Spain National Fan Token Slides 20% After UEFA Euro 2024 Win

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Fan tokens are known to see anticipatory gains and post-tournament losses.

Spain is reveling in the UEFA 2024 soccer championship victory, but the national team’s official cryptocurrency, the Spain National Fan token (SNFT), is unenthused.

On Sunday, Spain defeated England in the finals of the UEFA tournament, clinching a record fourth European Championship title as England’s decade-long wait for a major tournament win continued.

Still, the SNFT token has dropped by 20% to $0.024 in the past 24 hours and had a market capitalization of $565,000 at press time, according to Coingecko. Meanwhile, leading fan tokens like the Paris Saint-Germain Fan and FC Barcelona Fan tokens traded 2% to 4% higher alongside a renewed upswing in market leader bitcoin’s price.

The national team launched the SNFT token in 2021 in partnership with the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Turkish blockchain platform Bitci. The token aims to enhance fan engagement and deliver a privileged experience for sports enthusiasts and investors.

SNFT’s price swoon likely represents a “sell the fact” loss. Prices surged just over 70% to $0.03845 in the three days leading up to the final. According to a research paper, fan tokens generally tend to experience anticipatory gains before the tournament and slide following the event. The so-called “buy the rumor, sell the fact” phenomenon was observed in the fan token market during the FIFA World Cup of 2022.

That said, researchers are divided on the impact of soccer tournaments on the market value of fan tokens.

A 2022 paper by Mieszko Mazur and Miguel Vega studied the correlation between fan tokens and field performance. The study showed that team performance does not affect fan token valuation irrespective of the tournament, and it added that these tokens tend to be volatile.

“Even though a high first-trading day return of 150% was found, in the long-term, fan tokens underperform major crypto benchmarks such as Bitcoin (BTC) and decentralized finance (DeFi) coins,” the study said.

Meanwhile, another study showed bigger tournaments like the Champions League affect fan tokens due to the broader audience and high tournament prestige compared to the regional leagues.

Ensuring Due Diligence, Quality Control and Final Inspections for Sourcing in Vietnam

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Wonder how a business ensures the best quality for a product sourced overseas? We walk you through the key stages of quality control during sourcing in Vietnam—one of the manufacturing excellence hubs in the world.

We will see the challenges of DIY QC and what perks come out when partnering with a reliable sourcing agent.

Why Quality Control Matters in Vietnam Sourcing

Skipping quality control can involve disaster. You can end up with a shipment of poorly made products that are not at all in your specifications. Delays and financial losses will follow, leaving customers unhappy.

>> Related article : The Best of ‘Made in Vietnam’ products for Sourcing

A good QC process will help mitigate these very risks by ensuring that you receive high-quality goods that represent your brand as you expect.

Steps to vetting suppliers like a pro:

This means that finding the right supplier can be critical to your business, particularly when sourcing overseas. The no-fail strategy to ensure quality in the products will be:

  • Get information about the potential suppliers with respect to their reputation and past performance. Check for online reviews, industry certifications, and references.
  • Pay a visit to a potential supplier to gauge their capabilities. Walk through the showroom and production facilities, notice the equipment, and see how products are made.
  • Meet key representatives—the CEO or the production manager—to discuss their expertise and compatibility with your needs.
  • Don’t just take the supplier’s word for it. Check references, previous work, to prove they have matched up to quality standards.

Three Pillars of Inspections:

The three pillars of quality control in Vietnam are due diligence, continuous monitoring during production, and the final inspection.

This therefore means assessing the capability of a supplier and raising any red flags before jumping into their use. This means that a buyer would have to view prior work that has been done by the supplier, have a feel of the production line of the supplier, and meet with the key personnel in the organization to get a sense of whether they understand the needs and requirements of the client.

>> Related article : How do I find the best Vietnam buying offices for SMEs?

Problems can crop up in any production process; keeping an eye on the process once in a while will help nip many problems at their very inception. Therefore, you should include a sourcing agent in your arsenal—an extra pair of eyes and ears on the ground—to oversee mock-ups, the production line, and checking of finished goods according to your specs. They will also ensure that the factory uses the fixed materials and gives priority to your order with regard to delivery.

