Vietnam news in brief - June 14

Carbon market will create motivation for green transition

A carbon market will create motivation for green transition, said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at a meeting this weekend on the establishment of a carbon market in Vietnam.

He urged the ministries and agencies to work out the necessary conditions for the formation of a carbon credit market with full policy and legal bases, and how each ministry and sector will be involved in it, and then develop a synchronized implementation roadmap.

First Vietnamese radar satellite to go into space

LOTUSat-1, Vietnam’s first homemade weather satellite, is expected to be launched into orbit in early February 2025, according to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).

Computer-rendered image of the LOTUSat-1 satellite. Photo: VAST

The 570kg satellite can take images in all weather conditions - cloudy, foggy or low light - to provide accurate information to minimize the impact of natural disasters and climate change.

Vietnam-UK collaboration in energy transition promoted

A workshop entitled 'Future Technologies for Net Zero 2050: UK and Vietnam' was held at Imperial College London (ICL) this weekend, bringing together academics, scientists and researchers from both countries.

The hybrid event aims to explore the potential of new technologies in industrial decarbonization, green hydrogen production and conversion, and battery management and storage, as well as to facilitate collaboration on solutions to the grand challenges of achieving net zero in Vietnam and the UK.

Vietnam Airlines launches non-stop flights from Hanoi to Phnom Penh

Vietnam Airlines launched direct flights from Hanoi to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 13.

The opening of direct flights to Phnom Penh will help promote economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between Vietnam and Cambodia and in the Southeast Asian region. The flights will be operated by modern Airbus A321 jets starting on October 27, 2024.
Flights from Hanoi to Phnom Penh require a stopover in Vientiane, Laos, on the airline's trans-Indochina flight.

Forestry Department and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam partner for reforestation

The Forest Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week at the Public-Private Partnership Forum for Forest Ecosystem Development in Vietnam to promote large-scale tree planting combining native species with medicinal plants. The program aims to enrich nearly 250 hectares of forest, using scientific research to improve forest management and raise community awareness.

Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange 2024

The highlight of the "Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" 2024 will be the inauguration of the Chua Cau (Japanese Bridge). This 20th iteration of the event, scheduled from August 2 to 4, is organized by Hoi An City in cooperation with the Japanese Consulate General in Danang.

With a budget of over VND20.2 billion (US$795,000), the Chua Cau restoration project aims to strengthen cultural ties and promote traditional values between Vietnam and Japan. 

Quang Tri hosts international culture and food festival

The "Taste of Sunshine Region" festival runs from July 12 to 14 in Quang Tri, featuring nearly 100 food stalls from all over Vietnam and countries such as Laos, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Italy. Held at the Cua Viet Tourist Service Area, the event celebrated the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine and the local specialties of Quang Tri.

Highlights included live cooking demonstrations, an international kite festival, and cultural performances. The festival aimed to celebrate Vietnam's culinary richness and attract tourists to Quang Tri.

Finland wins Danang Fireworks Festival 2024

The Finnish team Joho Pyro Professional Fireworks AB won the grand finale of the Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2024 on July 13, with a prize of VND508 million (US$20,000).
China's Liuyang Jingduan New-art Display Co took home second place and VND254 million (US$10,000), while France's ArtEventia and Italy's Martarello Group won the "Most Creative" and "Audience Favorite" awards, respectively. The event, themed "Made by Young Generation - Future Rhythms," featured impressive displays from teams around the world. The festival generated significant attendance, with nearly 90,000 visitors and a high hotel occupancy rate.

New VR experience for visitors to Hue Imperial Citadel

The Hue Monuments Conservation Center has launched a new virtual reality (VR) experience for tourists visiting the Hue Imperial Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

The "Dau Ho" game takes its name from a classic court game popular during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). To win, players must skillfully shoot long arrows into a jar from a certain distance, which requires extreme precision.