Solana Trading Aggregator Jupiter Sees Trading Volumes Jump Ahead of JUP Issuance

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The platform settled over $500 million in trades on Sunday, briefly becoming the biggest on-chain trading platform.

Solana-based trading aggregator Jupiter settled over $500 million in trades in the past 24 hours ahead of its planned token issuance on Wednesday, overtaking Uniswap v3 to become the biggest trading platform by that metric.

Jupiter has 550 tokens and more than 5,550 trading pairs listed, CoinGecko data shows. The USD Coin (USDC)/Solana (SOL) pair was the most active, with $166 million in volume. The platform routes orders to several Solana-based exchanges and executes the best available price for an asset when a trade is requested.

Meanwhile, the wen (WEN) memecoin issued last week by Jupiter developers chalked up about $150 million in trading volumes across two trading pairs. A claim period for wen tokens ends Monday.

Jupiter’s volumes leapfrogged Ethereum-based Uniswap’s v3, which saw $483 million in trades. Uniswap v3 is usually the biggest decentralized exchange (DEX) by volume.

Jupiter’s JUP tokens are expected to be issued on Wednesday. Nearly 1 million Solana wallets have qualified for a slice of the unusually large airdrop: 40% of JUP’s total supply, a size that reflects Jupiter’s popularity with traders.

Traders expect the tokens to boost activity on Solana, just as a Jito airdrop preceded a meme-coin frenzy on the blockchain in December. The increased demand contributed to Solana’s SOL prices nearly doubling in that month, even leading Solana’s flagship Saga phone to announce a second device on the renewed hype.

Here’s the most beautiful beach in Vietnam in the world

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Lonely Planet, the global travel guide, has recently released a list of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world that travelers should visit in 2024, including one beach in Vietnam.

There is a great diversity when it comes to beaches. Certainly, the palm-fringed shores of Thailand are stunning, but what about the wind-swept bays of Wales or the remote and secluded sandy beaches of Japan?

Whether you enjoy hiking along rugged coastlines or sunbathing on powdery white beaches beside cute gentle waves, almost all of us can appreciate a beach in one form or another. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Lonely Planet’s new book contains a massive compilation of beautiful beaches from around the world, as reported by Time Out.

Ti Top is located about 7-8 km southeast of Bai Chay tourist area, leaning against Cua Luc bay, in front is Bo Hon island, Sung Sot cave, on the right is Dam Nam island.

In the publication titled “Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches,” just released by Lonely Planet, the top 100 beaches for travelers to visit in 2024 are voted on. The voting categorizes beautiful beaches worldwide into regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South and North America, and Oceania.

Among the 14 Asian beaches in the top 100 most beautiful beaches in the world, Lonely Planet has chosen the only representative from Vietnam to be Ti Top Beach.

Ti Top Beach is located on Ti Top Island in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province. The island is named after the Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Stepanovich Titov, who visited the island in 1962.

Today, visitors can explore the island freely, accessing it by cruise ships and waterplanes.

Ti Top lies on its side with a white sand beach that hugs the entire foot of the island. This place is a beach stop for tourists on their journey to explore Ha Long Bay.

The list of the 14 most beautiful beaches in Asia includes beaches in India: Radhanagar (Swaraj Deep, Andaman Islands, Palolem, Goa)/ Papanasham (Varkala, Kerala); White Sandy (Fulhadoo Island, Northern Atolls, Maldives); two beaches in Indonesia: Pink (Padar Island, Komodo National Park)/ Diamond (Nusa Penida, Bali); two beaches in the Philippines: Pacifico (Siargao, Surigao del Norte)/ Maremegmeg (El Nido, Palawan); Secret Beach in Mirissa, Sri Lanka; three beaches in Thailand: Hat Tham Phra Nang, Railay, Krabi/ Ao Maya, Ko Phi-Phi Leh, Krabi/ Secret, Ko Kradan, Trang Islands, Trang; and finally, Sunayama Beach, Miyakojima Island, Okinawa, Japan.

@Thanhnien.vn

Opening the entire Prenn pass route before the Tet Holiday

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The Project Management Board of the provincial transportation department in Lam Dong proposes that the Provincial Department of Transport report to the Provincial People’s Committee for unified approval to open the entire Prenn Pass before the Lunar New Year in 2024.

