Vietnam exported nearly 131,777 tonnes of pepper worth 408.9 million USD in the first five months of this year, up 30% in volume but down 12.7 in value over the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA).

Of the figures, black pepper was 119,832 tonnes and white pepper, the rest.

Pepper exports to Asian market remained a bright sport, reaching 78,907 tonnes, skyrocketing 77.2% and accounting for nearly 60% of the country's total export turnover of this kind of spice. China was the key market as the neighbour imported 46,169 tonnes of pepper, taking up 35% and soared 1,668.9% year-on-year, while the exports to the Philippines was 3,305 tonnes, a hike of 26.1%.

Notably, exports to African market experienced a surge of 38.9%, of which those to Egypt and Senegal shot up 140% and 104.4% year on year, respectively.

The American market recorded a fall of 13.1% in the reviewed period, accounting for 18% of the market share, of which exports to the US decreased 15.5%, picking up for 21,093 tonnes.

Occupying 16.8% of Vietnam’s total pepper export turnover, the EU market fell 9.4% year-on-year in the first five months of this year.

Vietnam’s e-commerce exports may hit VND296 trillion by 2027

The rapid growth of global e-commerce presents a valuable opportunity for Vietnam to tap into foreign markets, with the nation’s e-commerce exports projected to reach VND296.3 trillion by 2027.

Research conducted by Access Partnership highlights that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Vietnam are well-positioned to benefit significantly from the expansion of the e-commerce sector.

Currently, Vietnam’s business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce exports are valued at VND80.7 trillion. However, if MSMEs actively utilize e-commerce for exporting their products and services, this figure could surge to VND296.3 trillion by 2027. Moreover, MSMEs have the potential to increase their revenue proportion from 24% in 2022 to an impressive 67% in 2027.

A survey of 300 Vietnamese MSMEs revealed that 86% of them consider e-commerce essential for their export business. MSMEs appreciate the vast global reach and scale offered by international e-commerce platforms, which enables them to access a large customer base across different countries.

Despite the reopening of brick-and-mortar stores following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, MSMEs still view online shopping as a significant opportunity for their exports. With no barriers hindering the use of e-commerce for exports, 95% of the respondents anticipate at least 10% annual growth in B2C e-commerce exports over the next five years.

Southeast Asia and China are expected to remain the primary export destinations for most Vietnamese MSMEs in the future. However, MSMEs are increasingly prioritizing shipments to Japan, the U.S., and Europe over the next five years.

A survey of e-commerce consumers in key Western countries indicates that Vietnam’s MSMEs are well-equipped to meet the growing demand for goods via e-commerce, with both the frequency of purchases and average spending increasing since 2020.

Nevertheless, MSMEs face challenges such as high customs duties and cross-border logistics costs. To fully leverage the benefits of e-commerce, Vietnamese MSMEs require greater regulatory support and financial assistance.

Access Partnership suggests implementing measures such as establishing cross-border e-commerce trade zones and providing financial grants for exports and e-commerce. These initiatives can assist MSMEs in their efforts to globalize.

During a conference on international e-commerce held on June 7, the Department of E-Commerce and Digital Economy at the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that it is implementing various measures to boost digital transformation. These measures include finalizing policies on online exports, addressing barriers faced by exporters, and launching educational programs to facilitate globalization.

Last year, about 1,300 businesses accessed these programs, with Amazon Global Selling, the department, and localities organizing nine training courses related to business and export on e-commerce platforms.

According to Amazon Global Selling Vietnam, Vietnamese firms sold 10 million products through the online retailer Amazon in 2022, marking an 80% year-on-year increase.

HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway to be expanded to 10 lanes

The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has approved a plan to expand the HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway from six lanes to 10 lanes, with an investment of nearly VND10 trillion, according to the local media.

This 40-kilometer-long expressway currently has four traffic and two emergency lanes.

After more than 12 years of operation, especially since the suspension of toll collection in 2019, the expressway has saw a significant increase in traffic volume, resulting in frequent congestion and accidents.

In response to the growing travel demand, the project management board conducted a feasibility study for expanding the expressway.

The HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway would be expanded to 10 lanes, including eight traffic and two emergency lanes, with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

The expansion project is estimated to cost VND9,765 billion and will be funded by the Stage budget in the 2021-2025 period and the Ministry of Transport in the 2026-2030 period.

Work on the project is expected to start in 2025 and be completed by 2027.

Tien Giang Province has also proposed developing several roads leading to the expressway in Tan Phuoc and Chau Thanh districts, and establishing more rest stops along the expressway.

Furthermore, the local authorities have recommended that the Ministry of Transport consider expanding the Trung Luong-My Thuan Expressway in synchronization with the HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway.

The HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway passes through HCMC and the provinces of Long An and Tien Giang. It serves as a crucial gateway in the western part of HCMC, connecting the city with the Mekong Delta region.

The expressway will also connect to the under-construction Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway, forming a major road network from the Mekong Delta provinces to the southeastern provinces.

Housing prices in HCMC 32.5 times higher than average household income

For individuals with middle and lower incomes, owning a home in a major city like HCMC is an unattainable dream, as housing prices are 32.5 times higher than the average income of a Vietnamese household.

According to a report released by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), home prices in HCMC now range from VND5.5 billion to VND7 billion each.

HCMC and Danang City are among the least affordable cities in the Asia-Pacific region, with respective home attainability indexes of 32.5 and 26.7. This means that housing prices in these cities are 32.5 and 26.7 times higher than the average income of Vietnamese households.

Hanoi is also included in the list of cities with high housing prices in the region, with a reading of 18.3. On average, a home in Hanoi and Danang currently sells for VND4.3 billion to VND5 billion, respectively.

ULI attributes the high prices to speculative homebuyers and long-term investors who own multiple units and view properties as assets for storing value.

Meanwhile, the HCMC Real Estate Association said that the rising costs of land, construction materials, labor, legal fees, and interest rates, along with speculation and price gouging, have driven up real estate prices in HCMC. This has made it difficult for those in need to own a home, despite the recent 10-30% discount in the secondary market and a significant decline of 30-50% in prices in the primary market.

Vietnam using open data to boost innovation

The Information and Communications Ministry, Thua Thien – Hue Province People’s Committee, and World Bank yesterday co-held the international conference ‘Open Data and AI – Driving Force for Economic Growth’.

In the conference, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung stated that many governments in the world have recognized public data as an invaluable resource that should be effectively exploited.

He stressed that sharing and opening data among exploiters help to promote innovation, and in turn socio-economic development. The open data also show increasing collaboration between the government and businesses, citizens.

After this speech, conference participants exchanged experience about the influences of open data on economic growth; global trends and experience in introducing open data and then evaluating their uses; policies, opportunities, and challenges as to open data for local authorities in Vietnam; maximization of open data values to encourage research and investments for AI development in Vietnam.

Power outages cause big losses for shipping businesses

Frequent power outages caused big losses for shipping businesses which must pay port charges. Currently, port fee can range from US$30,000 to $50,000 a day.

The Vietnam Logistics Business Association, the Vietnam Ship Agents, Brokers And Maritime Services Providers Association, and the Vietnam Shipowners Association have just proposed to Vietnam Electricity to supply electricity to ports in the Northern City of Hai Phong to help shipping companies reduce port charges because their ships have to wait at ports due to power outages.

According to the associations, most of the loading and unloading equipment at the port is operated by electricity, so the rotating power cuts in the past time in Hai Phong City have caused many difficulties for port operations. Most of the power outages were so sudden that businesses could not arrange their work with each temporary power shutdown lasting more than 6 hours.

These rolling blackouts caused businesses to pay huge port demurrage fees as their container ships were docking in ports longer than their allotted time. Currently, a day's ship at a port costs about $30,000 - $50,000 depending on the type and size of the ship. Moreover, ships’ docking long in Hai Phong City will greatly affect other ports in the ship's journey, as well as damage of commercial goods. The associations suggested that special priority should be given to the power supply for ports.