Final inspections are a last look to ensure that everything meets your expectations before products are shipped. Detailed inspection entails the random sampling of products for functionality and aesthetic checking, together with verification that the correct quantities are present. This will also avoid unpleasant surprises upon the arrival of your shipment.

Challenges of DIY Inspections in Vietnam

Though some businesses may feel like doing QC on their own, there are indeed significant challenges that must be put into consideration:

  • Effective communication will lead to clear instructions and problem identification. The language barrier can create misconceptions, and details may get missed while communicating with Vietnamese suppliers.
  • The quality of the product often requires specialized knowledge about the type of product under scrutiny. Without such expertise, you could miss some critical flaws which may hamper functionality or safety.
  • Building good relationships with Vietnamese suppliers goes a long way toward ensuring that communication and problem-solving efficiently run. This can be a difficulty for those not accustomed to Vietnamese business culture.
  • Take out the best quality control process – very time-consuming and costly. Scheduling inspections, arranging logistics, and solving unexpected problems can all make huge demands on your time that might otherwise be better spent running your core business.

How a Sourcing Agents Can Help

Partnering with a reputable sourcing agent in Vietnam can offset such challenges and really make your QC process much smoother.

Here’s how a sourcing agent benefits you:

  • A procurement agent understands the inner working of a business and, more importantly, cultural nuances of doing business in Vietnam. He knows how to effectively communicate with the suppliers and forge strong relations, thus opening up space for smoother negotiations and fixing any issues that might arise.
  • Larger-scale sourcing agents are connected with an array of experts who have developed competence to inspect different product categories. So, you can rest assured that your products are going to receive a thorough inspection in view of their special characteristics.
  • Sourcing agents offer diversified packages for all types of businesses, from startups to large-scale business concerns. They can certainly customize their services in accordance with your needs and spending ability.

It is, hence, right to say that ensuring top quality control of products from Vietnam is a continuous process and never a one-off event.

>> Related article : How do I find the best sourcing agents in Vietnam?

Ensuring quality involves deep knowledge about the local production processes and practices, and, more importantly, exhaustive know-how about product inspection—it is about relationship building. This apparently simple act of engaging a trustworthy sourcing agent in Vietnam instantly makes available integrated local resources, knowledge, and expertise for the successful navigation of all intricacies related to QC toward a fruitful sourcing experience.

Vietnam becomes the top favorite destination for South Korean tourists

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The analysis results of travel bookings in the third quarter of this year show that Vietnam is the top preferred foreign travel destination for South Koreans, surpassing Japan.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Kyowon Tour Travel Easy Group has just announced the Overseas Travel Trends for Q3/2024 and popular travel destinations, with Vietnam surpassing Japan to become the most favored destination for South Koreans.

Specifically, in the third quarter, including the summer vacation and Chuseok holiday (Mid-Autumn Festival), Vietnam became the preferred destination for South Korean travelers of all ages, driving a high demand for bookings. Q3/2024 is also the first quarter that Vietnam has surpassed Japan with a booking rate of 13.7%, higher than Japan’s 13.2%; followed by China with 11.7%; Thailand ranking 4th (9.0%) and Mongolia (7.1%) ranking 5th.

Korean tourists explore the Golden Bridge on top of Ba Na

Due to the impact of high inflation, more customers are choosing to travel abroad during holidays or take early vacations to avoid peak season and reduce cost burdens.

During the peak season (from July 26 to August 4), short-distance travel destinations topped the rankings. Vietnam ranked first (18.2%), followed by Japan (13.0%), China (12.6%), Thailand (8.9%), and the Philippines (7.6%). The demand for travel to Vietnam increased even more significantly during the holidays.

The report from Kyowon Tour Travel Easy also predicts that during this year’s Chuseok holiday (from September 14 to 22), the demand for overseas travel will be greater than ever, as people can take up to 9 days off by combining 2 days of annual leave. As autumn approaches, the demand for Southeast Asia decreases, but Vietnam’s demand increases to 14.7%, while demand for Japan (17.0%), China (14.7%), and Europe rises sharply. A representative of Travel Easy stated: The preference for destinations in China, along with Japan and Vietnam, is expected to continue to increase.

