Research firm 10x suggests bitcoin holders use the options strategy to enhance portfolio yield by 17%.
Bitcoin (BTC) investors looking to generate extra income in addition to their spot market holdings should consider setting a “covered strangle” options strategy, research firm 10X, which has an impeccable record of predicting market trends, said Monday.
The ‘covered strangle’ strategy involves holding the underlying asset in the spot market and simultaneously selling an out-of-the-money (OTM) call option at levels (known as strikes in options parlance) above the underlying asset’s going market rate and selling an OTM put at strikes below the underlying’s spot market price.
The premium received for selling/shorting the call option, or protecting the counterparty from price rallies, and selling the put or insurance against downtrends, represents the extra yield.
10x suggests selling a $100,000 strike call, which is 50% above BTC’s current market price, and a $50,000 strike put, both expiring in December 2024, while holding the cryptocurrency in the spot market.
“Our favorite strategy is to buy bitcoin Spot, Sell 100,000 strike call, and Sell 50,000 strike put for the December 2024 expiry. Selling the call could yield 11%, and selling the put could yield 6%,” Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, said in Monday’s client note, detailing the suggestion.
“Hence, this strategy provides us with either a 17% downside buffer or 17% more yield, depending on where BTC closes in December, plus we would capture all the upside (or downside) for bitcoin,” Thielen added.
The strategy is preferred when the market outlook is bullish, but the uptrend is expected to unfold slowly, keeping implied volatility or investors’ expectations for price turbulence low. In such conditions, options, particularly OTM call and put options, bleed value faster as expiry nears, making money for sellers.
The strategy, though appealing, is now without risks and requires a high tolerance for risk. That’s because the risk is leveraged below the level at which the put option is sold, in this case, $50,000.
“Below the lower strike price, both the long stock and short put incur losses, and, as a result, percentage losses are twice what they would be for a covered call position [buy spot = sell OTM call] alone,” Fidelity said in a ‘covered strangle” explainer.
In other words, 10x’s strategy is for those who believe bitcoin’s bull market will progress slowly and corrections, if any, will not see prices drop below $50,000. As of writing, bitcoin changed hands at $67,170, representing a 58% year-to-date gain, CoinDesk data show.
Several analysts, including Thielen and Arthur Hayes, former CEO of crypto exchange BitMEX, expect a slow grind higher.
The Nha Trang Beach Tourism Festival 2024 will take place from June 13 to 16 with the theme “Nha Trang Bay Shining Bright.”
Following the success of the Nha Trang Beach Tourism Festival in 2022, the second Nha Trang Beach Tourism Festival in 2024 aims to promote tourism products and connect tourism businesses and travel agencies. Through this, the festival contributes to the sustainable development of Nha Trang tourism in Khanh Hoa province, aiming to attract 9 million visitors and generate 40 trillion VND in revenue in 2024.
According to the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, the Nha Trang Beach Tourism Festival 2024 will feature many attractive programs and activities such as fashion shows, hip-hop dance competitions, motorbike parades, flower car parades, cyclo parades, a half marathon, the Bird’s Nest Culinary Festival, the Beer Festival, the Coffee Festival, the Mud Bath Festival, the Fruit and Regional Specialty Festival, sea games performances, a seminar on sustainable tourism development solutions, the “Hipfest Summer 2024” hip-hop dance competition, and more.
The Nha Trang Beach Tourism Festival 2024 is expected to attract more than 150,000 visitors to explore, shop for products, and experience the services at the event. This is an opportunity for organizations and businesses nationwide to promote their image, brand, and services and to connect and cooperate for future development.
Many cheap airline tickets, including zero-dollar tickets, are being offered by airlines for flights this summer.
To meet the travel demand of passengers during the summer season, airlines have started selling tickets at various low prices to serve passengers. Many see this as the golden time to buy plane tickets and prepare for an exciting holiday.
On the afternoon of May 14th, Ms. Nguyen Khanh Huyen (Hanoi) was delighted to secure a zero-dollar ticket for the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route, departing this summer. According to Ms. Huyen, her family had planned their summer vacation early, so she started looking for tickets in advance.
“When I heard that Vietjet was offering zero-dollar tickets, I was determined to watch the clock and get one. Following the news daily in ticket-hunting groups, I noticed that Vietjet frequently has promotional programs for passengers during peak summer and holiday seasons,” said Ms. Huyen.
