Futures tracking major tokens outside of bitcoin and ether saw tens of millions in losses, led by XRP at $39 million in an unusually high move.
Crypto-tracked futures recorded over $1 billion in liquidations in the past 24 hours as bitcoin briefly nosedived from a Thursday record high above $103,000 to nearly $92,000 early Friday on profit-taking.
BTC futures recorded nearly $500 million in net liquidations, with $420 million of those stemming from longs, or bets on higher prices. ETH futures recorded a smaller $85 million in liquidations.
Liquidations occur when an exchange forcefully closes a trader’s leveraged position due to a partial or total loss of the trader’s initial margin. It happens when a trader is unable to meet the margin requirements for a leveraged position, that is, they don’t have enough funds to keep the trade open.
Over 156,000 individual traders were liquidated, and the largest single liquidation order was on crypto exchange OKX – a BTC/USD trade worth $18 million. The data shows that some 89% of all traders affected were long traders, or those that bet on higher prices.
Outside of BTC and ETH, futures tracking Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP logged a cumulative $50 million in losses — as prices reversed from a multiweek rally in both tokens that sent open interest on their futures to record highs last month.
Open interest (OI) refers to the number of active or open futures contracts at a given time. An uptick in open interest is said to represent an inflow of money
The drop caused the popular crypto fear and greed sentiment index to fall to “greed” from “extreme greed,” its lowest level in over 30 days. The index tracks volatility, prices, and social media data to indicate whether participants are fearful—usually a sign of local bottoms—or greedy, which marks market tops.
The nomination of crypto-friendly Paul Atkins as chair of the SEC provided the final boost that propelled bitcoin through the $100,000 level, the report said.
Bitcoin (BTC) reached an all-time high above $100,000 earlier this week as a number of tailwinds fueled a post-U.S.-election rally in the world’s largest cryptocurrency, Citi (C) said in a research report on Thursday.
“The nomination of digital asset-friendly Paul Atkins to chair the SEC provided the final boost,” that saw bitcoin break through $100,000 to record highs, analysts led by Alex Saunders wrote.
The cryptocurrency was trading around $98,500 at the time of publication.
Bitcoin continues to be bolstered by exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows and other buying as adoption grows, the bank noted.
The macro environment is also constructive for digital assets. Loose financial conditions and resilient growth are positive for crypto tokens, Citi said.
“Other digital assets likely have more to gain from a more permissive regulatory environment,” the authors wrote, noting that bitcoin’s dominance has fallen.
Citi said it hasn’t seen a notable rise in on-chain activity.
Over the longer term, the bank said a network’s utility or value will be linked to its usage, macro correlations and production costs.
A new, more benign regulatory system could unlock more and wider use cases for blockchain assets, the report added.
More permissive crypto policies should broaden the asset class, Citi said, but bitcoin, which has already been classified as a commodity, and has both a spot ETF and a futures contract, has less to gain than other tokens.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced the acquisition of VinBrain, Vingroup’s artificial intelligence company, as part of plans to establish a major future design center in Vietnam.
The announcement came on December 5 in Hanoi, following the signing of an agreement with the Vietnamese government to establish two AI centers.
“This is an extraordinary and innovative startup in Vietnam,” Mr. Huang said, referring to VinBrain. “With this acquisition, Nvidia now has a solid starting point for building a large-scale design center in Vietnam.”
The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Nvidia, which Mr. Huang described as a “very happy day” — the official birth of Nvidia Vietnam. However, specific details of the deal’s progress have not been disclosed.
VinBrain is recognized as a pioneering AI startup, particularly in healthcare technology. Its AI solutions are used in over 182 hospitals across Vietnam, the United States, India, Australia, and other countries, helping healthcare professionals enhance efficiency and accuracy.
As part of its expansion, Nvidia plans to establish the Vietnam Research and Development Center (VRDC) and the AI Data Center. These facilities are expected to serve as the foundation for Nvidia and its local partners to implement cutting-edge AI technologies in the country.
According to Mr. Huang, Vietnam’s data is a valuable national resource, making it an ideal time to advance AI development. Nvidia has committed to fostering the growth of Vietnam’s AI ecosystem, including supporting talent development and startup innovation.