There are many reasons why South Koreans love and choose Vietnam. Familiar destinations, seen by South Koreans as “paradise resorts,” include Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang.

In the first 6 months of 2024, there were 2.3 million South Korean visitors to Vietnam, leading the number of international tourists to our country.

@Thanhnien.vn

South Korean visitors to Da Nang in 6 months equal the entire year of 2023

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South Korea is the largest international tourist market for Da Nang, showcasing an impressive recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Da Nang has become a favorite tourist destination for many Korean tourists when coming to Vietnam. Photo: @kllmdaeun.

On July 10, the Da Nang City Department of Tourism announced that it had organized a tourism promotion program in Seoul, South Korea.

The program introduced and updated information about new and unique tourism products while creating opportunities for tourism businesses in Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Thua Thien Hue to expand and connect with partners in South Korea.

Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee, stated that Korean tourists to Da Nang showed impressive growth in the first half of the year.

“In the first six months of the year, the total number of Korean tourists staying in Da Nang reached nearly 823,000, accounting for more than 41% of the total international tourists to Da Nang. This figure has reached last year’s total of 935,000 Korean tourists in Da Nang and nearly 50% of the total number of Korean tourists in 2019, the peak period of Da Nang tourism,” Mr. Cuong said.

City leaders promote tourism in Korea.

According to city leaders, this demonstrates the love Korean tourists have for Da Nang and the attractiveness of the destination. This year, Da Nang aims to welcome 8.4 million tourists, including 2.5 million international visitors. So far, the city has already welcomed over 2 million international visitors, with South Korea being the main market.

Currently, the city has announced several new products to serve tourists: Bach Dang Walking Street and Nguyen Van Troi Pedestrian Bridge, Da Nang Beach Flower Street, a water performance show, and nightly fireworks displays.

Additionally, a series of unique international-scale events and festivals are being organized: the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, the Asian Film Festival, the Enjoy Da Nang Festival, the Vietnam-Korea Festival, the 2024 Asian Development Golf Tournament, and more.

@Znews

This island in Vietnam attracts tourists second only to the Maldives

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The 25 best islands to visit around the globe have just been announced by Travel + Leisure magazine, with the Maldives taking the number one spot and a representative from Vietnam coming in second.

Islands in the open sea always offer tourists unparalleled experiences and are often referred to as “gateways to paradise.” Pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters create a serene setting for visitors to relax and “heal.” However, the islands on the list voted by Travel + Leisure readers as the best also host a variety of exciting activities, from surfing and diving to participating in regional festivals or exploring local cuisine.

This year’s top three winning islands include two destinations that need no introduction: the Maldives (number 1) and Bali (number 3). But squeezing into the second spot is Phu Quoc Island from Vietnam.

Kem Beach in Phu Quoc with fine white sand

With a score of 94.41, Phu Quoc is recognized by Travel + Leisure as “an emerging travel destination – and that is its greatest strength. While some beaches in Southeast Asia have become developed, Phu Quoc has maintained its tranquility.” Additionally, Phu Quoc has recently hosted various artistic performances, firework displays, a new night market in Sunset Town, and notable new projects like the Kiss Bridge.

Greece, a country with over 6,000 islands, has four islands in the aforementioned list: Milos (number 4), Crete (number 6), Corfu and the Ionian Islands (number 20), and Paros (number 24). Three Italian islands – Ischia at number 11, Sicily at number 17, and Sardinia at number 21 – made the list this year. Don’t forget Thailand, with Koh Samui at number 9 and Phuket at number 16. Southeast Asia is also represented by Palawan in the Philippines (number 13).

In the Travel + Leisure 2024 World’s Best Awards survey, more than 186,000 readers completed the questionnaires. In total, over 700,000 votes were cast on more than 8,700 hotel properties, cities, tour operators…

For the island travel rankings, the criteria included: natural beaches; activities/attractions; restaurants/food; people/friendliness; value. For each characteristic, respondents could choose to rate them as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final score is the average of these responses.

