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| Ten offshore wind turbine towers are bound for the RoK's Jeonnam province. (Photo: VNA) |
These 10 MW towers were produced at the CS Wind Vietnam Co. Ltd.'s factory in Phu My town. Established in 2003, this facility holds the distinction of being CS Wind's first wind turbine tower manufacturing plant in the world.
This batch of turbine towers is part of a supply contract between CS Wind and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (Siemens Gamesa), under which Siemens Gamesa will equip the Jeonnam 1 offshore wind project with wind turbines.
Jeonnam 1, a joint venture between Korean conglomerate SK E&S and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), is expected to become the RoK's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm. With a capacity of 99 MW, the project aims to generate clean energy for an estimated 60,000 Korean households when it begins operation in 2024.
CIP and CS Wind already signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which CS Wind is likely to become a supplier for La Gan offshore wind project in Vietnam's south central province of Binh Thuan, as well as support other CIP projects in the country.
Stuart Livesey from CIP Vietnam also announced the publication of a handbook which updates the Vietnamese professionals about career opportunities in the offshore wind sector.
SBV to increase gold bar supply to stabilize domestic market
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| Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) |
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will increase the supply of gold bullion to handle the existing huge difference in domestic and world gold prices, SBV Deputy Governor Pham Thanh Ha told the press on April 12, reported Vietnam News Agency.
This is one of the bold solutions raised by the SBV after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked for prompt efforts to be taken to stabilise the domestic gold market, ensuring its transparent, healthy and efficient operation.
For the gold jewellery segment, the SBV will strive to ensure raw materials for production and export.
In addition, the SBV will increase cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies to ask enterprises to issue e-invoices for every transaction which will help improve transparency of the domestic gold market as well as the management efficiency, Ha said.
The supervision will also be enhanced to prevent smuggling of gold, speculation and gold price manipulation.
Inspection on the gold business of enterprises and credit institutions will be carried out this month, he stressed.
The SBV has proposed amendments to Decree 24 on gold business management towards ensuring on-track development of the domestic gold market and efficiency in management.
The domestic gold prices have increased strongly recently to set new records, widening the gap with the global prices.
SJC gold prices were listed at 82.8 million VND (3,310 USD) for buying and 84.8 million VND for selling per tael at 3pm on April 12 to set new records, an increase 900,000 VND per tael compared to the April 11 trading session.
SJC gold buying prices have increased by 17.5% and selling prices by 15.4% since the beginning of this year.
At Bao Tin Minh Chau, plain gold rings are listed at 75.78 million VND for buying and 77.68 million VND per for selling per tael, an increase by 1.3 million VND per tael over April 11 closing.
On Kitco.com, gold spot price increased 1.17% to 2,399.20 USD per tael as of 3.05pm (local time). The bullion hit an all-time high for an eighth straight session on April 9.
Bullion prices hit an all-time high for an eighth straight session on April 9 after softer-than-expected US producer prices data boosted hope for US rate cuts this year. Year on year, gold is up around 16% as central banks are stocking gold, seeing gold as a safe haven during time of economic and international turmoil.
At a recent meeting about gold market, the PM asked the SBV to promptly implement solutions effectively manage the gold market, especially handling the existing huge gaps between SJC gold prices with the world prices.
The focus will be on ensuring supply of raw materials for the production and gold bullion and jewellery and increasing the export of gold jewellery.
The PM also asked inspections to be enhanced on gold business to prevent smuggling, speculation and price manipulation. Violations must be strictly handled.
Hotel booking app reveals holiday homes trend
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| Illustrative image (Photo: Booking.com) |
A survey of various generations and demographic groups in Vietnam revealed a tapestry and variety of priorities and desires for their holiday homes, reported the Holiday Homes Outlook Report for Asia Pacific by Booking.com.
According to Vietnam News Agency, the report which surveyed 11,000 homeowners and holiday seekers across APAC, uncovered evolving trends in the short-term rental sector from seven countries across the Asia-Pacific including Vietnam, India, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China.