In case of power failure due to an incident or force majeure event, competent agencies should notify the ports of the estimated time of resumption of power within 24 hours according to the provisions of the Electricity Law.

At the same time, the electricity authority needs to send a written explanation to the ports within 8 hours immediately which will be used by the port to liaise with customers and shipping lines.

 
In the case of rolling power cuts, the associations recommend responsible agencies need to have a specific plan which should be sent to the ports at least 5 days in advance on three consecutive days on the mass media, or send a written document to the port.

The associations also suggested that the power sector should have solutions to support and compensate for damage to the port such as supporting investment funds, and costs of maintaining the operation of substations and generators.

Additionally, the electricity sector must give the port financial support because ships must dock at the port longer than its allotted time due to power failure and there should be a policy to subsidize electricity for the port to compensate for the damage caused by power cuts.

The associations also proposed to have incentive and preferential policies for port and logistics enterprises pioneering in technology application, investment and use of renewable energy and clean energy.

Foreign Direct Investment will grow in Vietnam

Foreign Direct Investment is one of the most important factors driving the economic growth in Vietnam.

In terms of Foreign Direct Investment inflow, Vietnam benefits more than any other country from the ongoing US-China trade war because of three important strengths that have promoted investment from multinational corporations and seen an increase in some exports.

The most important strength is that of lower wages of workers at factories in Vietnam, which are just half of that compared to China, although the productivity of human resources in the two countries is very much similar.

Another factor is that Vietnam has a geographical location which is closer to the supply chain in Asia, which is also very convenient for the production of high-tech products.

The other important strength is that multinationals tend to invest more in Vietnam because of less risk of higher tariffs on exports to the US.

Vietnam is currently an attractive investment country and is seeing a significant increase in investment following Antony Blinken's visit to Vietnam along with the largest-ever delegation of leading US companies.

This advantage of Vietnam has not diminished since the visit to India in April of Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Corporation, that sparked many speculations about Apple's intention to build new factories in India.

Because investment in India does not have the same starting point as "China + 1", an investment strategy that has boosted Foreign Direct Investment inflow into Vietnam over the last decade and increasingly more since the US-China trade conflict broke out.

Accordingly, from 2018 to 2022, the share of China's exports to the US decreased by about 13 percent, from 69 percent to 56 percent of total exports from Least Developed Countries (LDC) in Asia to America.

Vietnam has captured about half of China's declining export market share, thereby increasing Vietnam's share of exports from LDCs in Asia to the US from 6 percent in 2018 to 13 percent in 2022.

Besides, the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment capital of some countries in the region such as Malaysia and Indonesia has increased sharply in the last two years, which is a positive sign for Vietnam.

But although Vietnam's capacity has not yet extended to higher value-added industries, such as data centers and cloud computing, Malaysia has started with the assembly of electronic products to develop this technology and has been successful.

Therefore, Malaysia's experience will help Vietnam in accessing Foreign Direct Investment inflow to develop new technologies.

However, in 2021, more than 100 countries, including Vietnam, agreed to the proposal of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to apply a Global Minimum Corporate Tax (GMT) of 15 percent from 2023.

Currently, Vietnam is preparing to implement the minimum tax by next year, and about 70 companies in Vietnam may have a tax rate increase if the new tax is applied.

At the same time, a number of emerging markets in the region are said to be working on alternative supports, where some additional tax revenues will be channeled into a business support fund to subsidize some of the production costs of such companies, such as subsidized electricity prices, supporting new factory construction costs, and support housing for workers.

This is being planned in order to offset the burden of paying higher taxes by companies.

It is unlikely that the GMT will hinder Vietnam's Foreign Direct Investment inflow as tax incentives are not the main attraction of this capital inflow.

Factors such as political stability, favorable business environment, workforce quality and low wages, along with infrastructure, all play a more important role. Moreover, Vietnam will have alternatives to the GMT tax when it is finally implemented.

Hence, Vietnam will continue to be a leading destination for Foreign Direct Investment capital inflow, especially for multinational companies looking to produce goods for export and those looking for production base to replace their China base in the near future.