@Thanhnien.vn

Binh Duong to have the largest commercial center in Vietnam

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The WTC Gateway project, with a total area of up to 168,000 square meters, is located in the heart of Binh Duong New City and is developed by Becamex IDC.

Perspective of WTC Gateway shopping center. Photo: BCM.

In Binh Duong New City, the Investment and Industrial Development Corporation (Becamex IDC) (HoSE: BCM) plans to build a second commercial center named WTC Gateway.

According to the introduction, upon completion, WTC Gateway will be the largest commercial center in Vietnam with an area of 168,000 square meters. It will include various features such as an outdoor fountain, a large square, a six-story shopping mall, a cinema, a food court, an indoor sports area, a hotel, and conference offices.

Additionally, the project will also have a central Metro station for Binh Duong New City.

Becamex IDC believes this commercial center will play a crucial role in attracting retailers, F&B services, entertainment services, and more, thereby creating a competitive business environment for enterprises. The center is expected to be operational this year.

Binh Duong New City is an investment and development area in Binh Duong, with a planned area of 1,000 hectares, accounting for 1/4 of the total area of the Binh Duong Industrial – Urban – Service Complex. Several residential and commercial projects are being implemented here.

Considering the retail market in Binh Duong, it currently hosts major systems such as Aeon, Central Retail, Mega Market, Lotte, and Saigon Co.op. Among them, Aeon Mall Binh Duong Canary in Thuan An City, opened in 2014, spans a total area of about 62,000 square meters.

Regarding the investor, Becamex IDC, of the WTC Gateway project, the company was established in 1976, later privatized, and listed BCM shares on UPCoM in 2018. By 2020, the corporation moved to list on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE).

The company is currently under the ownership of Binh Duong Province, with 95.44% of its capital owned by the Provincial People’s Committee. However, at the end of May, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai signed a decision to reduce this rate to over 65% by the end of 2025, meaning more than 30% of shares will be divested.

Becamex IDC is known as the “king” of industrial parks in Binh Duong and is also Vietnam’s leading infrastructure developer. The company currently owns and directly operates seven industrial parks with a total area of over 4,700 hectares, accounting for more than 30% of the provincial market share and ranking third in Vietnam with 3.6% of the national market share.

Annually, this giant records revenues of about 7,000-8,000 billion VND and after-tax profits ranging from 1,000-2,000 billion VND.

In the first quarter of 2024, revenue reached nearly 812 billion VND, a slight increase of 3% compared to the same period. After deducting various costs and taxes, Becamex IDC reported a net profit of 118 billion VND in the first quarter, an increase of 60%.

@Znews

Da Lat’s Historic Railway Station Officially Recognized as Tourist Destination

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Da Lat Railway Station is a unique architectural landmark in Da Lat city and holds a special place in the history of Vietnam’s railway industry. Known as the most beautiful ancient train station in Vietnam and Indochina, it reflects the rich history and development of the city.

The official recognition is expected to attract more investment in the station, leading to improved services and facilities for tourists. Currently, Da Lat Railway Station is a popular tourist spot, drawing visitors who are interested in its history and experiencing train rides.

In the first six months of 2024, over 275,000 people visited Da Lat Station, generating more than 11.4 billion VND in tourism revenue.

Staked Ether Close to All-Time High as ETF Approval Nears

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Polymarket bettors give a 90% chance that ether ETFs will be approved by July 26.

As an ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund (ETF) moves closer to reality in the U.S., the amount of ether staked is nearing a record high, keeping the circulating volume in check even though the total amount of ETH is growing again.

“The total number of staked ETH has continued to increase and sits near its all-time high as it stands at 33.3 million ETH or 27.7% of the total supply,” Julio Moreno, CryptoQuant’s head of research, wrote in a note shared with CoinDesk.

The increasing supply of the second-largest cryptocurrency is a sign it has returned to being an inflationary asset, undermining its capability to act as a store of value over time. There are ways to counter this such as staking, which locks ether for a fixed period of time, and burning – or permanently removing from circulation – a portion of the transaction fees paid by users.

“ETH supply is growing again, although slowly. But the narrative of ultra-sound money has ended. The total supply is at its highest level since December 11, 2023,” Moreno wrote.