A representative from Vietjet stated that as an airline always aiming for excellent flight experiences for passengers, Vietjet has released millions of tickets at attractive prices for the upcoming period. Not only the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route, but also the Hanoi-Da Nang, Hanoi-Nha Trang, Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh City routes, and many others are available with various attractive summer fares, even extending into the end of the year.
Many people hunt for cheap tickets early as soon as there is promotional information from the airline.
For the Hanoi-Da Nang route, if traveling in early June, passengers can buy Vietjet tickets for only 490,000 to 610,000 VND. These prices are available until October and November if purchased now.
Similarly, the Hanoi-Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang routes are being sold at prices starting from 490,000 VND, 890,000 VND, to over 1 million VND during the summer months. Vietjet is also offering many tickets ranging from 0 to 90,000 VND on routes such as Hanoi-Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, and Hue.
A survey on ticket-selling websites shows that most airlines offer many types of cheap tickets with various options suitable for the financial capability of most customers. According to the Global Trend Report provided by FCM Consulting (a multinational travel services company), airlines worldwide will continue to face high fuel costs, aircraft shortages, and high service charges at airports, leading to a forecasted global ticket price increase of 3-7% in 2024, with continued increases in the following years.
To meet the increasing demand for travel and tourism during the summer, Vietjet opens air tickets sales at low prices.
Sharing this view, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) forecasts that airline ticket prices worldwide will continue to rise in the near future. Additionally, the supply-demand imbalance may persist during peak periods.
Therefore, the zero-dollar tickets from Vietjet and the cheap tickets offered by Vietnamese airlines are significant efforts to meet passengers’ travel needs.
Mr. Tran Van Thai (Bac Ninh) believes that given the difficulties in the aviation industry, the provision of cheap tickets by airlines demonstrates their consideration and understanding of customers. “The airlines are offering low fares early, so I have already planned my vacation to buy good-priced tickets,” Mr. Thai shared.
With their ticket-selling experience, many agents also advise passengers to proactively purchase tickets as soon as the airlines release cheap tickets to secure the best fares and be ready for enjoyable trips.
After more than five months of suspending the Lien Khuong – Da Nang route (and vice versa), Vietnam Airlines (VNA) will resume this route starting June 1st.
On May 16th, Mr. Ngo Minh Tien, Deputy Manager in charge of VNA’s Da Lat branch (Lam Dong), announced that after several months of suspension, the Lien Khuong – Da Nang route will be reopened on June 1st.
From June 1, VNA reopens the Lien Khuong – Da Nang flight
According to Mr. Tien, the reopening of the Lien Khuong – Da Nang route is based on the recommendations from the leaders of Lam Dong province. After consideration, the Vietnam Airlines Corporation approved a frequency of 3 flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The scheduled departure time from Da Nang is at 3:30 PM, arriving at 4:45 PM; from Lien Khuong, departure is at 5:25 PM, arriving at 6:35 PM.
For several months, other routes between Da Lat and five localities – Da Nang, Vinh, Hai Phong, Phu Quoc, and Can Tho – have not been maintained. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee, stated that Lam Dong hopes VNA will increase domestic flights to Lien Khuong in the near future.
Additionally, Lam Dong is currently upgrading the Lien Khuong International Airport to accommodate international flights. Therefore, the province proposes that VNA increase international charter flights and enhance the promotion of Da Lat’s image on VNA’s routes, even those not connecting to Da Lat, to boost trade and tourism activities.
Recently, both Sa Pa and Ha Long of Vietnam have been included in the list of the top 5 fastest-growing tourist destinations in Asia, according to the renowned travel guide website Tripadvisor.
Sa Pa ranked 5th, while Ha Long Bay ranked 3rd on the list of the most popular Asian destinations among tourists today.
Known for its terraced rice fields on mountainsides, picturesque villages scattered around the area, stunning mountain scenery, and serene waterfalls, Sa Pa is likened to a land straight out of fairy tales.
Sa Pa and Ha Long are among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Asia. Photo: VPearl
In addition, Sa Pa attracts visitors with its diverse local culture. Tourists have the opportunity to witness local festivals and traditions, which, according to Tripadvisor, offer a deep insight into the Vietnamese way of life.
Meanwhile, Ha Long Bay is considered the perfect destination for those who wish to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Asian sea without having to endure chaotic crowds.