This acquisition and partnership further cement Vietnam’s position as a key player in the global AI landscape, with Nvidia at the forefront of these advancements.
Google has officially announced the establishment of Google Vietnam, marking a significant step in its efforts to support the country’s digital transformation initiatives.
The company’s website confirms that, starting April 1, domestic advertisers will handle tax procedures through Google Vietnam Company Limited, replacing the previous arrangement with Google Asia Pacific. Additionally, partners will begin applying Vietnam’s standard 10% tax rate from March 1.
“We currently have a dedicated team of employees on site to better serve advertising clients in Vietnam and to actively support the nation’s digital transformation agenda,” said a Google representative on December 6, affirming the company’s presence in the Vietnamese market.
Marc Woo, Google’s CEO overseeing Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region, revealed that he has relocated from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City. A new office bearing the iconic Google logo has been established in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The company is also expanding its local operations, actively recruiting for roles in Google Cloud, Applications, and Games.
Vietnam is recognized by Google as a pivotal market with one of the strongest digital economies in Southeast Asia. The nation’s growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) from both users and government authorities further underscores its potential in 2024.
The e-Conomy SEA 2024 report, jointly published by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, projects that Vietnam’s gross merchandise value (GMV) will achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%, reaching $36 billion in 2024. Within this, the online media industry alone is expected to grow by 14% annually, reaching $6 billion in 2024 and $11 billion by 2030.
“Vietnam’s digital economy continues to demonstrate double-digit growth despite global economic instability,” noted Marc Woo. He highlighted the country’s thriving online media sector, which boasts the fastest growth rate in Southeast Asia. Additionally, Vietnamese developers are gaining global recognition for creating widely popular applications, further solidifying Vietnam’s influence in the global digital landscape.
With Google’s increased presence, Vietnam’s digital economy is poised for even greater advancements, driven by innovation and a growing commitment to technological progress.
Prudential Việt Nam vừa được vinh danh trong danh sách Top 500 Doanh nghiệp Lớn nhất Việt Nam và Top 50 Doanh nghiệp Xuất sắc Việt Nam, trong bảng xếp hạng VNR500. Với thứ hạng 41 tính trên toàn khối doanh nghiệp, đồng thời dẫn đầu vị trí doanh bảo hiểm nhân thọ nước ngoài tại Việt Nam, đánh giá này một lần nữa minh chứng cho sự phát triển bền vững, uy tín tài chính và cam kết đồng hành cùng khách hàng Việt Nam suốt hơn 25 năm qua của Prudential.
Năm 2024 là năm thứ 18 liên tiếp VietnamReport và Báo VietnamNet công bố bảng xếp hạng VNR500 – Top 500 Doanh Nghiệp Lớn Nhất Việt Nam và Top 50 Doanh Nghiệp Xuất Sắc Việt Nam. Prudential Việt Nam vinh dự được công nhận là Công ty Bảo Hiểm Nhân Thọ Nước Ngoài Xuất Sắc Nhất, nhờ đáp ứng các tiêu chí khắt khe về năng lực quản lý, chiến lược kinh doanh hiệu quả và khả năng cạnh tranh. Trước đó, vào tháng 10 năm 2024, Prudential cùng đạt danh hiệu Top 50 Doanh Nghiệp Có Lợi Nhuận Tốt Nhất Việt Nam nhờ vào chiến lược vận hành hiệu quả và tối ưu trong suốt năm 2024.
Ông Nguyễn Anh Tuấn – Giám đốc Kênh PruVenture đại diện Prudential Việt Nam tham dự sự kiện vinh danh do Vietnam Report tổ chức vào tháng 10/2024.
Việc Prudential nhiều năm liền lọt bảng xếp hạng không chỉ thể hiện khả năng hoạt động hiệu quả, mà còn minh chứng cho sự tin tưởng của khách hàng đối với các sản phẩm và dịch vụ của công ty. Kết quả này còn là động lực thúc đẩy Prudential tiếp tục theo đuổi mục tiêu mang lại giá trị bền vững cho khách hàng và cộng đồng, góp phần nâng cao chất lượng cuộc sống của người dân Việt Nam.
