Many local businesses have begun to sign farm produce export contracts after the Lunar New Year festival (Tet) in spite of difficulties.    

Entrepreneurs from Hongkong (China) recently toured the Mekong Delta region and decided to purchase 40,000 tonnes of rice. They are considering importing more rice from the region, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).

Currently, businesses are speeding up the signing of contracts to export dragon fruit and rambutan to the US and European Union (EU). They have also inked contracts to ship nearly 20 containers of various kinds of fruit, including dragon fruit, to China and the Middle East.

Vinamit Joint Stock Company, which specialises in dried fruit products, said it has also secured deals to deliver products to China, Cambodia and Laos.

Almost all Tra catfish processing enterprises have now resumed production after Tet and a series of export contracts have been penned in the early days of this year.

The Vietnam Pepper Association said many businesses have signed contracts to export black pepper to foreign markets following the long Tet holiday. This is a positive sign for businesses in the context of economic slowdown.

Costa Crociere S.p.A. to send one more cruise ship to Vietnam

Besides the Costa Classica cruise ship, Costa Crociere S.p.A. this year plans to send one more luxury vessel named Costa Victoria to bring international visitors to the country.

Saigontourist Travel Service Company, the local tourism agent of the Italia-based ship operator, revealed Costa Victoria would make the first trip to Vietnam in May on the route HCMC-Danang-Halong and vice versa.

Costa Crociere S.p.A said on its website that the new vessel has up to 964 cabins, five restaurants, ten bars, a two-storey theater, a casino alongside many other entertainment services.

Costa Classica cruise ship carrying about 2,500 passengers and sailors dropped anchor at Halong on Wednesday. The passengers went to Halong Bay, Long Tien and Yen Tu pagodas, Hon Gai Market and enjoyed multiple artistic shows for the one-day visit only.

According to Saigontourist, Costa Classica in the first two months of the year will drop by Vietnam up to six times. The local tour operator last year welcomed over 115,000 tourists from several countries like Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan on large cruise ships such as Costa Classica, SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius or Princess Daphne.

(Source: Vietnamnet)