Moreno also wrote that spot trading volume data shows ether could be as liquid as bitcon (BTC), with ETH spot trading volume being 80%-90% of that of bitcoin in the last few weeks.

Data from CoinMetrics, meanwhile, shows that around 12% of ether’s supply is being used in smart contracts or bridges that connect between blockchains. Between that amount and the tokens that are staked, roughly 40% of the cryptocurrency is “locked” and not being actively traded.

The race to launch an ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) appears to be heating up, and Polymarket bettors appear to think that they will begin trading before July 26.

Recently, Invesco and Galaxy announced they will charge a 0.25% management fee for their proposed spot ether ETFs, slightly higher than VanEck’s 0.20%.

But before trading can begin, the SEC must provide feedback on the current applications, and issuers need to file final amended forms with fee information and other required details.

Over on Kalshi, bettors are giving a 65% chance that ether will outperform bitcoin, but are 95% sure that ether won’t hit an all-time high before its larger peer.

ARG Token Doubles as Argentina Enters Copa America Final

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The Argentina Football Association’s ARG is the largest soccer fan token by trading volume, according to CoinMarketCap.

Defending champions Argentina advanced to the finals of the Copa America soccer tournament on Tuesday, more than doubling the market value of the country’s fan token, ARG.

According to data source CoinMarketCap, the price of the Argentina Football Association’s cryptocurrency has risen 107% to $2.32 since the team’s 2-0 victory over Canada, reaching its highest level since May 30, surging over 70% in the past 24 hours alone. Its market value has soared to $27.85 million, the second-highest among soccer fan tokens, but still short of the record $32.4 million reached in the lead-up to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which it also won.

ARG token is also the most heavily traded of the tokens. As of press time, its 24-hour volume stands at $23.57 million, nearly four times more than the Paris Saint-Germain fan token, which is the largest soccer token by market value.

The ARG-Turkish lira (ARG/TRY) pair listed on the centralized exchange Paribu accounted for a full 88% of the total volume of the past 24 hours. The ARG-chiliz token (ARG/CHZ) pair listed on Chiliz.net contributed just 0.17% of the global activity.

Chiliz.net is the trading platform for all the sports and entertainment tokens partnered with Chiliz ($CHZ) and Socios.com. The Argentine Football Association tapped Socios.com, a fan-engagement platform powered by the Chiliz blockchain, to issue the ARG token in 2021.

Token holders can win access to unique team activities, experiences, and VIP services, including meeting the team’s players and access to the Estadio Monumental – a football stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, known for its rich history. Fan tokens mark the intersection of blockchain and sports, allowing market participants to price in and gauge the financial and economic impact of major sporting events.

Man Caught Smuggling Over 100 Live Snakes

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Customs officers in Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city, apprehended a man attempting to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into mainland China. The incident occurred at Futian Port, a checkpoint between Hong Kong and mainland China.

During an inspection, officers discovered six canvas drawstring bags sealed with tape in the pockets of the man’s pants. Upon opening the bags, they found a total of 104 live snakes of various shapes and colors.

The five identified snake species included the milk snake, western hognose snake, corn snake, Texas rat snake, and bullsnake. Remarkably, all of these species are non-native to China, and none of them are venomous. Although the statement did not specify the exact date of the incident, it occurred “a few days ago.”

While the customs agency did not confirm whether the man was arrested, they issued a warning: “If regulations are violated, customs will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.”

Interestingly, in June, another man was arrested while attempting to smuggle 454 endangered turtles from Macau to mainland China.

5 Ways Cloud Networking Can Improve Your Business Efficiency

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5 Ways Cloud Networking Can Improve Your Business Efficiency

It’s undeniable that the corporate world is changing at a dizzying rate these days. To remain competitive, businesses must increase productivity and fully utilize cloud technologies to boost efficiency.  

Despite the global economic downturn, cloud service adoption is skyrocketing; in 2023, end-user spending is expected to surpass $590 billion. Why? Because the savings and advantages will more than cover the price of the change. As the number of hybrid workers grows, the only practical solution is to switch to cloud computing, which can boost productivity while cutting down on infrastructure, labor, and maintenance expenses. 