Đầu tháng 11/2024, Tập đoàn Prudential vừa cập nhật kết quả kinh doanh 3 quý đầu năm 2024 với sự tăng trưởng ổn định trong bối cảnh thị trường toàn cầu có nhiều biến động với lợi nhuận từ hoạt động khai thác mới đạt 2.347 triệu đô-la, tăng 11% so với cùng kỳ năm trước. Kết thúc Quý 3/2024, doanh thu phí bảo hiểm quy năm (APE) đạt 4.638 triệu đô-la, tăng 7% so với cùng kỳ năm trước.
In late November 2024, Prudential Vietnam Assurance Private Ltd. (“Prudential”) has been honored for the 8th consecutive time at the Vietnam Sustainable Business Awards 2024, recognizing businesses with sustainable growth and positive contributions to the community in the context of globalization.
Mr. Manish Gurbuxani, Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer at Prudential, received the certificate at the event and said: “Throughout our 25-year journey in Vietnam and 176 years globally, sustainable and responsible development has always been a core element in all our activities. Being recognized in the CSI 100 list for the 8th consecutive time by a prestigious organization like the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is a tremendous encouragement for the Prudential Vietnam team on our sustainable development journey. We will continue to adhere to this strategy and constantly self-reflect and improve to create better impacts for our customers, employees, partners, and communities in any country we operate.”
It can be seen that by adhering to ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) sustainable development standards, Prudential has consistently maintained and promoted its role as a model, responsible business through practical initiatives such as applying technological advancements in customer service, fulfilling community responsibilities, and creating a safe, progressive working environment for employees.
Mr. Manish Gurbuxani, Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer at Prudential.
In early April 2024, Prudential also launched the “PRUlink-Tương Lai Xanh” unit-linked fund with a sustainable development orientation. The fund primarily focuses on three investment areas: Climate, Health, and Improvement. Diversifying the investment portfolio, focusing on responsible and sustainable investment, clearly demonstrates Prudential’s responsible commitment to action.
After JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership) agreement was signed in 2022, the private sector has a key role to play to support the Vietnam Government in achieving the 2050 net-zero target. Prudential amongst other private financial institutions is continuously exploring how to participate in this program to support the Vietnam JETP Resource Mobilization Plan, which will enable the implementation of the JETP funding and strategy.
In terms of product solutions, Prudential is strategically investing in their Health business to close the coverage and protection gap for the Vietnamese population and to offer solutions for managing health and critical illnesses.
The Vietnam Sustainable Business Awards 2024 ceremony took place on the evening of November 29 in Hanoi with the theme “Businesses Rising in the Green Era,” marking the 9th year of the program under the Government’s direction to acknowledge and commend businesses that excel in sustainable production and business activities across comprehensive aspects: economic efficiency, corporate governance, social, and environmental.
This year, the program evaluating and announcing sustainable businesses in Vietnam (CSI) introduced several new updates in the CSI 2024 Index. Of the total 153 indicators, 62% are core indicators, and 38% are advanced indicators. With the majority being core indicators, the CSI evaluation standards this time also emphasize that ensuring compliance with legal requirements is a crucial foundation for sustainable business development.
Cuối tháng 11 vừa qua, công ty TNHH Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ Prudential Việt Nam (“Prudential”) lần thứ 8 liên tiếp được vinh danh trong khuôn khổ Lễ công bố các doanh nghiệp Bền vững Việt Nam 2024 – giải thưởng tôn vinh các doanh nghiệp tăng trưởng bền vững và có những đóng góp tích cực cho cuộc sống của cộng đồng trong bối cảnh toàn cầu hóa.
Đại diện Prudential Việt Nam nhận bằng khen tại sự kiện, ông Manish Gurbuxani – Đại diện cấp cao phụ trách Chiến lược và Chuyển đổi của Prudential chia sẻ:
“Trong suốt hành trình 25 năm qua tại Việt Nam và 176 năm toàn cầu, phát triển bền vững và có trách nhiệm luôn là yếu tố cốt lõi trong mọi hoạt động của chúng tôi. Việc được ghi nhận trong danh sách CSI 100 lần thứ 8 liên tiếp bởi 1 tổ chức uy tín như Liên đoàn Thương mại và Công nghiệp Việt Nam VCCI là sự động viên vô cùng to lớn với đội ngũ Prudential Việt Nam trên hành trình phát triển bền vững. Chúng tôi sẽ tiếp tục kiên định với chiến lược này cũng như không ngừng tự nhìn nhận và cải thiện để tạo ra những tác động tốt hơn cho khách hàng, đội ngũ nhân sự, đối tác và cộng đồng tại bất cứ quốc gia nào chúng tôi hoạt động”.
