Denmark

Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) on Friday cut a deal with Orsted, Denmark’s leading energy firm, to manufacture turbine foundations for the 920-MW Greater Changhua offshore wind farm in Taiwan, one of Asia’s largest offshore wind projects. Under the deal, the Vietnamese firm will produce 33 suction bucket jacket foundations based on Orsted’s bespoke designs. They will be eco-friendly. The foundations will be installed at the Greater Changhua 2b and 4 wind farm, which covers 185 square kilometers, in late 2025. The project is estimated to consume 70,000 tonnes of steel and create thousands of jobs at PTSC and other contractors in the supply chain. PTSC CEO Le Manh Cuong speaks at the signing ceremony on May 19, 2023. Photo: Supplied “The partnership with Denmark’s Orsted marked a key milestone for PTSC’s development, driving the firm’s mass production," said PTSC CEO Le Manh Cuong. "The deal is expected to contribute to forming the supply … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s PTSC to manufacture foundations for Asia’s large offshore wind project

This year's film festival brings in 19 works, opening with Close - the Grand Prix film of Cannes Film Festival in 2022. The European Film Festival (EUFF) 2023 in Hanoi opened on the evening of May 21, screening films from 19 European countries, starting with Close - the film that won Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. Featuring a selection of contemporary European cinema, including several award-winning entries, EUFF 2023 presents stories set in a range of spatiotemporal contexts. Taking the idea of "journeys" as its starting point, the festival introduces a diverse cast of characters - parents and children, athletes, artists, writers, emigrants, friends, and strangers - who travel across the continent to explore their identity, community, and heritage, often having a memorable time in the process. Through their perspectives, Europe appears in all its kaleidoscopic beauty. Young audiences attended the 22nd European Film Festival opening … [Read more...] about European Film Festival 2023 opens in Hanoi

Increased political resistance to new EU laws to protect the environment has left the European Commission fighting to keep intact its vision for Europe's green transition. Ahead of elections in the European Parliament in June next year, the European Union is racing to finish legislation that includes two landmark nature bills - binding targets for countries to restore damaged natural habitats and a goal to halve chemical pesticide use by 2030. Much EU environment legislation has been passed over the last two years, but the appetite on the part of some lawmakers and member states for more is waning and farming groups say further change must be conditional on more financial support. Brussels proposed the nature measures last June. Opposition has mounted in recent weeks, as EU countries and lawmakers prepare for the final negotiations. The European Parliament's biggest group, the European People's Party, has called for the nature law to be scrapped saying it would hurt farmers. … [Read more...] about Europe hits resistance in race to finalise green laws

ROBOTACON WRO 2023 is being organised nationwide for the first time Under the theme connecting the world, the ROBOTACON WRO 2023 competition is co-organised by the Embassy of Denmark, Viet Tinh Anh JSC, and LEGO Education. This year, the teams participating in the contest will be divided into groups with tasks under various topics based on current interests from around the world, such as marine life conservation, underwater infrastructure, port automation, and others. According to the Danish ambassador Nicolai Prytz, he is very proud that the Embassy of Denmark is one of the co-organisers of ROBOTACON WRO 2023, the largest and most prestigious competition dedicated to science, technology, and education in Vietnam for students aged 6-19 years. “I believe that this will be a fantastic playground for young Vietnamese people to learn the necessary skills for the 21 st century, such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and technology. The competition also … [Read more...] about ROBOTACON WRO 2023 organised nationwide

Spanish police raided three clandestine tobacco factories early this year, seizing nearly 40 million euros ($44 million) worth of tobacco leaf and illicit cigarettes. At one, in the northern town of Alfaro, they found 10 Ukrainian workers, five of them war refugees, who'd been put to work with no contracts and scant pay, police said. They worked all day for and lived at the factory, forbidden from leaving. This operation is one of dozens across the EU that regional policing and anti-fraud agencies say have driven seizures of illicit cigarettes to record levels. Crime groups, which have traditionally mainly sourced fake tobacco products from outside the EU, are increasingly setting up production facilities in western Europe to be closer to higher-priced markets, according to Reuters interviews with half a dozen specialists in the field, including enforcement officials, tobacco executives and industry analysts. The trend was revved up by the travel shutdown of the COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Big Tobacco faces big EU counterfeit problem

According to Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) deputy general director Nguyen Tai Anh, "It will be crucial to implement a swift legal framework on investment, building, and operating offshore wind power projects while simultaneously drawing in investment and enhancing the existing transportation system." "The urgent need is to alter the policy framework as well as regulations to effectively accomplish the defined goals," added Tai Anh, speaking at a conference hosted by EVN on June 1. According to international practice, bringing an offshore wind power project into action requires about 8–9 years of planning and execution. Some analysts predict that Vietnam will require a vigorous preparatory process with suitable regulations to expedite the implementation time to meet the target of 7GW of power from offshore wind by 2030. The German Development Agency's Energy Support Programme and Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG) gathered specialists to share their international knowledge … [Read more...] about Vietnam needs to modify policies to foster offshore wind power

Ambassadors shared the view that despite various challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic and emerging global issues, the UNCLOS Group of Friends, with its 115 member states, has maintained regular activities and diversified forms of exchanges since its establishment. Specifically, the group has held various dialogues and discussions on topics related to UNCLOS 1982, shared understanding and practical experience in ocean governance, raised public awareness of UNCLOS 1982 adherence, promoted the use of oceans for peaceful and sustainable purposes, and coordinated efforts to elevate its role and contributions in the U.N. forums. Its efforts and activities have been highly welcomed by friends and the U.N. On the occasion, they debated the group's future orientations as important events on maritime and ocean issues at the U.N. are to be held, such as the Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS 1982 (SPLOS 33) and the adoption of the Agreement on the Conservation of Marine Biodiversity of Areas … [Read more...] about UNCLOS Group of Friends agrees to advance multilateralism, int’l cooperation

The fifth plenary session of the 15th National Assembly has discussed and approved a number of important draft bills, including three new amendments to regulations that have significant impacts on the tourism industry in Vietnam. These policies are expected to boost the recovery and development of the tourism sector. Martin Koerner - Chairman EuroCham Vietnam’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee The first law is to extend the visa exemption duration from the current 15 days to 45 days for citizens of countries that currently can travel to Vietnam visa exempt, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. This law aims to attract more tourists from these key markets and encourage them to stay longer and spend more here. The second law is to expand the list of countries eligible for e-visa from 46 to 80, including markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. The e-visa allows visitors to apply … [Read more...] about The future of tourism in Vietnam new visa policies and beyond

Speaking at the regular meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors that opened in Vienna on June 5, Ambassador Kien highlighted the need to balance the three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), thereby elevating the rights of countries to use nuclear energy and technology for peaceful purposes in accordance with international law and NPT obligations. Underlining Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in nuclear safeguards, he affirmed that the country always supports IAEA’s role and values technical cooperation programs, particularly ongoing ones between Vietnam and the IAEA such as the ZODIAC program and the trilateral project among Vietnam, Laos/Cambodia, and the IAEA. He also suggested the IAEA continue enhancing support for and technical cooperation with Vietnam in this field. The meeting will take place over the course of one week and focus on reviewing and discussing IAEA's annual, technical cooperation and nuclear safeguard reports, with the aim … [Read more...] about Ambassador reaffirms Vietnam’s support for nuclear non-proliferation