Vietnamese airlines

Foreign firms register trademark protection for Vietnamese rice in U.S.

April 21, 2021 by english.thesaigontimes.vn

Foreign firms register trademark protection for Vietnamese rice in U.S.

By Nam Binh

Vietnam’s ST25 rice once recognized as the world’s best rice – PHOTO: NAM BINH

HCMC – Four foreign companies have registered trademark protection for Vietnam’s ST25 rice in the U.S., which may choke off Vietnamese food exporters tapping the market later, according to Vu Ba Phu, director of the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Pham Minh Thien, general director of the Dong Thap-based Co May Co. Ltd., said besides ST24 and ST25 rice, he has seen Vietnamese rice with Vietnamese names such as “Ba con nai” and “Ba mien” labeled as “Made in Thailand” in the U.S. market.

Speaking to The Saigon Times, a leader of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said Vietnamese enterprises have been tardy in registering trademark protection for their products in foreign markets.

This is not the first time this is happening. Foreign companies have also registered trademark protection for other Vietnamese products in foreign markets such as Phu Quoc fish sauce and Buon Ma Thuot coffee.

“Enterprises from any country are not banned from registering trademark protection for the products of other countries if the products have not been registered for trademark protection in the U.S.,” the VFA leader said.

Vu Ba Phu said the relevant agencies can help businesses register trademark protection for their businesses in foreign markets but cannot help them reclaim their brands that have been registered for trademark protection by foreign companies.

Getting dragged into legal proceedings related to trademark protection also costs a lot of money and time. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses should proactively protect their brands.

“A Hanoi-based cushion and chair manufacturer has registered for the trademark protection for its products in 60 countries around the world right after the products were launched, even before seeking distributors. This is what Vietnamese businesses should do to protect their brands and products in foreign markets,” Phu suggested.

The ST25 rice variety was crossbred in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang by a three-member team of two agriculture engineers Ho Quang Cua and Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, and Dr. Tran Tan Phuong.

It was crowned the world’s best rice at the World’s Best Rice competition on November 12, 2019, the first time that Vietnam won the highest award at the contest.

The competition was hosted by The Rice Trader, a publication providing in-depth analysis of the global rice industry.

The best rice was reportedly selected by a group of international chefs, who examined the appearance, fragrance and taste of the cooked rice.

Logistics firms encouraged to foster links to bolster performance

April 20, 2021 by en.vietnamplus.vn

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Fostering connectivity between logistics providers and between them and companies in other sectors will create more opportunities for mutual support, thus creating large enterprises to lead the market, according to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh .

Last year, when global trade was severely impacted by COVID-19, logistics activities in many countries came to a standstill, while logistics in service of e-commerce became quickly overloaded due to a surge in online orders, Khanh told a conference in Hanoi on April 20 discussing measures to develop the logistics market.

Without careful preparations, logistics providers as well as production and business enterprises will face major difficulties in adapting to the new circumstances, he believes.

He noted that the global logistics market was given a boost by the recovery in international trade flows in the second half of 2020. Moreover, post-pandemic trade facilitation and policies from governments to improve the economic climate were helpful in expanding the market.

According to a report from ResearchAndMarket.com, the size of the global logistics market was estimated at 3.31 trillion USD in 2021, up 17.6 percent compared to 2000 and showing that the sector still boasts substantial development potential.

According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), 95 percent of active logistics companies in Vietnam are Vietnamese, but mostly of small or medium scale and with poor links.

Many participants to the conference pointed out that their modest scale is one of the barriers facing domestic logistics firms in competing in the domestic market, not to mention the region and the world.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Quoc Phuong, Deputy General Director of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), said that international transport accounts for 80 percent of total transport in Vietnam. The market share in international transport held by domestic airlines is currently just 12 percent, with the remainder belonging to 75 foreign airlines.

Insiders said the Ministry of Industry and Trade should complete policies and legal regulations on logistics services.

At the same time, it is necessary to complete logistics infrastructure by continuing to review planning and investing in supporting businesses to build large warehouses in different localities.

Authorised agencies should also upgrade and connect transport infrastructure, cut fees, and allow the optimisation of resources through the re-distribution, sharing, and re-using of redundant capacity for the promotion of the logistics sector, they added./.

VNA

GDP leader checks preparations for receiving Chinese military delegation

April 21, 2021 by en.qdnd.vn

The program, which includes 15 performances introducing the Vietnamese traditional cultural identities, has been well prepared, according to officials at the rehearsal.

According to Senior Colonel Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh, Director of the Military Music Theater, the unit has built a plan to organize a special artistic exhibition highlighting the value and beauty of Vietnamese culture and arts.

In acknowledgement of the theater’s efforts, General Phuong praised the unit’s good preparations for the art program, and asked the theater to deal with limitations and shortcomings so as to have the best possible program to welcome the Chinese defense delegation.