Có thể thấy, thông qua việc tuân thủ các tiêu chuẩn phát triển bền vững ESG (E-Môi trường, S-Xã hội, G-Quản trị), Prudential đã liên tục giữ vững và phát huy vai trò của một doanh nghiệp hình mẫu, có trách nhiệm thông qua các sáng kiến thiết thực như áp dụng tiến bộ công nghệ trong phục vụ khách hàng, thực hiện tốt trách nhiệm cộng đồng, xây dựng môi trường làm việc an toàn, tiến bộ cho nhân viên.
Ông Manish Gurbuxani – Đại diện cấp cao phụ trách Chiến lược và Chuyển đổi của Prudential
Đầu tháng 04/2024, Prudential cũng cho ra mắt quỹ liên kết đơn vị “PRUlink-Tương Lai Xanh” theo định hướng phát triển bền vững. Trong đó, ba lĩnh vực đầu tư chủ yếu được quỹ này hướng đến bao gồm: Khí hậu, Sức khỏe, Tiến bộ. Việc đa dạng hóa danh mục đầu tư, tập trung theo hướng đầu tư có trách nhiệm và phát triển bền vững thể hiện rõ trách nhiệm đi đôi với hành động của Prudential.
Sau khi thỏa thuận JETP (Đối tác Chuyển đổi Năng lượng Công bằng) được ký kết vào năm 2022, khối doanh nghiệp tư có vai trò quan trọng trong việc hỗ trợ Chính phủ Việt Nam đạt mục tiêu phát thải ròng bằng 0 vào năm 2050. Prudential, cùng với các tổ chức tài chính tư nhân khác, đã và đang liên tục tìm cách tham gia vào chương trình này để hỗ trợ Kế hoạch Huy động Nguồn lực JETP của Việt Nam, nhằm triển khai tài trợ và chiến lược của JETP.
Về giải pháp sản phẩm, Prudential đang đầu tư chiến lược vào mảng Chăm sóc sức khỏe nhằm thu hẹp khoảng cách bảo hiểm và bảo vệ cho người dân Việt Nam cũng như cung cấp các giải pháp quản lý sức khỏe và bệnh hiểm nghèo.
Lễ công bố các Doanh nghiệp Bền vững Việt Nam 2024 diễn ra tối ngày 29/11 tại Hà Nội với chủ đề “ Doanh nghiệp vươn mình trong Kỷ nguyên Xanh”, đánh dấu năm thứ 9 chương trình được triển khai theo sự chỉ đạo của Chính phủ nhằm ghi nhận, biểu dương các doanh nghiệp thực hiện tốt hoạt động sản xuất, kinh doanh bền vững trên các khía cạnh toàn diện: hiệu quả kinh tế – quản trị doanh nghiệp – xã hội – môi trường.
Năm nay, chương trình đánh giá, công bố doanh nghiệp bền vững tại Việt Nam (CSI) đã công bố một số điểm cập nhật mới trong Bộ chỉ số CSI 2024. Theo đó, trong tổng số 153 chỉ số, có 62% là các chỉ số tuân thủ, 38% là các chỉ số nâng cao. Với đa số là các chỉ số tuân thủ, tiêu chuẩn đánh giá của CSI lần này cũng thể hiện việc đảm bảo tuân thủ các yêu cầu pháp luật là một nền tảng quan trọng để doanh nghiệp phát triển bền vững.
BIT Mining has made a whopping $100 million worth of DOGE on its Dogecoin mining operations, per a release.
Publicly traded BIT Mining (BTCM) will continue its self-hosted mining operations for dogecoin (DOGE) and litecoin (LTC) after the endeavor reaped three times more profit than its bigger bitcoin (BTC) mining operations, per a release.
BIT Mining said it had mined 84,485.42 LTC (worth $10 million at current prices) and 227,908,250 DOGE (worth a whopping $100 million) since it started its self-mining business. It reported having over 5,500 active mining machines, representing 1.32% of the global network hash rate in LTC, DOGE and the smaller Belcoin (BEL).