Tripadvisor states: “Ha Long Bay resembles a mosaic of emerald waters, hidden caves, and pristine beaches that are sure to leave visitors breathless.”
Topping the list is Tokyo, Japan, followed by Seoul, South Korea. Palawan Island in the Philippines, a charming coastal town with limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and intimate beaches, ranks 4th.
Tiếp nối các hoạt động thể thao học đường hấp dẫn, Giải Bóng rổ Festival Trường học TP.HCM – Cúp Nestlé MILO 2024 chính thức khởi tranh vào ngày 18/05 tại Nhà thi đấu Phú Thọ (Quận 11, TP.HCM), thu hút hơn 1.500 em học sinh từ 81 đội đại biểu thể thao học sinh đến từ 22 quận, huyện tham gia tranh tài.
Nằm trong khuôn khổ chương trình Năng động Việt Nam, Giải Bóng rổ Festival Trường học TP.HCM – Cúp Nestlé MILO 2024 là một trong các giải đấu hấp dẫn của sân chơi thể thao học đường. Giải đấu sẽ diễn ra liên tục từ ngày 18/05 đến ngày 09/06, do Sở Văn hóa và Thể thao Thành phố phối hợp với Sở Giáo dục và Đào tạo Thành phố, Liên đoàn Bóng rổ Thành phố HCM tổ chức với sự đồng hành trong nhiều năm liên tiếp của nhãn hàng Nestlé MILO.
Cam kết giúp thế hệ trẻ Việt Nam bền bỉ hơn, năm nay, Nestlé MILO tiếp tục đồng hành cùng mùa giải với tư cách là nhà tài trợ chính. Giải đấu sẽ là sân chơi bổ ích giúp trẻ em rèn luyện sự năng động, nâng cao sự bền bỉ và sức khỏe thể chất, xây dựng được sự tôn trọng, kỷ luật, lòng kiên nhẫn, sự kiên cường trong chiến thắng và sự học hỏi từ thất bại.
Đại diện Liên đoàn Bóng rổ TP.HCM, Ông Huỳnh Trọng Khải, Chủ tịch Liên đoàn Bóng rổ TP.HCM chia sẻ: “Giải Bóng rổ Festival Trường học TP.HCM – Cúp Nestlé MILO 2024 được định hướng phát triển dài hạn, lan tỏa tinh thần thể thao và không ngừng mở rộng về quy mô qua từng năm. Chúng tôi cũng trân trọng và đánh giá cao sự đồng hành của Nestlé MILO tại sự kiện ý nghĩa đặc biệt này, cũng như những nỗ lực của nhãn hàng nhằm phát triển các hoạt động thể thao học đường bổ ích cho trẻ em. Thông qua giải đấu, các em sẽ có cơ hội rèn luyện thể chất và xây dựng được sự bền bỉ.”
Đây cũng là điều được các mẹ tại Việt Nam đặc biệt quan tâm và ưu tiên hàng đầu. Theo khảo sát được thực hiện thông qua Kantar Việt Nam trong 400 mẹ ở Hồ Chí Minh và Hà Nội, 92% các bà mẹ muốn con bền bỉ hơn để con có đủ năng lượng hoàn thành tốt mọi hoạt động trong ngày.
Nhiều năm qua Nestlé MILO không ngừng cải tiến và phát triển sản phẩm cung cấp đầy đủ dưỡng chất hỗ trợ cho trẻ bền bỉ hơn cả về thể lực và trí lực. Một nghiên cứu lâm sàng được Viện Dinh dưỡng Quốc gia thực hiện trong năm 2022-2023 và công bố kết quả vào tháng 1 năm nay đã chứng minh việc sử dụng “Sữa lúa mạch Nestlé MILO” mỗi ngày kết hợp vận động thể chất giúp trẻ bền bỉ hơn sau 3 tháng.
Tham dự Lễ khai mạc Giải Bóng rổ Festival Trường học TP.HCM – Cúp Nestlé MILO 2024, Bà Lê Bùi Thị Mai Uyên, Giám đốc Ngành hàng MILO và Sữa, công ty Nestlé Việt Nam chia sẻ: “Nhận thức được thể thao và vận động thể chất sẽ góp phần xây dựng một thế hệ trẻ Việt Nam bền bỉ hơn, Nestlé MILO đã và đang khởi xướng hàng loạt các hoạt động, giải đấu thể thao đa dạng cho trẻ em trên khắp mọi miền đất nước, thu hút sự tham gia đông đảo của nhiều vận động viên và đoàn thể thao học sinh.