In particular, the report offers valuable insights into the preferences and unique home features that attract different generations of holiday home seekers from over 1,000 respondents aged 18 and above in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, for Gen X, who were born from 1965 to 1980, the allure of fair pricing and immaculate spaces is prioritised, with about half of those surveyed favouring cost-effectiveness and cleanliness in their accommodation.
Millennials, on the other hand, crave a holistic vacation experience, with about half saying they balance affordability, safety and the convenience of local attractions. With an eye for aesthetics and personal touches, they are drawn to homes that promise a unique stay - be it by the beach or nestled in the hills.
Meanwhile, Gen Z has a penchant for safety and unique homes which dictate their choices, with a notable inclination towards pet-friendly options, the novelty of tiny homes, and glamping adventures.
Across the board, all generations agree on the need for transparency and reliability in their holiday havens, with each seeking a sanctuary that resonates with their individual expectations and wanderlust.
Varun Grover, Country Head, Vietnam at Booking.com said: “In recent years, we have witnessed a growing trend and desire to stay in holiday homes, driven by the unique features that appeal to travelers. Today's travelers seek more than just a place to stay; they crave personalised experiences tailored to their individual preferences.”
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| Da Nang becomes one of the most favorite destinations of travelers |
In another report, Booking.com reveals that in an era where stress and sleep disorders are on the rise, sleep tourism has emerged as a transformative solution that fuses the allure of travel with the essential need for quality sleep.
The Booking.com’s Travel Predictions 2024 revealed that nearly two-thirds of APAC-based travellers want to travel in 2024 to solely focus on uninterrupted shut-eye. This trend is particularly strong in China where 83% of travellers seek vacations focused solely on uninterrupted sleep.
Vietnam ranked seventh out of ten with 67% of travellers wanting to seek sleep-focused retreats in 2024.
“In an ever-hectic world, sleep is fast becoming a precious commodity, with ‘sleep tourism’ a major trend as forecasted in our Travel Predictions 2024 report. With nearly 67% of Vietnamese travellers surveyed seeking sleep-focused retreats in 2024, a shift towards prioritising rest is evident. In response, resorts and hotels in Vietnam and around the world are offering amenities and services to help guests get a healthy dose of rest,” Grover said.
Da Lat, Da Nang, and Tam Dao are three destinations that Booking.com has suggested to travellers to foster relaxation and to feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
Webinar sheds lights on Vietnam-Latvia trade potential
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| The poster of the webinar. |
Trade between Vietnam and Latvia reached 311.73 million USD in 2023, an increase of 33% from 2020, the year the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect, heard a recent webinar titled “Gateway to Vietnam,” according to Vietnam News Agency.
The event was co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in Sweden and Northern Europe and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Van Tuan expressed pleasure with the coordination between relevant Vietnamese and Latvian agencies in planning the virtual seminar as well as the participation of a Latvian business delegation in the upcoming Global Sourcing Fair 2024 in Vietnam from April 24-26.
The diplomat said he is confident that the activities will enhance mutual understanding and put forth concrete measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation, bringing greater benefits to both sides.
Currently, Latvia stands as Vietnam's largest economic partner in the Baltic region, while the latter is the former’s largest trading partner in the ASEAN region. Tremendous room remains for them to team up in various fields, particularly agro-forestry-fisheries, pharmaceuticals, education, science-technology, and labour.
However, despite the potential, Vietnamese goods are not widely present in Latvian distribution channels, and there are no major warehouses or supermarkets in the Northern European nation that import and distribute Vietnamese products. The main challenges include the considerable geographic distance and the lack of direct air or sea routes between the two countries.
Tuan suggested that as a first step, Vietnamese businesses could consider establishing warehouses and representative offices in Riga – the capital of Latvia – to better understand the Baltic market demands. They should increase participation in Latvia’s trade fairs and cultural-commercial events to promote Vietnamese products, he added.
He also called for the establishment of direct flight routes and maritime routes linking Vietnam's airports and ports to those in Latvia and the Baltic region./.