30.4 per cent of real estate companies left market in first five months

30.4 per cent of real estate companies, or a total of 554, were dissolved in the first five months of 2023. Along with this, the number of newly registered property firms decreased by 61.4 per cent on-year.

The information was published at a conference organised by the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VAR). According to VAR, the revenue of these companies dropped by 6.46 per cent and the after-tax profits decreased by 38.6 per cent on-year.

In this difficult context, many companies had to dismiss staff. Five of the 20 real estate companies with the largest lay-offs included Dat Xanh Group (41 per cent of all employees), Dat Xanh Real Estate Service JSC (45 per cent), NovaGroup (20 per cent), Sunshine Homes (16 per cent), and An Gia Real Estate Investment and Development Corporation (29 per cent).

According to information from the Ministry of Construction, from early this year, real estate companies continually voiced their concerns about accessing loans, issuing bonds, and mobilising capital from customers. In addition, the foreign currency ratio, the increase in the price of gas, and the soaring cost of construction materials pushed the companies to deadlock.

The waning confidence of homebuyers in the sector was the first reason behind their tightening budgets, but high deposit rates also play a part by incentivising investors to put their money into banks rather than in real estate.

Another factor is the global economic downturn that has been sapping demand across the board. The real estate sector was among those that bore the brunt of the weakening demand.

DKRA Group said resort real estate was stuck in limbo as most of the products in the segment cannot sell. The global economic depression hit so hard that the demand for villas and shophouses fell by 98 per cent and 99 per cent respectively in April.

Hanoi strives to complete key transport projects this year 

The two projects, Vĩnh Tuy Bridge Phase 2 and a flyover at the intersection of Chùa Bộc and Phạm Ngọc Thạch streets, will be completed this year, according to the Hà Nội Management Board of Transport Projects.

The management board has asked the contractors to accelerate the progress of key traffic projects being implemented in order to soon complete the framework infrastructure and contribute to solving traffic jams in the city.

Vĩnh Tuy Bridge - Phase 2 is located downstream of Hồng (Red) River and runs parallel to Vĩnh Tuy Bridge - Phase 1, with a total length of bridge and road of 3.47km.

Vĩnh Tuy Bridge - Phase 2 starts at the intersection of Nguyễn Khoái and Minh Khai streets in Hai Bà Trưng District and ends at the intersection of Long Biên, Thạch Bàn and Cổ Linh streets in Long Biên District.

The project’s investment is over VNĐ2.5 trillion (US$108.4 million) and the construction was carried out from 2020 to 2022.

After the completion of Phase 2, the completed Vĩnh Tuy Bridge will have eight lanes.

So far, the project has completed all 562 piles, 61 pylons and the entire upper structure of 2,168m.

Currently, the contractors are mobilising labour and machinery to complete the main spans across the river before June 30.

The remaining items include casting the concrete bridge railing, making expansion joints, planting trees, installing the lighting system, covering the bridge deck with asphalt and painting traffic signs to be completed for official traffic on September 2.

The flyover at the intersection of Chùa Bộc and Phạm Ngọc Thạch streets is an assembled steel structure with a C-shape and a total length of over 320m.

During the implementation process, the project had to adjust its progress due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and removing underground works in the project area.

After construction is completed, the flyover will help ease traffic pressure at the crowded intersection.

In addition, the management board is also actively preparing to invest in major projects in the city, of which, the national key project of Ring Road 4 – the Capital Region will be guaranteed to start construction in June of this year. 

UN project to combat zoonotic disease risks from wildlife kicks off in VN

The COVID-19 pandemic brought people's attention to zoonotic diseases — transmitted between animals and humans — and the risks of bush meat consumption to global health security, experts said.

However, the wildlife trade is still a common source of livelihood in many countries in Southeast Asia.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Thursday (June 8) kicked off the Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment (SAFE) project.

This project aims to reduce zoonotic disease risks at high-risk wildlife facilities with the generous support of the European Union.

During opening remarks, Vương Tiến Mạnh, an expert from the MARD, stated that this project would boost the government's effort toward reducing the risks of wildlife trade and bush meat consumption.