The anticipated greatest end-user expenditure rise in infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) indicates a move toward more adaptable and scalable solutions to support businesses’ growth mindsets. 

What is cloud networking? 

When you use cloud networking, you may access and use IT resources over the internet whenever you need them, and you only pay for what you use. You can get technology services from a cloud provider as you need them. The cloud is a great tool for businesses of all sizes and in all kinds of industries regarding data backup, email, virtual desktops, software testing, big data analytics, and customer-facing web apps. 

“Cloud networking” is a relatively new phrase that emerged in the early 2000s, while the idea of using the Internet for computer services has been around since the 1960s. A plethora of innovations in computer technology between the 1970s and the 1990s gave rise to cloud computing. Particularly in the 1990s, businesses began offering VPNs, a forerunner to the cloud networking of today.  

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into how cloud networking and networking may help businesses maximize efficiency. 

1. The information’s usability and accessibility in Cloud Networking

The term “cloud” refers to providing remote, always-on access to shared databases and related services. If you have the right credentials, you can access your data and systems from anywhere worldwide, even on a beach chair in the Bahamas. That’s a major perk of cloud networking. 

Thanks to this, you can check your work schedule while you eat breakfast or even have voice assistants like Alexa read it to you. 

2. Being an IT expert is not necessary to manage a business.

Through the use of cloud networking, your company may outsource the costly tasks of running, maintaining, and securing its gear and software to third parties. Therefore, you can redirect a substantial portion of your IT budget toward initiatives that directly contribute to expanding your company.  

You can determine the level of control and flexibility necessary to achieve your business objectives through the Shared Responsibility Model offered by all major public cloud providers.  

This includes options such as: 

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) at the hardware level, platform as a service (PaaS) for application development, and software as a service (SaaS) for the line of business or functional applications.  

These things may be provided through the cloud, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain them on-site. This frees up your IT money for other important tasks. 

For example, the sonic switch is a cutting-edge piece of hardware that can improve the management and performance of networks in cloud environments. Organizations can free up their IT departments to work on growth-driving strategic initiatives by increasing operational efficiency with the help of these solutions. 

3. Cloud Networking Makes Data More Secure 

Cloud security services may boost protection, speed up applications, and reduce downtime, which is crucial because hackers frequently target poorly set up systems that use old operating systems and software. 

Leading cloud technology providers maintain security centers to safeguard information and guarantee uninterrupted operations. Additional security is provided by these centers by: 

  • Being physically separated from staff, suppliers, and customers 
  • By implementing more stringent access controls, you can reduce the likelihood of account breaches where sensitive information is compromised. 
  • Security measures that include staff management of targets, software, storage, and inventories (including patching and replacement) to lessen exposure to risk 
  • Using data redundancy, which involves keeping duplicates of data in different places, ensures that even if a hacker manages to access one set of data, the other will still be usable. 

4. Cloud Networking Aids in Reducing Expenses

Cloud networking, as we’ve already discussed, can reduce labor expenses by increasing productivity and decreasing human error through automation. Costs associated with energy use, hardware infrastructures, upgrades, and hiring IT personnel can also be significantly reduced. 

Need No Initial Expenses  

Compared to establishing your IT infrastructure, cloud networking is far more cost-effective. Unanticipated maintenance costs are another potential cost for managing and operating in-house servers, hardware, and physical infrastructure. You won’t need to put any money down to use cloud services.  

The set cost includes all required infrastructure, maintenance, upkeep, and security services, which can be paid monthly or annually. 

Making the Most of Your Hardware 

Providers of cloud services optimize their data centers. You can use shared server and hardware resources when you move to a cloud-based architecture. You and the provider can save money because of the increased efficiency. 

To further guarantee system resilience and keep things operating in case of a system crash or failure, you’ll also need alternative hardware for your in-house configuration. More gear means more money out of pocket and more maintenance, even when unused.  

5. The financial system

Cutting operating costs whenever possible can make the overarching objective of making a profit more attainable for any firm. Monetary savings should be the primary advantage of migrating to the cloud, as cloud networking has a predictable and cost-effective business model. 

Easy scaling in both directions, no initial investment required, and flexible pricing options (per user or by bandwidth consumed) are at your fingertips. Moving to the cloud also decreases energy consumption, demands fewer IT support personnel, and eliminates the need to refresh server environments regularly. The result is more cash for your company. 

In the end! 

Franchising is a powerful tool for many companies to build on the success of their business models. Their industries utilize cloud networking to make operational standards and processes more accessible, crucial for maintaining a uniform corporate strategy. Plus, franchises are taking precautions to protect their data in case of a hardware failure or natural disaster on-site. The cloud also encourages franchisees to work together, which is excellent for developing a sense of community, exchanging ideas, and solving problems. 

Hoi An honored as the most valuable tourist destination in 2024

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According to research by The Post Office UK, the ancient town of Hoi An in Vietnam tops the list of the 10 best value travel destinations for 2024.

The article emphasizes that Hoi An, once a bustling trading port for centuries, has now become an ideal destination for many travelers thanks to the affordable prices at local restaurants and bars.

Among a total of 8 common items for tourists, Hoi An ranks highest with 3 low-cost items: beer (around $1.47), Coca-Cola (around $0.91), and sunscreen (around $4.7). These costs have helped Hoi An jump from 6th place in 2023 to the top spot in 2024.

Hoi An is continuously honored by major media sites around the world in tourism rankings. Photo: Expedia

According to The Post Office UK, Hoi An is one of the most charming cities in Vietnam. It lacks the hustle and bustle of major cities. Visitors can spend their mornings on pristine beaches, afternoons exploring historical sites, and evenings seeking out the best food at the Hoi An night market.

Moreover, Hoi An is one of the best places in the world for hotels that provide the best quality sleep, according to the UK Skyscanner 2024 Travel Trends Report.

Following Hoi An in this year’s list is Cape Town, last year’s top destination. The cost of living in the capital of South Africa has risen significantly recently. Next are Mombasa in Kenya, Tokyo in Japan, and Algarve in Portugal.

The Post Office UK ranks destinations based on factors likely to influence decisions for 2024 vacations, from exchange rates to the cost of dining and visiting famous attractions at each destination.

From there, the magazine creates a list of the best value travel destinations globally, where travelers’ money goes further thanks to cheap and reasonable costs.

@Vietnamnet

Vietnam Airlines receives the first Airbus A320neo

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The Airbus A320neo aircraft joining the Vietnam Airlines fleet is expected to provide nearly 40,000 seats during the summer peak and almost 300,000 seats in the second half of the year.

This is the first Airbus A320neo in Vietnam Airlines’ fleet. Photo: VNA.

Vietnam Airlines Corporation (HoSE: HVN) announced that it has just received the “rookie” Airbus A320neo aircraft joining its fleet.

“The presence of the Airbus A320neo is particularly significant in the context of the aviation industry facing a shortage of aircraft due to the global recall of engines by manufacturers,” a representative of Vietnam Airlines assessed.

This is the first of three Airbus A320neo aircraft that Vietnam Airlines will receive this year. The Airbus A320neo is expected to take off on domestic routes such as Hanoi – Da Lat, Hanoi – Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City – Thanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City – Chu Lai.

The Airbus A320neo aircraft joining the Vietnam Airlines fleet in 2024 is expected to contribute nearly 40,000 seats during the summer peak and almost 300,000 seats in the second half of the year.

The Airbus A320neo is a modern narrow-body aircraft equipped with new-generation engines, saving 16% of fuel, reducing noise by 75%, and cutting harmful emissions by 50% compared to previous generations of aircraft.

With 182 seats, the Airbus A320neo is fully equipped with modern amenities such as a wireless IFE entertainment system, spacious seat pitch (28-29 inches), and a maximum recline of 5 inches.

In addition to the three Airbus A320neo aircraft, Vietnam Airlines will also continue to receive Boeing 787-10 wide-body aircraft in the near future. This is one of the largest aircraft in the Boeing 787 product line and also the largest passenger aircraft in Vietnam’s aviation industry today.

At the end of June, Bamboo Airways also wet-leased an Airbus A320 from Royal Air Philippines. This is the third aircraft the airline has added to its fleet since the beginning of the year.

Currently, the total number of aircraft being operated by domestic airlines is about 160, a shortage of 60-70 aircraft compared to pre-pandemic levels.

According to statistics from Planespotter, Vietnam Airlines currently has 92 aircraft, while Vietjet Air has 85 aircraft, Bamboo Airways has 7 aircraft, and Vietravel Airlines has 3 aircraft. Pacific Airlines recently resumed operations with 3 aircraft, offering nearly 1,000 flights, corresponding to more than 180,000 seats during the peak travel season.

@Znews

2 Vietnamese bars among the best in Asia

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The Hudson Room (Hanoi) is among the Vietnamese representatives listed in the 51-100 best bars in Asia for 2024, as selected by 50 Best. The top 1-50 list will be announced on July 16.

The Hudson Room is inspired by New York in the 1920s. Photo: @hudsonroomshanoi.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 honors the best drinking establishments based on stringent criteria set by 50 Best (an organization specializing in food and beverage under the leading global media company William Reed, headquartered in the UK), with around 260 industry experts participating in the voting process.

In the 51-100 list recently announced on July 9, The Hudson Room—a New York 1920s-inspired bar located on the rooftop of the Capella Hanoi Hotel—ranked 81st out of 100, following JungleBird from Kuala Lumpur and preceding Southbank Cafe + Lounge from Muntinlupa (Philippines).

The individuals behind this accolade are Patrick Nguyen (head bartender) and Sean Halse (bar manager).

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff. We aim for exceptional experiences and drink flavors that transcend the usual boundaries of bartending,” Patrick shared.

The space inside the bar in Hanoi is in the top 100 excellent bars in Asia. Photo: @hudsonroomshanoi.

Besides serving alcoholic beverages, The Hudson Room is one of Hanoi’s rooftop restaurants and event venues.

Inspired by New York’s Grand Central Terminal, the establishment recreates the rich culinary scene of the 1920s, featuring premium French oysters, golden caviar paired with a variety of champagnes and wines.

Drinking & Healing (Ho Tung Mau) from Ho Chi Minh City is the next representative to make the list.

According to 50 Best, this bar space evokes a sense of old New York for visitors.

Additionally, Drinking & Healing uses some local ingredients to create unique stories, such as a strawberry-infused bourbon combined with sweet vermouth that reminisces about Da Lat. A cocktail here costs an average of about 9 USD, roughly 228,000 VND.

@Znews

Suspension of high-speed boat service between Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao after 2 months of operation

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Phu Quoc High-Speed Ferry Joint Stock Company has issued a notice to temporarily suspend the operation of the Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao route and vice versa from July 29 due to ineffective operations.

Tourists enjoy the wind on the Thang Long high-speed train running on the Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao route. Photo: Linh Huynh.

The Thang Long high-speed ferry running the Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao route, operated by Phu Quoc High-Speed Ferry JSC (Phu Quoc Express), with a capacity of up to 1,017 seats, has been in operation since mid-May.

After nearly two months of operation, the performance has not met expectations. Phu Quoc Express has notified partners, ticket offices, customers, and relevant authorities about the temporary suspension of the Thang Long ferry on the Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao route and vice versa from July 29 until further notice.

During this time, the Thang Long ferry will continue to operate normally on the Vung Tau – Con Dao route and vice versa according to the schedule.

Thang Long high-speed train can accommodate more than 1,000 passengers. Photo: Linh Huynh.

Previously, Mr. Vu Van Khuong, General Director of Phu Quoc Express, stated that the number of passengers on the Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao route did not meet expectations after two weeks of operation. The journey from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Saigon – Hiep Phuoc Port (Nha Be District) is still quite far, and the transfer process has many issues, reducing the route’s attractiveness. Therefore, the company has decided to suspend this route to make appropriate adjustments temporarily.

After adjustments and finding a suitable new plan, Phu Quoc Express will submit it to the authorities for consideration and arrange to resume operations on the Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao route.

@Znews

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