Thông qua giải đấu, Nestlé MILO mong muốn góp phần xây dựng một thế hệ trẻ Việt Nam bền bỉ, vì sự bền bỉ vô cùng quan trọng đối với trẻ em, bao gồm cả sức bền cho cơ thể và tâm trí. Một ngày dài và bận rộn với việc học và các hoạt động ngoại khóa, trẻ em cần bền bỉ để duy trì hoạt động suốt cả ngày”.
Việc đồng hành và đầu tư vào các hoạt động thể thao học đường trong khuôn khổ chương trình Năng động Việt Nam trong hơn 30 năm vừa qua như: Hội Khỏe Phù Đổng, Bóng Đá, Bóng Rổ, Bơi Lội, Vovinam,… là một trong những nỗ lực của Nestlé MILO để theo đuổi cam kết chung tay cải thiện tình trạng dinh dưỡng và phát triển một thế hệ trẻ Việt Nam năng động hơn, bền bỉ hơn mỗi ngày.
Cũng trong tháng 5 này, nhãn hàng sẽ tiếp tục đồng hành và triển khai các giải đấu thể thao học đường hấp dẫn như Vòng Chung Kết Festival Bóng Đá Học đường TPHCM năm học 2023-2024; Lễ Khai mạc hè, Ngày Olympic trẻ em & Phát động toàn dân tập luyện môn bơi phòng, chống đuối nước quy mô quốc gia năm 2024, lần lượt diễn ra vào ngày 21/5 và 26/5.
Hue, with its historic Huong River and Ngu Mountain, is adorned with flags and flowers in early May to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. Tourists and locals alike gather at Nghinh Luong Dinh wharf to admire the seven enormous lotus flowers floating serenely on the river.
The launch of giant lotus flowers
Each lotus flower measures 7.6 meters in diameter, nearly 4 meters in height, and weighs 300 kilograms. They are spaced 20 meters apart along the center of the river, creating a stunning visual tribute to Buddha’s first steps.
According to Buddhist scriptures, over 2,568 years ago in what is now Nepal, Prince Siddhartha (later Buddha Shakyamuni) took seven steps at birth. With each step, a lotus flower bloomed beneath his feet, signifying his noble path. The lotus has since become a symbol of Buddhism and is prominently featured in Buddhist rituals.
The seven lotus flowers on the Huong River symbolize peace and prayers for happiness for Vietnam. This annual tradition, initiated in 2008 after Vietnam’s first United Nations Vesak Celebration, has become a cherished part of Hue’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
Each lotus flower is equipped with its own generator, ensuring a steady light source and maintaining safety without disrupting waterway traffic.
The Thua Thien Hue Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has organized a series of activities to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, continuing until May 22. These include parades, Buddha bathing ceremonies, fish releases, and visits to families who contributed to the revolution, enriching the festive atmosphere in Hue.
Ho Chi Minh City, April 2024: KFC (27.5) has once again claimed the ‘Best F&B Brand’ title in Vietnam, according to the Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings 2024. Highlands Coffee (25.2) and Trung Nguyên Legend (21.8) secured their runner-up and third spots, respectively.
“We’re thrilled to be ranked the #1 F&B brand by Decision Lab for 2024. This reflects our commitment to quality and creating outstanding customer experiences. Thanks to our team and loyal customers, we’re excited to continue delivering the best,” Sibojyoti Chatterjee, General Director at KFC VN, commented on the ranking.
The Vietnamese F&B market is expected to boom in 2024, marked by the expansion of restaurants and coffee chains. Consumers, especially the younger generation, increasingly prioritise convenience and embrace dining out as a regular experience rather than just for special occasions. Additionally, coffee culture continues to thrive, with coffee chains becoming popular social hubs and offering a respite from daily life. The F&B scene is dynamic and adapting to the evolving preferences of Vietnamese consumers.
Decision Lab, YouGov’s exclusive partner in Vietnam, has released the Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings 2024. The rankings cover major brands in the F&B market. It reveals the top brands in terms of overall brand health and the most improved brands over the past year.
Brands are ranked based on YouGov BrandIndex’s Index Score, a measure of overall brand health calculated by taking each brand’s average Impression, Quality, Value, Satisfaction, Recommend, and Reputation score.