The SAFE project is a joint initiative implemented in the Laos People’s Democratic Republic, Sabah state of Malaysia, Thailand and Việt Nam.

FAO Việt Nam Emergency Centre for Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Senior Technical Co-ordinator Pawin Padungtod explained that FAO is implementing the SAFE project in Việt Nam to support the government in identifying high-risk facilities, including socio-economic impact and risk mitigation, enabling the development of improved national policies and regional co-operation towards better pandemic prevention and preparedness.

The project will also support the development of regional biosafety standards and joint strategies within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ultimately strengthening cooperation, and sharing best practices between Việt Nam and other ASEAN countries.

Through the One Health approach, efforts are also being made to enhance collaboration between the public health, animal health and environmental sectors.

People wait for clean water at resettlement area

More than 10 years after moving to a new resettlement area, dozens of households in Giếng Xạ Village, Cư Yên Commune, Lương Sơn District still live with a severe lack of clean water, which seriously affects their daily life.

The area also does not have a sewage system, which leads to water pollution.

To have drinking water, many people have had to find different ways, but it is only a temporary measure.

The Giếng Xạ Village resettlement area was built in 2011 following Decision No. 2343/QĐ-UBND of Hòa Bình Province.

The resettlement area is for households which had to move for the Cửu Long ecological and service urban area project.

However, until now, the people here have faced many difficulties because the infrastructure system in the resettlement area was not implemented as promised.

Local people have sent letters and petitions, but the Lương Sơn District People’s Committee and concerned units have not resolved the problems.

Observations by a Vietnam News Agency correspondent showed that the resettlement area reeks of the bad smell of sewage.

The lighting system is rusted, while clean water and a wastewater treatment system are not available.

Lý’s house has been built since last year, but she cannot complete it because of the water shortage.

Local people said that before starting construction work on the resettlement area, the Lương Sơn District People’s Committee said that the resettlement area would have enough clean water from the Đà River.

They also promised that the resettlement area would have an 800sq.m park. Other infrastructure will be built synchronously so that the new neighborhood would be better than the old one.

But, until now, these plans have not been fulfilled.

Bạch Văn Lục, another resident, said that instead of having clean water from the Đà River as promised by local authorities, a water pumping station was built.

The station included a drilled well, a pump to suck water from the well and two stainless steel water tanks placed about 3m above the ground to supply clean water to people in the Giếng Xạ Village resettlement area.

However, the water pumping station now is covered by grass. Local residents have never had clean water from it.

Lục said that water from the well was actually unusable because it was heavily polluted. It is blue with an unusual fishy smell.

His family had to install water pipes themselves to take water from Tân Vinh Commune, Lương Sơn District to use.

In addition to clean water, the resettlement area has another problem. Waste water is not discharged and treated, so it stagnates all year round with a bad smell.

The electricity system here is also incomplete.

The distance between electric poles is uneven. Some poles tilt unsafely. There are even electric poles in front of people's houses.

The light bulbs were installed since the resettlement site was formed but have never been lit.

There are electric lines in the area, but all households have to pay money themselves to connect with the main electricity system.

Hoàng Tùng, acting chairman of the Cư Yên Commune People's Committee, said that people’s lives in the Giếng Xạ Village resettlement area face many difficulties.

From 2012-13, district leaders came, promised to complete the work, but so far it is still not finished.

Many times in voters’ meetings, the commune has requesting the district People's Committee to have solutions to the shortcomings and meet the people's aspirations.

Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, head of the Lương Sơn District Urban Management Division, said that the problems were due to the system's design.

The district People's Committee is planning a new residential area located next to the Giếng Xạ Village resettlement area.

When building the new one, they will also complete the infrastructure system in Giếng Xạ Village.

Deputy Chairman of the Lương Sơn District People's Committee Nguyễn Anh Đức said that after receiving the people’s comments, the district founded a working group including experts from the Urban Management Division, Economy Division, Construction Projects Management Board, Cư Yên Commune People's Committee, Hòa Bình Clean Water Company, and Lương Sơn Branch Electricity Company.

