Positive signs in the world steel market are expected to infuse a new spirit into the steel industry in Vietnam.

Vietnamese businesses, especially those operating in the agricultural sector, have made all necessary preparations and are ready for the reopening of the Chinese market from January 8.

The Chinese side has announced that it will completely resume the operation of border gates and paths with Vietnam in northern Lao Cai province from January 8, said Ha Duc Thuan, Vice Director of the Management Board of Lao Cai Economic Zone.

It is expected that full-tax durian exports will bring billions of dollars for Vietnam in 2023.

Vietnamese tourists are reluctant to travel to China after this country announced that it will open its border.

Experts believe that Covid-19 is well controlled in Vietnam and will not break out again if China reopens its border. However, Vietnam still needs to prevent an outbreak as the world Covid-19 situation is still unresolved.

China has officially announced the easing of COVID-19 prevention measures which have been imposed for three years.

China has been gradually loosening anti-Covid measures since early December and planning to fully open the economy in Q2, which may have positive influences on Vietnam's economy.

China spends up to $13.5 billion to import fruits a year, but the market is now considered as fastidious as the US and Europe. If just one sweet potato is found stuck with soil, the whole consignment can be rejected.

Vietnam Airlines' flight VN 502 departed from Ho Chi Minh City to Guangzhou at 9:55 am on December 9, marking the carrier's first regular commercial flight between Vietnam and China after a nearly three-year disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

China has proposed signing protocol for seven types of local fruit exported to the northern neighbour via official channels for stricter management, as is currently applied to durian and star apples.

Chinese demand for fruit for the lunar new year holiday accounts for up to 50 percent of Vietnam’s total fruit exports. Experts warn that the products may get stuck at border gates.

Vietnam-China relations in the past were based mostly on trade and construction bids. What will be important for the new period?

China is expected to stay the largest export market for Vietnamese pangasius this whole year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Up to 90,000 tonnes of fresh Vietnamese durian will be put for sale at Chinese retail supermarkets by import partners in the near future, according to a contract signed on November 14 between Vina T&T Group and Sunwah Group of Hong Kong’s (China).

China is greatly interested in strengthening strategic development ties with Vietnam, improve connectivity between the two countries and build a sustainable supply chain.

Data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade shows the US and China are the two largest trading partners of Vietnam.

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and China amounted to US$148 billion between January and October, according to the Vietnam General Statistics Office.

Vietnamese competent agencies are in the process of accelerating negotiations with China as they seek a way to open the market to many of strong Vietnamese products.

China replaced the US to become Vietnam’s largest importer of fishery products in September this year with trade valued at USD 146.30 million.