Such gains on its DOGE operations came as the token’s prices have more than tripled since late September on repeated endorsements by technocrat Elon Musk and the proposal of a Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), a non-governmental department under the upcoming Trump administration.
“The recent rally in Litecoin and Dogecoin, fueled in part by Elon Musk’s influence and the changing regulatory landscape in the US after the Trump win, has had a major impact on mining profitability,” Dr. Youwei Yang, VP of Mining at BIT Mining, said in a statement. “Many analysts predict this upward trend will continue through 2025, reflecting confidence in DOGE’s potential and the broader growth of the cryptocurrency industry.”
Mining is the process by which transactions for various cryptocurrencies are verified and added to the blockchain using powerful computers to solve complex mathematical problems, which validate these transactions, in return for token rewards.
Following Bitcoin’s latest halving in April 2024, which halved the block reward for miners, many have turned to alternative strategies to maintain profitability. Some firms have repurposed mining infrastructure for AI applications, selling computational power for tasks beyond crypto mining.
The hedging activity of options market makers may ensure BTC price stability amid risks from elevated funding rates
Publicly traded BIT Mining (BTCM) will continue its self-hosted mining operations for dogecoin (DOGE) and litecoin (LTC) after the endeavor reaped three times more profit than its bigger bitcoin (BTC) mining operations, per a release.
BIT Mining said it had mined 84,485.42 LTC (worth $10 million at current prices) and 227,908,250 DOGE (worth a whopping $100 million) since it started its self-mining business. It reported having over 5,500 active mining machines, representing 1.32% of the global network hash rate in LTC, DOGE and the smaller Belcoin (BEL).
Such gains on its DOGE operations came as the token’s prices have more than tripled since late September on repeated endorsements by technocrat Elon Musk and the proposal of a Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), a non-governmental department under the upcoming Trump administration.
“The recent rally in Litecoin and Dogecoin, fueled in part by Elon Musk’s influence and the changing regulatory landscape in the US after the Trump win, has had a major impact on mining profitability,” Dr. Youwei Yang, VP of Mining at BIT Mining, said in a statement. “Many analysts predict this upward trend will continue through 2025, reflecting confidence in DOGE’s potential and the broader growth of the cryptocurrency industry.”
Mining is the process by which transactions for various cryptocurrencies are verified and added to the blockchain using powerful computers to solve complex mathematical problems, which validate these transactions, in return for token rewards.
Following Bitcoin’s latest halving in April 2024, which halved the block reward for miners, many have turned to alternative strategies to maintain profitability. Some firms have repurposed mining infrastructure for AI applications, selling computational power for tasks beyond crypto mining.
OpenAI is reportedly considering introducing ads to the free version of its widely-used ChatGPT chatbot as a way to boost revenue, despite concerns about potentially compromising user experience. Currently, ChatGPT offers both a free, ad-free version and a subscription-based “Plus” plan with enhanced features.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, OpenAI’s Chief Financial Officer, Sarah Friar, acknowledged the possibility of incorporating advertisements into the free version. While recognizing this as a viable revenue stream, she highlighted the company’s reservations, particularly given the high costs of maintaining AI server infrastructure. OpenAI, valued at over $150 billion, is estimated to have spent $5 billion this year alone on developing and training its AI models.
The consideration of ads aligns with broader efforts to sustain free services. OpenAI has already recruited advertising experts from companies like Meta and Google, hinting at plans for monetization. However, Friar emphasized that any implementation would require careful timing and strategy, suggesting that ads are unlikely to appear in the near future. CEO Sam Altman, who previously expressed strong aversion to ads, reportedly views this option as a “last resort.”
Currently, OpenAI offers its subscription service, ChatGPT Plus, for $20 per month, providing access to advanced AI models, increased messaging limits, and image generation capabilities. The company has also launched tailored plans for teams and businesses.
Earlier this year, OpenAI partnered with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into Siri, with the feature expected to debut in iOS 18.2. While Apple did not pay for the integration, it will actively promote ChatGPT Plus through the iOS Settings app. This collaboration aims to drive subscriptions when the update rolls out to iPhone and iPad users globally.
