“We are committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions from our operations by 2030, and from our financing by 2050. We acknowledge the need to ensure that these objectives are achieved whilst supporting economic growth and prosperity across societies and thus achieving a just transition. We have been making an impact in Vietnam by providing finance to where it matters most and focusing on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) in our operations. I’m so happy that our efforts have been recognised by this prestigious accolade.” said Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Vietnam. Earlier this year, Standard Chartered Vietnam is one of the first in Vietnam to launch Green Mortgage Loan and carbon neutral debit and credit cards. These are part of a series of green products that have been and will be launched by the Bank to encourage clients to adopt a greener lifestyle and protect the environment. Standard Chartered Vietnam is also known for its support for clients as they seek to … [Read more...] about Standard Chartered named Best ESG Bank in Vietnam in 2022
Net zero emissions
Investors dump shares in panic, VN-Index drops nearly 46 points
Nearly 200 stocks hit the floor on October 3. (Photo: SGGP) After a spectacular reversal of the VN-Index in the last trading session of September 2022, the Vietnamese stock market made a non-stop drop in the first trading session of October. On the two official trading floors, nearly 200 stocks fell to the floor, causing the VN-Index to officially lose the 1,110-point mark, retreating to the bottom made in February 2021. In the context that the global stock market continued to break the bottom, the sentiment of domestic investors was pessimistic, so the VN-Index opened the trading session with a sharp decrease. Demand dropped drastically because bottom-fishing investors continued to lose money last week, so the purchasing power also plunged sharply. Investors were afraid of risk, so they just stood outside to observe. Hence, the indexes continuously plummeted because there was no support. The VN-Index fell steeply in the morning trading session when several large-cap stocks … [Read more...] about Investors dump shares in panic, VN-Index drops nearly 46 points
Vietnam win ticket to 2022 Futsal Asian Cup quarterfinals
Vietnam's futsal team enter the quarterfinals in the 2022 Futsal Asian Cup despite their defeat in the match against Japan on October 2. (Photo: AFC) Hanoi (VNA) - Despite their defeat in the match against Japan on October 2, Vietnam’s national futsal team enter the quarterfinals in the 2022 Futsal Asian Cup as it ranked second in Group D. Japanese players several times posed threat to Vietnam's net later in the first half, but goalkeepers Ho Van Y was able to stop them all. Then, Shimizu scored the second goal for Japan in the 36th minute. goalkeeper also can play as an attacker) in the remaining time but were unable to enjoy a success. The match concluded with a 2-0 win for Japan. Group D . The Vietnamese team will play Iran, who came first in Group C in the quarterfinals on October 4. The 2022 Futsal Asian Cup is taking place in Kuwait from September 27 to October 8. Sixteen teams are divided into four groups. The top two teams of each group will advance to … [Read more...] about Vietnam win ticket to 2022 Futsal Asian Cup quarterfinals
Vietnam speeds up energy transition towards green growth
Photo: Workshop discusses impacts of COP26 on energy transition towards green growth. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) - Building an appropriate and sustainable energy transition and development strategy following the country's conditions is Vietnam's most important green growth task, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An. Vietnam will develop gas-fired power plants using imported LNG at an appropriate scale; promote the development of renewable energy sources at reasonable prices in association with ensuring electricity system’s operation safety. This information was given at a conference on the impact of COP26 on the energy transition towards green growth, held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on August 17 in Hanoi. Minimising coal thermal power A representative of the MoIT said that Vietnam had experienced more than 20 consecutive years with an annual economic growth rate of 5.9-7%, including the world economic downturn period … [Read more...] about Vietnam speeds up energy transition towards green growth
The 10-year journey of “Hanoi 5,000-Dong Meal”
Charity meals at hospitals partly help poor patients in Hanoi overcome difficulties. On a Sunday in September, at a house in alley No. 13 Minh Khai Street in Hai Ba Trung District, the fire was kindled in the kitchen of the “Hanoi 5,000-Dong Meal” club as usual. Yet the commemoration of over 300 weeks of volunteer cooking was special with a small tea table and a birthday cake to celebrate the 10th anniversary, as well as a cozy, heart-touching reunion between the generations of volunteers who have been part of the club. 10 years - a heart-warming journey Members of the “Hanoi 5,000-Dong Meal” Club hand over free lunch to poor patients at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi 5,000-Dong Meal Club It was the first reunion between the generations of volunteers who have been with the “Hanoi 5,000-Dong Meal” club for different periods. Meeting again with Tran Le, owner of Hung Phuong Restaurant in Hoang Mai District, Bui Quang Long - the club founder and … [Read more...] about The 10-year journey of “Hanoi 5,000-Dong Meal”
Vietnam’s cheap labor advantage doesn’t come cheap
Four years ago, 30-year-old Ly Mi Vang traveled 2,000 km from the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang to the southern industrial hub of Binh Duong, looking for a job. Not educated, he could only get manual work. His firm, which manufactures sofas, has frequent overtime work, allowing him to earn over VND9 million ($377.12) a month. He sent VND5 million every month to his family back home. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, Vang lost his job. He and several others from his hometown managed to catch buses to return home before travel restrictions were imposed. Vang has received no financial support from the government. "I was very scared. I thought I would stay home since, but there's no job available in my hometown," he said. Vang's peers would often seek jobs at border gates, but due to Covid-19 impacts and China imposing travel restrictions at the border, those jobs were gone as well. So people looked for work in factories. Constantly vulnerable Since the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s cheap labor advantage doesn’t come cheap
Energy crisis seen posing ‘existential threat’ to climate goals
Europe's energy crisis has upended the green transition and undermined efforts keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, business leaders and environmentalists said on Monday, with one warning of an "existential threat" to climate goals. With parts of Europe facing a possible fuel shortage this winter, panelists at the Reuters IMPACT sustainability conference in London addressed the challenge of keeping the power on - sometimes by producing and using more coal - without giving up on the region's climate goals. "We're in a transformational moment," said Steve Malkin, CEO of environmental consultancy Planet Mark, noting the war in Ukraine and resulting energy crisis posed an "existential threat" to countries' sustainability goals. Prices for thermal coal, used to generate electricity, and other fossil fuels have soared, as many European countries go with less Russian gas. While coal demand had been expected to decline in the long-term, there's been a resurgence in Europe in … [Read more...] about Energy crisis seen posing ‘existential threat’ to climate goals