The experts checked and reviewed the current status of the Giếng Xạ Village resettlement area.

The Hòa Bình Clean Water Company is assigned to survey the area, urgently connect water from the Lương Sơn Clean Water Plant to Cư Yên Commune to serve the people.

They assigned the Lương Sơn Branch Electricity Company to ensure the lighting system.

The Construction Projects Management Board will coordinate with the Urban Management Division to review infrastructure, the drainage system, and the clean water system. 

Measures sought to encourage installation of roof-top power systems

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently held a working session with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and a number of relevant ministries and agencies on policies to increase the installation of roof-top solar power systems in the community.

Under the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (PDP VIII), in 2030, 50% of office buildings and 50% of residential houses use solar power for their self-consumption.

At the working session, participants pointed out a number of difficulties hindering the installation of roof-top solar power system and reasons behind the situation, as well as measures to promote the installation of the system in houses and buildings, especially in areas with high risk of power shortage like the northern and central regions.

Concluding the session, Deputy PM Ha said that as matters related to solar and renewable energy have yet to be included in legal documents, it is necessary to design flexible policies in piloting the scheme.

He asked the MoIT to promptly propose to the Government and the PM mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in the field and promote the use of electricity generated from roof-top power systems in daily activities as well as offices and businesses’ operations.

Management agencies should provide optimal conditions and give technical guidance as well as incentives to solar power equipment manufacturers and importers, while supporting households in purchasing the equipment, and building a suitable price framework for roof-top electricity transmitted to the power grid.

Earlier, PM Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha had many meetings with relevant ministries and agencies to seek measures to ensure power supply in the dry season of 2023 and following years, especially in the north.

On June 6, PM Chinh sent a dispatch to ministries, sectors and localities on urgent solutions to ensure supply of power in the dry season of 2023 and following years as well as effectively implement power saving measures.

On June 8, Deputy PM Ha also issued a directive on the strengthening of power saving in the 2023-2035 period and following years, which included the promotion of roof-top power system installation.

Son La plum to be served on Vietnam Airlines flights

Plum grown in the northwestern province of Son La will be served on in-flight meals on Vietnam Airlines flights.

The provincial People’s Committee on June 10 organised a ceremony to mark the transportation of plums grown in Phien Khoai commune, Yen Chau district to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

The Noi Bai Catering Services Joint Stock Company (NCS) and Vietnam Air Catering Services Joint Stock Company (VINACS) have bought over one tonne of the plum to use as dessert for air passengers.

Last year, Son La longan was chosen to serve as dessert on Vietnam Airlines flights, contributing to raising the brand and value of local typical agricultural products.

Vice Chairman of Son La provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong said that the production, collection, and preservation process of Son La's key agricultural products in general, and plum in particular, ensure the requirements in quality, food safety, and others for domestic and export markets. The presence of Son La plum in meals served on Vietnam Airlines flights helps affirm the quality and brand of Son La's agricultural products.

Currently , the province has nearly 85,000 ha of fruit with a yearly output of over 452,000 tonnes. Specifically, it has over 12,300 ha of plum, producing nearly 90,000 tonnes yearly. Son La plum is harvested from April to July. In 2021, the plum was granted a certificate of trademark registration with plum grown in Pu Nhi commune (Song Ma district), Moc Chau district, and Phieng Khoai commune (Yen Chau district).

Gia Lai to build wood processing industry on solid foundation

The Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, once known as the “timber industry tycoon”, is devising a clear strategy to put its wood processing industry on solid footing when it comes to exports to the European Union (EU). 

Gia Lai is now home to nearly 300 wood production and processing facilities, mostly small-scale operations that engage in timber logging and processing to supply raw materials and wood chips to processors and exporters outside the province. With a forested area of over 150,000ha and approximately 90,000ha of rubber plantations, the province is considered a significant source of raw materials for wood producers and processors.

The province is working to create a legal framework to ensure the legality of Vietnamese timber exports to the European market under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade.