The program is scheduled to take place at 18:30 on April 25 in Hanoi.

Translated by Minh Anh

Hung Kings’ death anniversary commemorated in HCMC

April 21, 2021 by sggpnews.org.vn

An incense offering ceremony is held at the Hung Kings Memorial Site in the National Historical and Cultural Park in Thu Duc City . (Photo: SGGP)

Attending at the meaningful annual event were Politburo member and HCMC Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Nen; former Politburo member and Secretary of HCMC Party Committee, Head of HCMC Delegation of National Assembly Deputies, Nguyen Thien Nhan; Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HCMC Tran Luu Quang; Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HCMC and Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong; Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HCMC and Chairwoman of HCMC People’s Council Nguyen Thi Le; Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HCMC Nguyen Ho Hai; Chairwoman of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City To Thi Bich Chau.

Hung Kings’ death anniversary commemorated in HCMC ảnh 2

Chairwoman of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City To Thi Bich Chau speaks at the event.

Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City To Thi Bich Chau said that Hung Kings worship ritual has become a significant cultural festival for the Vietnamese people. The annual event has the purpose of strengthening national unity. It is for worshipping and paying gratitude to Hung Kings, the legendary founders of the nation.

The ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of Hung Kings also included processions,the offerings of fruits, Banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and Banh day (round glutinous rice cake), folk music performances.

The delegation of the city’s leaders also offered incenses and flowers to army commander and an excellent administrator Nguyen Huu Canh who founded the Saigon – Gia Dinh region (present HCM City) in 1698.

The Hung Kings Memorial Day, which falls on the 10th of the third lunar month, is one of the public holidays of Vietnam. The worshipping ritual of the Hung Kings was recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.

Hung Kings’ death anniversary commemorated in HCMC ảnh 3

Worship rituals of the Hung Kings

Hung Kings’ death anniversary commemorated in HCMC ảnh 4

Worship rituals of the Hung Kings

Hung Kings’ death anniversary commemorated in HCMC ảnh 5

HCMC Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Nen offers incenses at the ceremony.

Hung Kings’ death anniversary commemorated in HCMC ảnh 6

HCMC leaders offer incenses at the ceremony.

By Thuy Binh – Translated by Kim Khanh

Shining smiles

March 23, 2021 by sggpnews.org.vn

Tens of thousands of smiles of many people of all different backgrounds nationwide are presented in pictures which were taken by photographer Tran The Phong over the past 10 years.

The Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper introduces some photographs of artist Tran The Phong. He will release his 10th photo book and the 16th solo photo exhibition at HCMC Book Street on March 27.

Friendly smiles of Vietnamese people and foreign visitors in HCMC (2011)

Happy smiles of disabled swimmer, groom Nguyen Hong Loi and designer, bride Phan Thi Tuong Nghia in HCMC (2020)

Two children play with a primitive go-cart in Phan Rang City in the South central coastal province of Phan Rang. (2013)

The smile of a little buffalo cowboy in Phan Rang (2015)

An optimistic smile of Harmonica player, Tong Son, 92, in HCMC (2021)

Happiness at work of a local people in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long (2018)

The smile of a street vendor in HCMC (2009)

Photographer Tran The Phong

By SGGP Newspaper – Translated by Kim Khanh

State President offers incense in commemoration of Hung Kings

April 21, 2021 by en.nhandan.org.vn

Attending the ceremony, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Party and State officials, and leaders of Phu Tho province offered incense and flowers in tribute to the Hung Kings, praying for the nation’s peace and prosperity.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Quang spoke highly of the great contributions of the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Van Lang – the first State in Vietnam, while praising their resilience in protecting the nation.

Following the incense offering ceremony, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the delegates laid a wreath of flowers and offered incense at the tomb of the 6th Hung King, and paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh and martyrs at a relief featuring the late leader’s speech to soldiers from the Tien Phong Vanguard Division stationed at the relic site.

On the occasion of the death anniversary of the Hung Kings, many Vietnamese people from across the country and abroad have paid homage to the national founders at etemple complexes.

Vietnamese people pay homage to their ancestors. (Photo: NDO/Duy Linh)

This year, many activities being held on the occasion have been adjusted to suit the “new normal” situation, with COVID-19 prevention measures strictly in place. The worship of the Hung Kings popularises the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity among Vietnamese nationals and foreign friends.

Earlier this morning, President Phuc visited the Tu Xa new-style rural commune in Lam Thao district, where he visited several public works such as markets and stadia, and met with local residents.

The leader congratulated Tu Xa commune on its achievements in building new style rural areas in recent times, stressing a new style rural locality needs an advanced and quality education system, sound medical services, and good living conditions.

He asked the commune to speed up the application of science and technology, and develop its One Commune One Product (OCOP) products to better serve the market.