15 seconds, all Vietnamese landscapes, cultures, and food delicacies through the one message of “Taste with BestPrice Travel” appeared on the giant LED screen.

Among popular Vietnamese destinations are Ha Long Bay, terraced fields from the northwestern region, Hoi An Ancient Town, Da Nang and Hanoi.

Photo: VOV

The website also pointed out that beyond a promotion campaign, “Taste Vietnam” is a chance for BestPrice Travel to provide its customers with genuine Vietnamese values, thereby bridging the distance gap and forging a bond between foreign tourists and the country.

Through “Taste Vietnam” tour packages, visitors are entitled to multisensory experiences, from admiring the magnificent landscapes to tasting the excellent cuisine and joining traditional off-the-beaten-track activities, VOV reported.

Most notably, it is not only experiential, but also sentimental values that “Taste Vietnam” can bring to its customers. With every booking successfully purchased, US$1 will be used for charitable purposes.

This is a self-run activity of BP Group, which is the holding company of BestPrice Travel, intending to support underprivileged individuals in Vietnam.

Vietnamese destinations and food delicacies were introduced at Times Square in 2021 and 2023. In addition, some renowned Vietnamese artists such as singers Bich Phuong, Suboi, and My Tam also appeared on large billboards in the area.

Southeast Asia’s six-nation visa to lure more tourists to Vietnam: insiders

A Thailand-initiated single visa program of six ASEAN countries is expected to help Vietnam attract more long-haul and high-spending travelers, according to insiders.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has discussed the Schengen-type visa with his counterparts in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent months, aiming at ensuring seamless mobility for travelers in the countries.

Hailing Thailand’s initiative, Chairman of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club Truong Quoc Hung held that the single visa will facilitate rich tourists’ travel, thus increasing tourism revenue, while creating favorable conditions for travel firms to form inter-regional road trips.

Meanwhile, VietSense Travel CEO Nguyen Van Tai highlighted the success story of the Schengen Area, where the application of a single-visa has been benefiting its member states.

“A single visa policy will help Vietnam promote tourism linkages with its neighbors and particularly address the issue of losing out international visitors on the current visa barrier”. Therefore, travel firms have high expectations for the establishment of a joint-visa region”.

In the same vein, AZA Travel CEO Nguyen Tien Dat believed that with the single visa policy, the six countries will be able to improve their competitive edge over other ASEAN destinations and tourism powers in Asia like the Republic of Korea, Japan and China.

Vietnam has extended visa exemption for tourists from some 30 countries and territories as compared to over 80 of Thailand, he said, adding joining the initiative will be a quantum leap for Vietnam’s tourism visa policy.

If Vietnam does not jump on the bandwagon, it will lose tourism opportunities and advantages over the five countries, Dat stressed.

From an expert perspective, Dr. Nuno F.Riberiro from RMIT University described this visa arrangement as a great opportunity for Vietnam to attract international visitors who may otherwise visit only Thailand and Malaysia, cited VNA.

The single-visa scheme is expected to lure more foreign visitors to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Seeing Vietnam’s new visa policy as a motive for the growth of foreign tourists, he suggested the country continue to extend its visa exemption to attract more visitors, especially considering visa exemption for those from developed countries like Australia, Canada, the US, and the remaining members of the European Union with long stay and high spending.

Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Ha Van Sieu said that political stability, defense-security and foreign affairs of the six countries should be looked carefully before the single-visa program is rolled out.

Vietnamese baguette listed among world’s 24 best sandwiches

Website CNN Travel of the United States recently published an article hailing the world’s 24 best sandwiches, with Vietnamese Banh Mi (baguette) featured on the list.

According to CNN, Banh Mi, a culinary remnant of French colonialism, has been reinterpreted to suit the tastes of the Vietnamese.

The dish is now sold from food carts on nearly every street corner in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in Vietnam, which is widely loved well beyond the country’s own borders, CNN wrote.

The website also shared that the classic version is pork-based, including cha lua (Vietnamese-style pork roll), shredded pickled carrots, pickled daikon, cilantro leaves, mayonnaise, and other ingredients.

Food lovers can find variations with tofu and thinly sliced lemongrass chicken, too. The taste is crunchy, fresh, savory, and utterly delicious, CNN Travel added.

Photo: VOV

Topping the world’s 24 best sandwiches was Torta Ahogada, the most popular street food in Mexico. Other foods to make the list include Tramezzino of Italy, Shawarma of Middle East, and Pambazo of Mexico.

Earlier, international food website TasteAtlas praised the top 100 sandwiches in the world, with Banh Mi taking top position.

A popular Vietnamese variety of sandwiches was brought over to Vietnam during the colonial period, whilst nowadays it is one of the few happy legacies from the time, the website recommended.

The Vietnamese baguette is followed by Tombik Döner of Turkey, Panino col Polpo of Italy, Ahawarmas of Lebanon, and the Sandwich de Lomo of Argentina.

Vietnam News Today (May 19): Brazil Sanguine on Huge Potential For Cooperation With Vietnam Vietnam News Today (May 19): Brazil sanguine on huge potential for cooperation with Vietnam; Vietnam, France look to boost economic partnership; President Ho Chi Minh’s ...

Vietnam News Today (May 20): Vietnam, Cuba Promote Cooperation In Justice Vietnam News Today (May 20): Vietnam, Cuba promote cooperation in justice; President Ho Chi Minh lives eternally in young people’s hearts; Support comes to Vietnamese ...

Vietnam News Today (May 21): Vietnam, Indonesia Step Up Security Cooperation Vietnam News Today (May 21): Vietnam, Indonesia step up security cooperation; Time Out lists Hoi An among best places to travel in July; People-to-people diplomacy ...