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The highlight of this event is the flower market along the Tau Hu Canal, vividly recreating the traditional Tet atmosphere of the southern river region of Vietnam.
Images of boats laden with apricot blossoms, yellow daisies, and marigolds not only evoke the festive spirit of spring but also symbolize the vibrant, bustling life of traditional Tet markets. The flower market along the Tau Hu Canal will begin operations on January 14, with the official opening ceremony of the “On the Wharf, Under the Boat” Spring Flower Market taking place at 7:00 PM on January 24, 2025. The ceremony will feature unique and captivating artistic performances.
According to the organizers, this year’s Spring Flower Market will host 689 business stalls, including 634 flower and ornamental plant stalls and 55 fruit and vegetable stalls, promising to meet the shopping and sightseeing needs of locals and tourists. Additionally, the event will feature spring-themed displays and cultural highlights, such as the Dalat Flower Space with the theme “Dalat – A Symphony of Colors” and the Vinh Long Intangible Heritage Path.
Perspective of the spring flower street of At Ty
At the Binh Dong Old House area, the Sentimental Flower Street will provide a warm and emotional setting. Meanwhile, Mr. Do Street will showcase exquisite calligraphy works to celebrate the new year. Pedestrian Bridge No. 7 will be adorned with dazzling artistic lights, including floating lotus-shaped lanterns on the Tau Hu Canal.
Beyond these activities, the Spring Flower Market will also feature an exhibition area for regional specialties and OCOP (One Commune, One Product) goods from provinces such as Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and Dalat. This space will showcase specialty foods, handicrafts, and high-quality agricultural products, reflecting the rich cultural identity of each region.
Illustration of traditional music performance on Tau Hu canal
Following the opening ceremony, which lasts until late January 27, 2025, Don Ca Tai Tu performances (Southern traditional music) will be held by artists aboard traditional boats sailing along the Tau Hu Canal. The main stage will host diverse artistic programs blending folk, ethnic, and modern music to cater to audiences of all ages.
Additionally, visitors can participate in making and cooking banh tet (Vietnamese cylindrical glutinous rice cake) and savor regional specialties, from the rich flavors of Northern Vietnam to the refined cuisine of Central Vietnam and the rustic yet diverse dishes of Southern Vietnam.
The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has officially designated the architectural heritage of Ben Thanh Market and Tran Hung Dao Temple in District 1 as city-level heritage sites.
According to the Government’s electronic newspaper, Ben Thanh Market is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s iconic landmarks, with a history closely tied to the Saigon – Cho Lon urban area.
Construction of the market began in 1912. Initially, it was located along the Ben Nghe River, where a dock allowed soldiers and locals to access Gia Dinh Citadel (Quy Citadel, Bat Quai Citadel). This location inspired the name “Ben Thanh Market.”
In the early 20th century, the French rebuilt the market at its current location between 1912 and 1914, featuring the iconic clock tower at the South Gate.
A corner of Ben Thanh market. Photo: Minh Hoang
The Tran Hung Dao Temple, built in 1932, is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s sacred spiritual sites. It was originally constructed within the large grounds of the old Van An Pagoda. By 1957, the temple underwent a significant expansion and has since been renovated multiple times. Located on Vo Thi Sau Street in District 1, the temple includes a central main gate and two smaller side gates.
In addition to these two landmarks, the People’s Committee also recognized three other sites as city-level heritage sites:
The architectural heritage of District 1’s Administrative Office Building (45-47 Le Duan Street, District 1): Built in 1876, this building is among the few early constructions that remain in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.
The architectural heritage of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department Headquarters (2 Ham Nghi Street and 21 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1): This building was designed by a renowned French architect and constructed between 1885 and 1887.
The architectural heritage of the Tomb of Mr. Tran, Binh Bo Kiem Duyet Ty, and Thua Vu Lang (Ward 11, District 3): This site has also been recognized in the city’s latest heritage designation.
According to the Railway Transport Corporation (Vietnam Railways – VNR), the company will operate 11 additional train services between Saigon, Quang Ngai, and Hanoi, providing 5,000 more seats for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
Passengers take the train. Photo: Le Anh
From Saigon Station to Hanoi Station, additional trains will operate as follows: SE12 on January 17-18; TN6 on January 18-19; SE24 on January 17. From Hanoi Station to Saigon Station, additional trains include SE11 on January 18-19; TN5 on January 20-21; and SE23 on February 15. From Saigon to Quang Ngai, an extra SE26 train will run on January 19, 2025.
