Kumquat tree not bearing fruit

Multiple red-shanked doucs could be spotted at Bach Ma National Park in north central Thua Thien-Hue Province at the start of spring. Nguyen Vu Linh, director of the national park, said there are around 12 troops of doucs with over 128 individuals. Around six troops, amounting to over 85 doucs, reside in the Bach Ma mountain area inside the park. "The troops of doucs only returned to the mountains three to four years ago. It means the ecosystem here has been protected well," Linh said. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, few visitors have toured the park recently, allowing the doucs to forage further afield. A douc hangs from a tree branch. The doucs instinctively seek out young leaves to feed on. A loud noise would cause the entire troop to flee the scene. Many photographers take advantage of the quiet park for creative inspiration. Some even traversed jungles deep within the reserve, hoping to capture the daily … [Read more...] about Endangered doucs enjoy idyllic lives thanks to Covid-19

The country’s trade turnover during January-February topped some US$95.81 billion, a year-on-year surge of 25.4%. Of the total, exports amounted to US$48.55 billion, a yearly hike of 23.2%, while imports were estimated at US$47.26 billion, or 25.9% higher than the same time last year. Foreign-invested companies accounted for 76.4%, or US$37.07 billion, of Vietnam’s total export turnover. Meanwhile, the domestic sector shipped abroad US$11.48 billion worth of products. There were nine commodities joining the billion-USD export club, including telephones and parts (US$9.3 billion, up 22.8% year-on-year); electronics, computers and parts (US$6.9 billion, up 27.3%); equipment, machines and parts (US$5.5 billion, up 72.6%); footwear (US$3.2 billion, up 15.4%); and wood and wooden products (US$2.4 billion, up 51%). They made up 73% of the country’s export turnover. Vietnam also saw strong surge in shipments of several agricultural products, such as fruits and vegetables (US$610 … [Read more...] about Vietnam racks up US$1.29 billion in trade surplus in two months

Customers buy farm produce to help Hai Duong farmers at AEON - Long Bien, Ha Noi. — Photo AEON Vietnam To support farmers in the COVID-19 hit region of Hai Duong, grocery giant AEON is selling their produce for zero profit. The move comes after many farmers in the region have been unable to shift their stock, due to lockdown restrictions in the area. Over the past three days, 43 tonnes of farm produce, including cabbage, kohlrabi, carrots, tomatoes, guava pears, have been trucked to big cities for sale. Products are being sold at AEON - Long Biên, AEON - Ha Dong and AEON MaxValu Express Riverside Supermarket (Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi) and AEON MaxValu Express EcoPark (Hung Yen). The items are being sold at low prices, to ensure profits are solely for the farmers. Tran Thu Quynh, Northern Merchandising General Manager at AEON Vietnam, said: “Understanding the difficulties of farmers in Hai Duong, AEON Vietnam would like to join hands to support and promote the consumption of … [Read more...] about AEON Vietnam support the consumption of Hai Duong agricultural products

“Private” islets on Tri An Lake By Nguyen Vu Moc Thieng Some bungalows on Robincao's islets A Vietnamese singer left the hustle and bustle of urban life to do ecotourism and live in harmony with nature on six islets in Dong Nai Province Farmer and singer Cao Minh several decades ago left his city to reclaim nearly 20 hectares of land in Dong Nai Province’s Vinh Cuu District. Cao Minh soon became a “genuine” farmer, doing all the farm chores by himself, from building houses to driving a bulldozer. However, such a rural lifestyle gradually lost its appeal. Cao Minh wanted to find something new. He later moved to Tri An Lake where he now owns six islets. Calling himself “Robincao,” a new name created by merging Robinson—the main character in a the famous adventure novel “Robinson Crusoe” by England written Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)—with his family name, Cao. Cao Minh’s six islets are four kilometers from the shore. The largest islet covering five hectares is home to … [Read more...] about “Private” islets on Tri An Lake

Leaving big cities: A transitory fad or a consistent trend? By Nguyen Minh Hoa Living closer to nature or in the countryside is now a way of life - PHOTO: THANH HOA Titles such as “Farewell to Moscow,” “Departing Seoul,” or “Goodbye Kuala Lumpur” have made the headlines in the international press these days, suggesting a phenomenon in which many people left metropolises for the countryside. In Vietnam, a similar fact has also happened when residents departed HCMC and Hanoi to live in rural areas. Most of them did so because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, will they return to their cities after the pandemic is over? The industrial revolution which broke out in Europe and North America at the beginning of the 17th century also triggered the mass exodus from villages to cities which were huge industrial hubs. Ever since, such a move, be it fast or slow, has never halted. The world is now home to truly “megacities” that may house up to 40% of the national population … [Read more...] about Leaving big cities: A transitory fad or a consistent trend?