Vietna

The U.S. is a market with much potential for Vietnamese companies, especially as Vietnam has been able to keep the Covid-19 pandemic under control, said Nguyen Huu Tien, director of the HCMC Investment and Trade Promotion Centre. The U.S. was Vietnam’s largest export market in the first four months with the value of shipments surging 50 percent year-on-year to $30.3 billion. Top export categories included machinery and equipment, textile and garment, and computers and electronics. Last year, Vietnamese exports to the U.S. ranked third in Asia after China and Japan. Ken D. Duong, director of international law firm TDL, said that traditional categories such as agriculture produce and fisheries were posting strong figures despite the pandemic. U.S. companies have stopped purchasing some hardwood products from China and are looking for alternative markets, he said, adding that last year, many Vietnamese companies were able to take advantage of this and got large orders. Many … [Read more...] about Doors open wider for Vietnam exports to the US

Hanoi said part of the US report on freedom of religion in Vietnam is entirely partial. More than 25 million of people in Vietnam or 27% of the country’s population are people of all faiths, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). Vietna's nuns celebrate the UN Day of Vesak 2019. Photos: VNA As a whole, roughly 95% of Vietnam’s population follow their own religious practices, MoFA’s Deputy Spokesperson Doan Khac Viet said at a press conference in Hanoi on April 29, adding that the figures largely show Vietnam’s consistent policy on respecting the people’s rights to religious freedom. Viet made the statement in responding to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)’s 2021 Annual Report in which Vietnam is blamed for “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations” of religious freedom. He said Vietnam’s full religious freedom is obviously stipulated in the Constitution and laws, affirming that Vietnam always facilitates … [Read more...] about 27% of Vietnam’s population are religious followers

This rule will apply starting Tuesday, the ministry said, but did not specify the duration of extension at centralized quarantine facilities. Dang Quang Tan, head of the ministry's General Department of Preventive Medicine, said the ministry's latest decision was made after several individuals contracted the novel coronavirus after they'd already completed the 14-day quarantine and tested negative twice. In the past six days, at least three such cases have been detected, the latest one Tuesday morning - an Indian man in Hanoi. From the first two cases, the infection spread in the community, with 35 cases recorded so far in five localities, including Hanoi and HCMC. Under the mandated protocol thus far, people could return to normal lives after finishing the quarantine period and two negative tests, but would be medically monitored for 14 more days. During this extension, they are asked to stay at one specific address filed in a declaration form submitted to the health authorities … [Read more...] about Vietnam extends quarantine period

Situated at the foot of Eo Gio Pass in Nghia Hanh District, Truong Chu's water lilies pond, which spans one hectare, was formed 40 years ago. The water lilies pond is located close to the edge of the forest, collecting water flows down from the upper mountain. The pond gets filled up during the rainy season and will begin to dry up in July, creating favorable conditions for water lilies to thrive. The blooming water lillies not only attract visitors, but also a lot of bees and butterflies seeking nectar and birds hunting insects. Chu rows a boat to pick water lilies and tend to grass carp raised in the pond. Chu has also opened a boating service, charging VND100,000 ($4.32) per visitor wishing to explore the pond and VND200,000 ($8.65) for tourists who also want to harvest the flowers and take photographs. Hoang Thi Mai Phuong, who came here with photographers, said that she had passed through the pond many times and wanted to … [Read more...] about Thousands thrilled as central Vietnam pond blooms in peak pink