KFC continues to top the Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings in Vietnam, scoring 27.5 points. Its Index score places it well ahead of other popular quick-service restaurants. In 2023, KFC also secured the highest Index score (28.8), and its score has fallen by 1.3 points this year.
Highlands Coffee secures its runner-up position with a score of 25.2. Trung Nguyên Legend, which achieved an Index score of 21.8, jumps to third. Phúc Long Coffee and Tea achieves an Index score of 17.9 to come in fourth. The Korean QSR chain, Lotteria, drops two spots to fifth position, scoring 17.7.
The other brands in the top 10 are The Coffee House (16.2), McDonald’s (15.3), Jollibee (15.2), Starbucks (12.5), and Pizza Hut (11.9).
Mr Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab, commented on the rankings, “Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings 2024 indicates strong brand loyalty among Vietnamese consumers. Despite some changes in their scores, the top companies remain. The key takeaway here is the power of branding. Brands that want to grow sustainably must invest in high-quality products and services and brand reputation. This will help to build long-term brand engagement and customer loyalty.”
Top 5 Improvers: Trung Nguyen Legend is the most impressive climber
Decision Lab released the five “most improved” brands alongside the overall rankings.
Trung Nguyên Legend and Jollibee lead the improver ranking with a score increase of 3.9 and 2.5. Highlands Coffee secured its third spot, increasing by 1.5 points. Texas Chicken and Cộng Cà Phê round up the top 5. Both increased by 1 point.
Mr Luong Binh Hai, Corporate Marketing Director at Trung Nguyên Legend, commented about the ranking, “As Vietnam’s leading coffee brand, Trung Nguyen Legend, with its great aspirations and the spirit for service, through its efforts to provide excellent cups of energetic coffee and inspiring books, has created differences and recognised as the most improved brand in Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings 2024.”
Mr Lam Hong Nguyen, General Manager at Jollibee, commented about the ranking, “Jollibee is honoured to rank among Vietnam’s top F&B brands and be recognised for our significant improvement. This achievement reflects our dedication to providing delicious, high-quality food experiences that resonate with Vietnamese consumers. We’re committed to continuous innovation and growth, and we look forward to serving Vietnam for many years to come.”
Methodology
The Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings 2024 are calculated using data collected from YouGov’s online panel in Vietnam daily from the flagship YouGov BrandIndex solution.
The brands were ranked based on YouGov BrandIndex’s Index score, which measures overall brand health calculated by taking the average of Impression, Quality, Value, Satisfaction, Recommendation and Reputation.
The Index Rankings chart shows the brands with the highest Index scores between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024.
The Index Improvers chart ranks the brands with the highest increase in Index scores, comparing 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024 with the previous 12 months.
Both scores are representative of the online population of adults 18+.
All brands must have been tracked for at least six months to be included in the rankings and for at least 18 months (as well as currently being tracked) to appear in the Improvers tables.
-End-
For further information, please contact:
Vu Phuong Linh
Marketing Associate
Decision Lab
+84 947 795 693
vpl@decisionlab.co
About Decision Lab:
Decision Lab is a company committed to driving new thinking and technology in marketing with Vietnam’s most modern market research offering. Combining Decision Lab’s thought leadership and problem-crunching capability with the industry’s strongest data solutions provides a best-in-class offering for leading innovative brands ready to transform with changing market conditions.
Decision Lab is well-known for its thought leadership in digital media and the understanding of a new generation of consumers. Collaborating with innovative multinational companies and prominent international technology leaders, it has established itself as a pioneer in the industry.
Decision Lab is the exclusive partner of YouGov in Vietnam.
The cryptocurrency does not have major supply-side overhangs such as token unlocks or miner sell pressure, the report said.
Ether (ETH) has underperformed the broader crypto market this year, but its long-term positioning remains strong and it has the potential to surprise to the upside, Coinbase (COIN) said in a research report on Wednesday.
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market value has risen 29% year-to-date, less than two-thirds the surge its larger rival bitcoin (BTC) which has gained 50%. The CoinDesk 20 Index (CD20), a measure of the broader crypto market, has advanced 28%.
“Ether may have the potential to surprise to the upside in the coming months,” the report said, noting that the cryptocurrency does not have “major sources of supply side overhangs” such as token unlocks or pressure created by miners’ sales.
“To the contrary, both staking and layer 2 growth have proven to be meaningful and growing sinks of ETH Liquidity,” wrote analyst David Han. “ETH’s position as the center of decentralized finance (DeFi) is also unlikely to be displaced in our view due to the widespread adoption of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and its layer 2 innovations.”
The EVM is the Ethereum blockchain’s native processing system that allows developers to create smart contracts and lets nodes interact with them. Layer 2s are separate blockchains built on top of layer 1s, or the base layer, that reduce bottlenecks with scaling and data.
Moreover, the importance of potential spot U.S. ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) cannot be understated. “We think the market may be underestimating the timing and odds of a potential approval, which leaves room for surprises to the upside,” Coinbase said
“Even if the first deadline of May 23, 2024 encounters a rejection, we think there is a high likelihood that litigation could reverse that decision,” the note said. “In the interim, we believe the structural demand drivers for ETH as well as the technological innovations within its ecosystem will enable it to continue straddling across multiple narratives.”
Vietnam, a popular destination for Koreans, has seen many of its local dishes gain fame among foreign visitors. Alongside iced milk coffee, sugarcane juice has become a favorite.
Michelle, a Korean travel blogger, shared her love for sugarcane juice during her trip to Nha Trang. She described the juice as “moderately sweet, refreshing, and a quintessential Vietnamese drink.” Despite the humble appearance of the juice stalls, which often lack air conditioning and have sugarcane remnants scattered around, Michelle found the flavor worth it. A glass of fresh sugarcane juice costs around 10,000 VND (500 won).
Last summer, YouTuber Honveler visited Da Nang and highlighted the affordability of meals that include sugarcane juice, costing only 2,000 won (nearly 40,000 VND). His video garnered many comments from Koreans curious about the inexpensive yet delicious food in Da Nang.
The Korean version of Veyond even dubbed sugarcane juice “the drink for your soul” of Vietnam. Since sugarcane thrives only in hot and humid tropical climates, it’s a novelty in Korea. In Vietnam, sugarcane is a common crop, easily grown and highly productive, leading to numerous juice shops across the streets. Sugarcane juice can also be mixed with pineapple, kumquat, or even durian.
“The green color might look a bit scary, but sugarcane juice is sweet and enjoyable, perfect for the hot Vietnamese weather,” noted Veyond’s article.
Vietnamese cuisine, including sugarcane juice, has also made its way to Korea. In Tongbok market, Gyeonggi city, a bustling Vietnamese restaurant offers sugarcane and coconut juice. A video by The Food Club showcased the restaurant, prompting viewers to ask for its location.
A Vietnamese sugarcane juice stall at Tongbok market, Pyeongtaek city, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Photo: The Food Club
According to Yeogi Eottae, hotel bookings from Korean tourists in Vietnam tripled from June to August compared to the same period in 2023. Summer is the perfect time for tourists to enjoy Vietnamese specialties like sugarcane juice, fruit juice, and vegetable juice.
In the first 4 months of 2024, Vietnamese airlines operated 87,036 flights, according to information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
Among them, Vietnam Airlines operated 36,755 flights, VietJet Air 36,753 flights, Bamboo Airways 6,730 flights, Pacific Airlines 2,559 flights; VASCO 2,207 flights, and Vietravel 2,032 flights.
Among the flights operated by Vietnamese airlines, 20,956 flights were delayed, accounting for a rate of 24.1%. This is a relatively high rate compared to the average delay rate (taking into account all of 2023, the delay rate of Vietnamese airlines was 15.5%).
Specifically, Vietnam Airlines had 16.4% delayed flights, VietJet Air had 33.1%, Pacific Airlines had 34.2%, VASCO had 16.5%, Bamboo Airways had 18.4%, and Vietravel Airlines had 13.8% delayed flights among the total flights operated by these airlines.
Out of 66,080 flights in total, 75.9% took off on time. Among them, Vietravel Airlines had the highest on-time departure rate at 86.2%.
When Vietravel Airlines first entered the aviation market in early 2021, it often ranked low in on-time departure performance. However, since the end of 2023, the airline has gradually improved this indicator and, overall, in the first 4 months of this year, it is currently the most punctual airline in Vietnam.
Overall in the aviation industry, the rate of delayed flights surged in the first 4 months. This is attributed to the peak month of the Lunar New Year, when the aviation industry experiences increased passenger demand for travel, while also facing various challenges.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the two main reasons for delayed takeoffs in the first 4 months of 2024 are late aircraft arrivals (14.7%) and airline operational issues (6.4%).