Notably, Gia Lai has also embarked on the Sustainable and Efficient Wood Processing Industry Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period. This plan targets limiting logging in natural forests, conducting large-scale timber business operations to protect the ecological environment, ensuring a sustainable supply of wood materials, and improving the efficiency of the forestry business.

The province has allocated local budget funds for activities supporting forest plantation, issuing forest certification according to regulations, and encouraging investment in agriculture and rural areas. Additionally, measures have been put in place to ensure that all timber products exported to the EU have legal and traceable origins, in line with commitments to sustainable forest management.

During 2021-2025, the plan is to plant forests on 40,000ha. Out of this, at least 10,000 ha will be dedicated to large-scale timber forests, and 15,000ha of small-scale timber forests will be transformed into large-scale ones.

By 2030, the income of forest workers is expected to increase by 2-3 times per area unit compared to 2020.

Central region seeks ways to lure more Islamic tourists

A workshop on developing a supply chain of tourism services for Islamic visitors in central Vietnam opened in the central beach city of Da Nang on June 10.

Jointly organised by Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board in Vietnam, the Islamic Tourism Centre under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, and the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the event saw the participation of representatives of more than 100 enterprises in the sector in three central localities, namely Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam.

Nguyen Son Thuy, Director of Duy Nhat Dong Duong Tourism Limited Company, said that Vietnam has welcome many Muslim tourists in recent years, but the sector has yet to enjoy due attention.

Deputy Chairman of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Nguyen Xuan Binh said the city has developed several plans to attract more tourists following the COVID-19 pandemic, and this market sector is seeing a chance to further expand.

According to Marina Muhamad, Director of Islamic Tourism Centre, Da Nang should pay attention to special services catering the needs of Islamic tourists such as praying areas and Halal food.

Delegates at the event exchanged ideas on trends and consumption habits in tourism among Islamic tourists and Halal culinary services.

There are about 1.8 billion Muslims in the world, the ASEAN region accounts for 255 million. Recently, the early reopening of direct flights between Da Nang and Singapore, Malaysia and India have created favorable conditions for the number of foreign tourists visiting Da Nang to grow strongly in Southeast Asia.

Binh Phuoc’s cashew nuts recognised 5-star OCOP product

“Salted roasted cashew nuts”, “Plain cashew nuts” and “White cashew nuts” have become the first to be recognised as 5-star OCOP (one commune one product) products at the national level of the southern province of Binh Phuoc – the country’s cashew “capital”.

These products are of Ha My Joint Stock Company in Tan Lap commune of Dong Phu district.

Binh Phuoc boasts more than 50% of the country’s total area and output. The cashew tree of Binh Phuoc has been protected by the National Office of Intellectual Property (Ministry of Science and Technology) for geographical indications throughout the territory of Vietnam.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province is growing cashew on nearly 152,000 hectares, with a total output of 170,000 tonnes.

Currently, there are over 1,400 cashew processing and business facilities in Binh Phuoc. The sector earns more than 33 trillion VND (1.4 billion USD) each year.

HCMC seeing decrease in housing supply in projects

The HCMC Construction Department has just reported the results of implementing the resolution of HCMC People’s Council on housing development in the 2021-2030 period.

Accordingly, in 2021, HCMC built 4.9 million square meters of residential floor, exceeding the target by 16.7 percent. More than three-thirds of that were private houses constructed by city dwellers themselves, and the rest were completed houses in different projects.

In 2022, the figure for new residential floor was 8.45 million square meters, also exceeding the target by 28 percent.

In the first quarter this year, HCMC only witnessed the construction of 0.95 million square meters of residential floor, dropping 58 percent compared to this time previous years. Most of that were still private houses built by local dwellers themselves (over 90 percent of the increasing residential floor).

Regarding social housing, from 2021 to the first quarter of 2023, HCMC finished one project with 260 apartments. Another six projects are in progress to supply nearly 4,100 apartments. In addition, one worker residence building is on the way to offer 1,040 apartments.

The HCMC Department of Construction stated that housing development in the city is not sustainable as most new structures have been private houses built by individual residents. Project housing only accounts for 30 percent, and is on the wane.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes