Currently, Hue City is developing this model on four routes: To Huu Street, Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Bui Thi Xuan Street, and the centralized administrative area of Thua Thien Hue Province. On sidewalks 6 meters wide, a 1.45-meter-wide bicycle lane will be allocated. On 11-meter-wide sidewalks, two 2.9-meter-wide bicycle lanes will be designated.
Truong Van Truong Son, from the Project Management Board of Investment and Construction of Class II Urban Development Program in Thua Thien Hue, said, “The project aims to provide safer bicycle lanes and enhance convenience and green spaces for residents.”
Construction teams are finalizing the painting and marking of these bicycle lanes in Hue’s new urban area. Residents are optimistic that the bicycle lanes will improve safety and address current infrastructure issues, particularly by making it easier for children to cycle without stopping and walking the bike.
Vietnam to Receive Billions in FDI from Korea, potentially reaching tens of billions of dollars, according to Do Nhat Hoang, Director of the Foreign Investment Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment. This announcement was made during the “Vietnam – Korea Enhanced Partnership Week 2024,” organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.
South Korea has been a leading investor in Vietnam over the past five years, with total direct investment reaching nearly $87.5 billion across more than 10,000 projects as of June 2023. Key sectors include manufacturing and processing, which account for nearly 75% of total registered capital. In the first half of 2024 alone, South Korea invested $1.4 billion in Vietnam, marking a 16% increase from the previous year.
Vietnam remains a priority partner for South Korea’s development cooperation, receiving about 20% of its total aid. Key areas for development include urban transport infrastructure, education, environment, clean energy, and IT.
Following high-level visits between the countries’ leaders in 2023, major Korean corporations have expressed intentions to invest billions more in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government aims to attract foreign investment selectively, focusing on quality, efficiency, technology, and environmental protection, prioritizing sectors like electronics, renewable energy, and high-tech agriculture.
Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 has further attracted interest from investors in renewable energy and green transition. To support this influx, Vietnam has prepared clean land, high-quality human resources, and continues to improve its investment environment and infrastructure.
Korea is also Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner, following the US and China, with expectations for increased Korean participation in major infrastructure and industry projects in Vietnam.
Recently, Phenikaa-X Joint Stock Company – a leading manufacturer of intelligent automation robot solutions (IA) “Made in Vietnam” – has officially provided smart automation robot products for Samsung Electronics Thai Nguyen Factory (SEVT). SEVT consequently has become the first Samsung Electronics factory worldwide to implement the AMR Pallet Mover robot in its operations to assist workers with heavy tasks, optimize costs, and enhance production efficiency.
Applying Intelligent Automation Robots in Operations: Aiming for Smart and Sustainable Production Development
The term “smart factory” has been frequently mentioned in the manufacturing industry in recent years. Digital transformation has opened new opportunities and driven the development of new technologies applied in smart factories such as Industry IoT, Big Data, cloud computing, and machine learning, aiming to optimize processes and resources in production management, bringing sustainable value in the future. This motivates businesses to implement many digital transformation solutions to optimize costs, enhance customer experience, and increase profits. Notably, some leading manufacturing companies globally have chosen to deploy intelligent automation robots (IA) in their factory operations.
Robot Market – Growth rate by Region (Source: Modor Intelligence)
According to Mordor Intelligence’s report, the global robot market is expected to reach approximately USD 42.59 billion by 2024 and USD 79.87 billion by 2029, with a CAGR (2024-2029) of 13.4%, with the fastest-growing market being Asia-Pacific. In Vietnam, according to Statista, the industrial robot market is expected to reach USD 309.8 million in 2024 when industrial enterprises accelerate the application of technology in general and IA robots to enhance productivity and comply with sustainable development standards. However, the journey is not just a technological issue but also about understanding businesses and providing solutions suitable for their business models.
The successful implementation of Phenikaa-X’s IA Robots at SEVT not only confirms Phenikaa-X’s robust capabilities and strong foundation in pioneering the development of advanced technology solutions “Made in Vietnam,” supporting leading manufacturing plants in improving operational efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and achieving ESG goals, but also contributes to the development of the manufacturing industry in Vietnam towards modernization and smart.
Outstanding Advantages of Phenikaa-X’s AMR Pallet Mover Robot
With exceptional research and development capabilities, Phenikaa-X has developed a range of intelligent automation robot solutions such as AGV, AMR, and many other products. Notably, Phenikaa-X has successfully developed the AMR Pallet Mover, an advanced autonomous solution that optimizes goods transportation and management processes, assisting humans in pulling, carrying, lifting, and arranging heavy loads, thereby increasing labor productivity for factories.
Phenikaa-X’s AMR Pallet Mover Robot
Customized for factories/enterprises in electronics, garment, and automotive parts manufacturing, Phenikaa-X’s AMR Pallet Mover offers a heavy load capacity of up to 1,000 kg, dynamic load sensing, speed adjustment, and acceleration capabilities based on the load’s weight. Applying the VDA5050 API standard, the AMR Pallet Mover seamlessly integrates with existing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and automation devices.
Additionally, the product is equipped with the PNKX MMG management software – specifically designed for the Vietnamese factory environment, which can help humans and robots collaborate effectively within the operational ecosystem, and optimize workflow. This management software is currently applied at SEVT’s factory.
Notably, the AMR Pallet Mover is Vietnam’s first robot designed according to the ISO 3691-4 safety standard with three layers of protection: AI camera for human and object detection, LiDAR safety sensor at PL-d level, and collision sensor. This is the highest safety standard for mobile robots, specifying requirements for design, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance to ensure safety for people and assets.
Phenikaa-X has applied the most advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, Big Data to develop smart product lines
Mr. Lê Anh Sơn, General Director of Phenikaa-X, shared: “By mastering core technology, Phenikaa-X’s robots can be customized to meet different requirements and highly integrated with previously existing systems. This is one of the company’s unique competitive advantages in the domestic market. Additionally, with the advantage of being headquartered in Vietnam, Phenikaa-X ensures continuous and effective operation of automated robot systems in factories, minimizing downtime for maintenance/issues – a key factor helping businesses optimize costs, enhance productivity, and achieve sustainable development goals.”
Having your own personal retreat is necessary at your backyard. Your backyard can be a heaven that gives you moments of privacy and relaxation, a place to host your friends, or a way of returning to nature after a week’s work. The key lies in transforming this often-overlooked space into an inviting outdoor lounge.
Whether you live in a big house with a huge backyard in the suburbs or a small flat with a modest patio in the city, these five tips will open the space to you.
Creating a Cozy Seating Area
A cozy seating area is essential for any outdoor space. This is the place to chill with company while appreciating the nature around you. When setting up seats, consider space size and layout.
If your area is small, like a balcony, go for space-saving furniture. Folded pieces let you easily use a small balcony. Yet big spaces feel inviting with sofas and recliners. Comfort and convenience depend on what best fits your outdoor area.
Transforming Your Outdoor Lounge with a Cozy Seating Area
To entirely change your outdoor lounge, do more than place a few chairs. Create an atmosphere as lovely as your living room:
Layered Comfort—Choose long-lasting, weather-proof furniture made of wicker, teak, or aluminum, which not only withstands the elements but also looks good. For an extra touch of style and relaxation, incorporate bean bags into your design—they seamlessly blend comfort with modern aesthetics. Explore the newest collections at Bean Bags R Us and transform your outdoor space into a cozy, inviting retreat.
Flexible Layouts—Modular furniture can easily be moved from a static setup to different designs. Add lightweight ottomans or poufs for extra seats or footrests.
Defining the Space – Place outdoor rugs underfoot for a soft feel. It makes concrete or wood feel like an outside room.
Personal Touches – Finally, add your flair. Showcase outdoor-safe art or include side tables for drinks and plants. A small fountain provides nice background noise, too.
With these ideas, you can design an inviting space that is as comfortable as indoors for relaxing outside.
Incorporate Multi-Level Decking or Patio
Having several levels on the floor or deck is advisable for further enhancement and partitioning of the areas in your outside relaxation zone. A slightly elevated deck will separate a sitting area from a dining area.
When making elevation changes, be sure to do so with a clear goal. A dining area one or two steps above the general floor level gives a formal touch, while a sitting area recessed a step or two below gives an informal touch. For example, for an intimate look, an idea may be to have a recessed conversation area complete with a fire pit or a water feature.
The transition between levels presents opportunities as well. Large, flat, and shallow steps can also be used for people to sit during occasions such as ceremonies. For accessibility and simplicity, install low-gradient ramps with planters on the sides.
Amp up the effect with material modifications. A concrete patio can change to a wooden deck, then to rocks or tiles for the garden path. These changes provide tactility and help you navigate between different areas in your home.
Transform your backyard into a relaxing oasis with these five outdoor lounge ideas. Start with comfortable seating, like weather-resistant sofas and hammocks, to create inviting relaxation spots. Incorporate decorative paving to define different areas, adding both style and functionality to your outdoor space.
Add Shade and Shelter
Providing shade and shelter makes your outdoor lounge comfortable to use at any time and in different weather conditions. This not only protects from hot sun and sudden rain but also adds architectural beauty.
Pergolas serve well, offering structures to hold climbing plants like wisteria or grapes. Their leaves provide natural, flowering shade above.
A pavilion or covered porch works well for a more robust shelter. Thoughtful shade and shelter upgrades let you enjoy your backyard lounge from morning through evening, come sun or passing showers. Covered structures and greenery overhead also dress up the space attractively.
Incorporate Water and Fire Features
Nothing livens up an outdoor space like the soothing sounds and mesmerizing movement of water or flames. These natural features engage the senses and create a captivating focus.
Water elements range from simple self-contained fountains to more complex ponds or waterfalls. The trickling sound provides a peaceful ambiance and can mask unwanted nearby noise. Water attracts birds and helpful bugs, filling your yard with life.
On the other hand, fire elements supply warmth and something to gather around on cooler nights. A built-in fireplace becomes a stunning architectural addition. Or a portable firepit offers flexibility. A modern gas fire table or sleek bioethanol fireplace provides other options, too.
Elemental features like water and fire engage the senses and create calmness. They become magical centerpieces for any outdoor lounge area.
Set the Mood with Lighting and Accessories
As night falls, thoughtful lighting transforms your outdoor lounge from a day retreat to a magical escape. For safety, begin with practical lights like path, step, and task lights near cooking spots.
Then, include more ambient and decorative lights. Overhead string lights lend a festive bistro feel. Table and hanging lanterns supply romantic softness. Smart lights controlled by phones offer high-tech adjustment of color and brightness, too.
Remember accessories that bring personality and comfort. Rugs define seating while feeling plush underfoot. Throw pillows and blankets elevate the coziness level. Plants—in pots, hanging or climbing walls—soften hard lines and tie your space to nature, day or night.
With these lighting and accessory touches, you craft an enchanting outdoor lounge experience after dark and during daylight hours. Creativity transforms function into a wonderland.
Closure
Adding comfort to your outdoor area is similar to placing furniture outside your compound in the backyard. It is a process of designing a place to live, work, or play in an environmentally sensitive manner that has aesthetic appeal and serves your purpose.
Applying these five ideas makes it easy to make your backyard look like a paradise you would want to be in every time. From enjoying a cup of morning coffee with the flow of the water in the background to dining in the evening under the branches of a pergola or gazing at the stars sitting by the fire, your new outdoor lounge space will soon turn into the most popular room in the house.
Pertsev sought bail to allow him to prepare for his appeal to the verdict in May which found him guilty of money laundering.
Alexey Pertsev, the co-founder and developer behind Tornado Cash, was denied bail by a Dutch court on Friday, according to DLNews.
Pertsev’s lawyers were seeking bail to allow the Russian to prepare for his appeals process but the court said “that continuing his detention does not obstruct his possibility to prepare his defense,” Keith Cheng, Pertsev’s lawyers said according to the report.
Pertsev was found guilty of money laundering by a Dutch judge at s-Hertogenbosch court in May and handed 64 month prison time by the court. The verdict sent shock waves within the community leaving several outraged. The case has been described as the most pivotal legal case in crypto.
Last month, Pertsev was denied digital facilities like a computer despite an 18 point presentation by Cheng to reflect that the case revolves around technical aspects of DeFi. Pertsev is a crucial source of knowledge for the kind of preparation that “cannot be done by a lawyer,” Cheng told DLNews.
Ameen Soleimani, Pertsev’s friend who has started JusticeDao to help coordinate the legal defense in the Tornado Cash cases, wrote on X that “even if his appeal attempt is accepted, he will have to sit in prison for the next year or so while his defense lawyers prepare for the appeal hearing.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