Other reasons identified by aviation authorities include airport equipment and services, weather, management, flight operations, and other miscellaneous reasons.
Also, in the first 4 months, there were 281 canceled flights, accounting for a rate of 0.3%. The primary reasons for airlines having to cancel flights in February were operational and commercial reasons. The remaining reasons included technical issues, weather, and other reasons.
According to CNN, luxury train travel meets the demand for “slow living” and sustainable tourism of upscale travelers.
The Vietage by Anantara is a luxury train journey, connecting coastal tourist destinations in Vietnam. Photo: The Vietage by Anantara.
More and more affluent travelers are seeking to experience luxury train travel, enjoying scenic views from their windows and indulging in fine dining, CNN reports.
In Vietnam, the Anantara hotel group is tapping into this market. Launched in early 2020, The Vietage by Anantara, a luxury train journey lasting about 6 hours, connects Da Nang and Quy Nhon – one of the most beautiful railway routes in Vietnam.
Most recently, Anantara has also operated another 5-hour train journey, connecting Nha Trang and Quy Nhon.
According to Kate Jones, Head of PR and Advertising in Vietnam for Anantara, the new train journey will travel in the opposite direction (from the South to the North towards the central coastal region) to bring travelers to more beautiful natural landscapes.
The train is equipped with high-class furniture, providing a private experience for visitors. Photo: The Vietage by Anantara.
Similar to the first route, this train route also operates on the national commercial railway system, traversing the country.
“The new route passes through more coastal areas than the old journey. Vietnam has many beautiful bays and coastlines. Some mountainous areas also have vast golden rice fields. These are the main attractions on the 5-hour journey from Nha Trang to Quy Nhon,” she told CNN.
According to Anantara representatives, the tourist train moves quite slowly with an average speed of 51.9 km/h, allowing passengers to admire the seaside scenery of Vietnam.
On the new route, passengers can enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea set, including local salted fish eggs, artisanal cheese, cold cuts, and premium tea.
Meanwhile, on the old route, passengers are served a pre-booked 3-course specialty meal. In addition, light snacks, wine, cocktails, mocktails, tea, coffee, and soft drinks are served complimentary with a 15-minute head and shoulder therapy experience.
On the journey, visitors are served many regional specialties or ordered according to taste. Photo: @labase2005, The Vietage by Anantara.
On each journey, The Vietage by Anantara is equipped with a bar counter, restroom, and 6 private spaces with two seats each. Specifically, each space is equipped with power outlets, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, and a basket containing personal hygiene items such as pillows, blankets, and other essentials.
Passengers can book online on the official website of the train journey or choose through Anantara’s accommodations such as Anantara Hoi An Resort, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, or Avani Quy Nhon Resort.
Sharing more about the train routes, Ms. Jones said that many people are shifting to rail travel instead of opting for air travel.
Train journeys allow travelers to experience landscapes in a slower and more sustainable manner, as well as to have realistic views of the destinations, enjoying sights that you certainly cannot experience at 10 km altitude.
The railway sector is organizing additional train services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while implementing various ticket price promotion policies for passengers to serve the upcoming peak travel demand in summer.
The railway industry will organize more trains to serve people’s travel during the summer. Photo: Minh Hoang
According to TTXVN, the enhanced train pairs consist of SE1/SE2, SE3/SE4, SE5/SE6, SE7/SE8, SE9/SE10, and SE11/SE12. Additionally, the Hanoi – Vinh route has the NA1/NA2 train pair. The Hanoi – Dong Hoi route has the QB1/QB2 train pair. The Hanoi – Da Nang route has two pairs of trains: SE17/SE18 and SE19/SE20.
From May 17 until August 18, 2024, customers purchasing individual tickets for the SE1/SE2, SE5/SE6, SE9/SE10, and SE11/SE12 train pairs before the departure date from 20 to 39 days will receive a 5% discount on ticket prices. If customers purchase these tickets more than 40 days in advance, they will receive a 10% discount on ticket prices. The railway sector also notes that this promotion does not apply to the four-bed cabins of the SE1/SE2 train.
