The increase in electricity prices remains a hot topic as it has a major impact on households and businesses alike. Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has proposed another increase in retail electricity prices to compensate for its losses. Speaking at the state capital management in enterprises seminar last week, Nguyen Xuan Nam, vice president of EVN, said, "EVN accepts selling electricity at much lower prices than feed-in-tariffs (FiT). Although electricity prices have climbed three per cent in 2023, it only minimizes some parts of lingering difficulties since 2022. This year, retail electricity prices were not adjusted in a timely manner. As a result, EVN has incurred a loss of $1.48 billion." He added, "EVN's main task is to ensure a sufficient supply of electricity to the economy. However, the company encounters many challenges in mobilising and balancing its capital to fund its initiatives and ensuring safe operation and sufficient electricity supply in the following years. In 2023, … [Read more...] about Adjusting electricity tariff vital to the energy sector
Green economy
Significance of Vietnam being a market economy
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 72 countries recognize Vietnam as a market economy, including Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The UK did so recently with an official letter to the effect. Speaking to VnExpress , a Trade Remedies Authority Department official said since its first anti-dumping investigation case against Vietnam in 2002 the U.S. had been considering the country a non-market economy. In a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in Washington last Tuesday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed the U.S. to soon recognize Vietnam’s market economy status . The need for recognition of Vietnam's market economy status was also in the joint statement between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden on upgrading the two countries' relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The EU also sees Vietnam as a non-market economy. In 2015, while free-trade agreement negotiations were underway, the EU … [Read more...] about Significance of Vietnam being a market economy
Logistics groups go green to add to net-zero goals
Logistics groups go green to add to net-zero goals, source: DHL Express DHL Express on September 19 onboarded Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) to its GoGreen Plus service to reduce carbon emissions for its time-definite international shipments through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). By investing in GoGreen Plus, it is estimated that ACB will be able to reduce 14 tonnes worth of total CO2 emissions within a 12-month period. The entire process is verified annually by an independent third-party agency. In addition, a complementary carbon footprint report will be updated monthly, detailing ACB’s overall emissions with DHL Express. Bernardo Bautista, general director and country manager for DHL Express Vietnam, said that the company believed that corporate social responsibility and business success go hand-in-hand. “Global sustainability and environmental protection are important for all of us, including our customers. With SAF as our key lever to effectively … [Read more...] about Logistics groups go green to add to net-zero goals
More options looked at for energy-efficiency goals
Two weeks ago, the government held a forum to help make the first steps to shape the market of high-efficiency energy-consuming equipment by 2030. The move is made amid the rising pressure to alleviate power outages and achieve the net-zero goal by 2050. More options looked at for energy-efficiency goals, photo VNA The event, on developing the high-efficiency energy-consuming market from policy to implementation, was organised by the Office of the Steering Committee for Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). One measure discussed was promoting the use of high-efficiency energy-consuming equipment and gradually eliminating outdated technological products. Meanwhile, low-efficiency energy-consuming equipment such as storage water heaters and infrared hobs is prohibited to import, produce, and sell in Vietnam, according to a decision made in May. Dang Hai Dung, deputy chief of the Office of Sustainable Production and Consumption under the … [Read more...] about More options looked at for energy-efficiency goals
EU to offer 5 support tools to Vietnam, address IUU fishing warning soon: new ambassador
The European Union (EU) will apply five assistance tools to Vietnam’s multifaceted development plan, as well as rapidly resolve its Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing ‘yellow card’ warning against the Southeast Asian country, the new EU ambassador to Vietnam recently announced. Ambassador Julien Guerrier was speaking at his first media meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday, one day after taking office and presenting his letter of credentials to Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong. Vietnam is an important EU partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy and the EU is one of Vietnam’s most reliable and long-standing friends and partners, Guerrier affirmed. The new ambassador pledged that during his four-year term, the EU will continue to help Vietnam realize its vision of becoming a developed economy by 2045 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To that effect, the EU will provide Vietnam with five support tools, the first of which is to continue promoting the … [Read more...] about EU to offer 5 support tools to Vietnam, address IUU fishing warning soon: new ambassador
Monash University helps Vietnamese startups unlock their potential
Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Science and Technology, and Susan Elliott AM, interim president and vice-chancellor of Monash University What does it mean to Monash University to successfully host International TECHFEST 2023? We are pleased to host International TECHFEST 2023 – the first time the event has been held in Australia – as we celebrate the milestone of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia. We are delighted to collaborate with Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology and to have the opportunity to welcome the country's delegation to Monash. International TECHFEST 2023 reflects Monash University’s distinctive global footprint and commitment to international collaborations. It is a wonderful platform to strengthen relations between Monash and Vietnam, and deepen our connections with Vietnamese students, researchers, and industry leaders. Importantly, this event offers a significant opportunity to enhance the potential of the … [Read more...] about Monash University helps Vietnamese startups unlock their potential
Detailed implementation will direct success of PDP8
The latest draft plan for implementation of Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), submitted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on August 31, pointed out the vast challenges remaining despite the approval of the plan in May. Detailed implementation will direct success of PDP8, Source: Vietnam+ “For solar power projects that have been approved and assigned to an investor, the specific progress will be considered in the implementation plan PDP8. However, this request cannot yet be carried out according to the MoIT’s Institute of Energy,” noted the latest draft plan. The Institute of Energy, the unit responsible for developing plans to implement PDP8, explained that there are currently 23 solar power projects approved and assigned to investors with a total capacity of about 2,360MW. This is a much higher capacity than the 1,500MW limit currently set in the PDP8. Meanwhile, the MoIT reported that there are more than 2,000 proposed wind, solar, and small … [Read more...] about Detailed implementation will direct success of PDP8
Must see attractions of Vietnam
Hanoi (VNA) - The livable coastal city of Da Nang, the ancient town of Hoi An , and Phu Quoc island, are destinations considered by foreign experts to be must see attractions for international visitors to Vietnam. Last week, experts from the famous international travel website Travel+Leisure (USA) and The Week (UK) suggested engaging activities that tourists can experience when coming to Da Nang and Hoi An in the central region and Phu Quoc island in the southern region. 10 best things to do in Da Nang and Hoi An According to Travel+Leisure, with pristine beaches, Da Nang is gradually becoming a "magnet" attracting international tourists with luxurious coastal resorts, restaurants, bars, attractive entertainment areas, mysterious mountains and cave systems, and especially the iconic Golden Bridge, the new symbol of Da Nang. Notably, Da Nang is blessed with picture perfect nature with smooth white sand beaches and clear jade blue sea water as beautiful as a painting. … [Read more...] about Must see attractions of Vietnam
Lobster larvae increasingly smuggled into Vietnam
In Vietnam, the import of wild-caught lobster larvae is under strict control because of short supply, yet the smuggling of this in-demand shellfish remains rampant on social media, posing immeasurable risks. Many raft owners in Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province find it difficult to import official lobster larva shipments, while some online sellers offer lobster larvae in great numbers and with plenty of pricing. When buying lobster larvae becomes a gamble Despite being aware of numerous risks in quality, many consumers still go for buying lobster larvae online. "Vendors vaguely claimed that these infant lobsters hailed either from Indonesia or the Philippines,” said Le Phuong Dung, a buyer in Cam Linh Ward, Cam Ranh City. The price per lobster larva peaked at VND60,000 (US$2.46) in July and August, while each cost about VND40,000 ($1.64) at the moment, said Dung. Besides purchasing from a regular contact, she usually orders lobster larvae online as this kind of trading … [Read more...] about Lobster larvae increasingly smuggled into Vietnam
Hanoi encourages semiconductor investment
Hanoi takes a selective approach to attracting investment, prioritizing projects in high-tech, clean-tech, and environmentally friendly sectors. Hanoi will create conditions for domestic and foreign investors to develop the semiconductor industry in the city and the whole country, said Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen at the seminar "Development of Semiconductor Ecosystem and Connection for Investment in Hanoi" on September 27 in Hanoi. Delegates at the conference. Photo: The Hanoi Times He stated that the semiconductor industry is of great interest to the Government and the Prime Minister as it enhances Vietnam's participation in regional and global value chains and the development of high technology, electronics, semiconductors, financial centers and innovation. "Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encouraged US semiconductor companies to deepen and expand their investments in Vietnam at various stages, including infrastructure … [Read more...] about Hanoi encourages semiconductor investment