For regional train services, the Hanoi-Vinh (Nghe An) route will offer tickets for NA1/NA2 trains from January 1 to February 16, 2025. The Hanoi-Lao Cai route will maintain regular SP3/SP4 and SP7/SP8 train services from January 1 to February 28, 2025.
According to Vietnam Railways, as of December 3, over 137,000 tickets for Tet (Lunar New Year) 2025 have been sold. This represents 45% of the revenue achieved for Tet 2024. Online purchases accounted for 58% of total ticket sales.
Currently, tickets for pre-Tet travel—on dates before January 21, as well as January 27-28, 2025 (equivalent to the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month and earlier, plus the 28th and 29th days of the 12th lunar month) —are still available at various stations. From January 22 to 26, 2025 (23rd to 27th days of the 12th lunar month), tickets remain abundant on routes to Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan) and Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa).
Post-Tet travel, from January 29 to February 16, 2025 (1st to 19th days of the 1st lunar month), also has ample ticket availability across all dates and destinations.
Currently, Vietnam Railways is offering numerous discounts for train passengers, including reduced fares for social policy groups, union members, and customer loyalty cardholders. A 3% discount applies to tickets for trains departing from Saigon Station on January 27, 2025 (28th day of the 12th lunar month) for journeys of 1,000 km or more. Return ticket purchases receive a 5% discount on the return leg, while students enjoy discounts ranging from 10% to 20%, depending on the travel date.
To ensure convenience when purchasing and traveling during Tet 2025, customers are advised to buy tickets via official channels such as http://www.dsvn.vn, http://www.vetau.com.vn, http://www.vetauonline.vn, directly at train stations, ticket offices, authorized agents, or through electronic wallet applications like Momo, VnPay, ZaloPay, and ViettelPay. Tickets can also be purchased via hotlines at train stations.
To verify train tickets, passengers can visit http://www.dsvn.vn, go to the “Check Tickets” section, enter the required details, and click “Check Ticket.” If the system displays “Your e-ticket is valid,” passengers can use the ticket to board the train. If “No valid e-ticket found” appears, passengers should contact the station or the hotlines at 1900 0109 (Hanoi Station) or 1900 1520 (Saigon Station) for assistance.
Residents and visitors to Dalat City (Lam Dong Province) during and after the opening day of the 10th Dalat Flower Festival in 2024 will enjoy free electric shuttle rides around Xuan Huong Lake.
On December 4, the Lam Dong Department of Transport announced that it had collaborated with electric vehicle operators in the area to provide free shuttle services for visitors around Xuan Huong Lake during the 10th Dalat Flower Festival.
Tourists will be taken by free electric car around Xuan Huong Lake during the Flower Festival (December 5 and 6).
Specifically, free electric shuttle services will operate from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on December 5 and 6 (the opening day and the day after the opening). The fleet consists of 30 electric vehicles provided by Dalat City Tour Co., Ltd., and Tinh An Tourism Service Development Investment Co., Ltd.
These vehicles will feature signage reading “VEHICLE FOR DALAT FLOWER FESTIVAL 2024 – FREE SERVICE” for easy identification by visitors.
The tour route includes a loop around the scenic Xuan Huong Lake in Dalat City, with designated stops for passenger pick-up and drop-off at key locations: the beginning of Le Thi Hong Gam Street; the intersection of Tran Quoc Toan and Le Thi Hong Gam Streets; Le Dai Hanh Street; parking areas at the Tran Nhan Tong – Tran Quoc Toan intersection; opposite Lam Vien Square; Tran Quoc Toan Night Market (near the golf course); opposite Dalat Flower Garden; and the Quan The Am Pagoda area.
Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat City
Earlier, to facilitate the 10th Dalat Flower Festival in 2024, the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee approved a restriction on vehicles with more than 29 seats from circulating on Tran Quoc Toan Street (around Xuan Huong Lake) from December 1 until the festival’s conclusion on December 31. The restriction applies daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