The railway sector will also announce the sale of tickets for the two tourist train pairs from Hue to Da Nang: HD1/HD2 and HD3/HD4. Accordingly, the ticket price for trains running on weekdays is 180,000 VND/ticket/way, while the ticket price for Saturdays and Sundays is 210,000 VND/ticket/way.
Starting from May 15, the Saigon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company will begin selling tickets for regular train services during the summer of 2024. The Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi route operates daily with trains SE1/SE2, SE3/SE4, SE5/SE6, SE7/SE8, and SE11/SE12. Train SE9/SE10 operates daily from May 22. Meanwhile, the Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang route will operate daily with train SE21/SE22.
The Ho Chi Minh City – Quy Nhon route has train SE30. The train operates on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday weekly from May 29. Train SE29 from Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City will run on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, starting from May 30.
Other routes from Ho Chi Minh City include the daily Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang route with trains SNT1/SNT2. Additionally, train SNT4 from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang will run on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday weekly from May 29. Train SNT5 from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City will run on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekly from May 30. The Ho Chi Minh City – Phan Thiet route operates daily with trains SPT1/SPT2. The Nha Trang – Da Nang route has train SE42/41 running daily, starting from May 24.
Bun cha, a signature dish of Hanoi, and meatball banh mi are among the Vietnamese dishes included in TasteAtlas’ list of the top 61 minced meat dishes in Asia.
Additionally, other Vietnamese dishes honored to be on this list by the renowned culinary website include beef in betel leaves and grilled minced pork skewers.
Bun cha is ranked 17th on the list. Originating from Hanoi, this dish consists of grilled pork patties served with fish sauce, along with rice vermicelli and fresh herbs.
International attention towards bun cha soared in 2016 when it was the dish shared by television host Anthony Bourdain and former President Barack Obama on the show “Parts Unknown.”
Bun cha is increasingly known and favored by many foreign tourists. Photo: True Delicious
In early December 2023, Michelin inspectors also released a list of the top 5 must-try dishes for tourists in Vietnam, with bun cha notably featured.
Beef in betel leaves holds the 27th position. Traditionally, this fragrant grilled beef dish is served with vermicelli, rice paper, raw vegetables, and dipping sauce.
Grilled minced pork skewers, known as nem lui, claim the 28th spot. Ground pork is wrapped around lemongrass skewers, brushed with oil, then grilled until golden and fragrant. Typically, nem lui is served with herbs and rice paper, rolled up like spring rolls, and accompanied by a dipping sauce of sweet and sour peanut sauce.
The final Vietnamese dish to make the list is meatball banh mi, ranking 46th. The meatball filling is usually made from minced pork cooked in tomato sauce. When served, the meatballs are stuffed into the baguette, accompanied by sauce, coriander, pickled radish, carrots, and sliced chili.
Adana kebap from Turkey tops the list of the best-minced meat dishes in Asia. It’s made by mixing minced lamb and tail fat with spicy red pepper and grilling on metal skewers.
Following closely are keema from India, a minced meat curry made from minced lamb or goat, and chapli kabab from Pakistan, a spicy meat patty made from minced beef or lamb.
The CME is already the top bitcoin futures exchange by open interest, while the offshore, non-regulated Binance dominates the spot market.
Futures powerhouse Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) plans to offer spot bitcoin trading to clients as demand for the product mounts among market participants, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
CME is already the top bitcoin futures exchange by open interest, while offshore, non-regulated Binance dominates the spot market.
The exchange has held discussions with traders who want to trade bitcoin on a regulated marketplace, the FT reported, citing people with direct knowledge of the talks.
CME’s spot trading business could be run through the EBS currency trading venue in Switzerland, the report added.
The exchange did not want to comment on the report.
The spot market will complement the CME’s existing standard and micro futures contracts, which are widely considered a proxy for institutional activity, and help the exchange become more dominant in the crypto market. The CME is already the top bitcoin futures exchange by open interest, while the offshore, non-regulated Binance dominates the spot market. Coinbase (COIN), the only U.S. traded crypto exchange, is No. 3 by daily trading volume.
The availability of the spot market means traders can now set up complex multi-leg strategies involving spot and futures markets in one regulated place. Carry traders are known to short CME futures against long spot market positions on other exchanges or in spot ETFs.
“Crypto exchanges might lose some business with the potential debut of a bitcoin spot market on the CME, a global derivatives giant, as the present bull run is particularly driven by institutions, who prefer to trade on regulated avenues,” Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, said.