On January 28, the Project Management Board of the provincial transportation department in Lam Dong announced that it had submitted a request to the Provincial Department of Transport to report to the Provincial People’s Committee for unified approval to open the entire Prenn Pass before the Lunar New Year in 2024.

Prenn Pass after being expanded

After inspecting the road conditions of the section from the Prenn Bridge to Dantala Waterfall under the project to upgrade and expand the Prenn Pass in Da Lat City (Lam Dong), the Project Management Board of the transportation project observed that the section from the Prenn Bridge to Dantala Waterfall has been completed, ensuring the quality of the construction in accordance with regulations and meeting safety and lighting conditions along the route as per the approved construction drawing. The remaining tasks, such as painting kilometer markers, are pending due to the lack of agreement on the painting method related to road names and a streamlined process for easy management and operation.

Prenn Pass was expanded to limit traffic congestion on holidays and New Year when many tourists come to Da Lat

The remaining items involve further enhancement of traffic safety measures. The safety and lighting conditions along the route will be ensured for the opening of the entire Prenn Pass before the Lunar New Year in 2024, with an initial operating speed of 60 km/h to meet the travel needs of residents and tourists.

As reported by Thanh Nien, the project to upgrade and expand the Prenn Pass from 2 to 4 lanes, with a total length of 7.36 km and a total investment of over VND 552 billion, was commenced on February 10, 2023.

On February 10, 2023, construction began on expanding Prenn Pass

On December 14, 2023, the section from Dantala Waterfall to the end of the route was opened. The section from the Prenn Bridge to Dantala Waterfall, with a length of 4.48 km, was temporarily opened from December 29, 2023, to January 2, 2024, to serve the New Year holiday and commemorate the 130th anniversary of the formation and development of Da Lat City.

The opening of the entire Prenn Pass before the Lunar New Year will provide convenience for local residents and tourists after a temporary closure of the pass for one year during the upgrade and expansion construction.

@Thanhnien.vn

Launching tours from Nha Trang to Chengdu – Jiuzhaigou (China)

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Recently, the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism collaborated with the Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Tourism Association and the Alliance of Travel Companies in Khanh Hoa to organize a program introducing and promoting international tours from Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) to Chengdu – Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan, China) and vice versa.

Jiuzhaigou on the first day of Autumn. Photo: A Su

In this regard, for the Nha Trang to Chengdu tour (6 days 5 nights), tourists will fly directly from Cam Ranh International Airport to Chengdu (Sichuan) on an A321 aircraft. Subsequently, tourists will explore the landscapes of Jiuzhaigou, experience snow sliding in Jiuzhaigou Valley, explore the Panda Park in Chengdu, visit the ancient city of Tung Phan, and learn about the culture and cuisine of the Tibetan ethnic group.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Phan Dinh Phung, Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, shared that Khanh Hoa possesses a coastline of over 380km and nearly 200 small and large islands, along with beautiful bays such as Van Phong, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh. In addition, the majestic mountain ranges in the western part of the province create an impressive natural landscape with great tourism potential.

Meanwhile, Sichuan (China) is a region with beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, and rich cuisine. Sichuan has long been a top destination in China, attracting many tourists for sightseeing and experiences.

Representatives of Khanh Hoa and Sichuan travel companies signed a memorandum of cooperation.

The development of direct flights between Sichuan and Khanh Hoa provinces opens up significant opportunities for the tourism industry in Khanh Hoa, Sichuan tourism, and various other potential sectors. It facilitates trade connections and is advantageous for the exchange of tourists from both sides.

In the program, representatives from the involved parties signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in promoting at least 1 tour group from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou each week (departing every Friday), starting from March to December 2024.

@SGtiepthi

Tan Son Nhat Airport opens more Green Lanes for international visitors

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Departments responsible for processing passengers entering the country, such as the Customs and Immigration Department, have increased their workforce to support the procedures for international passengers and overseas Vietnamese returning home to celebrate Tet. However, despite their efforts, it is still taking a long time for passengers to get through the airport. Mr. Tam, a passenger returning from Australia, said that it took nearly three hours to get his luggage out of the airport.

It is recorded that the number of international visitors entering Tan Son Nhat Airport has increased significantly, including a large number of overseas Vietnamese returning to Vietnam to reunite with their families during Tet. The flow of passengers is high, as is the flow of import and export goods and luggage of passengers entering and exiting the country.

Ms. Dong Thi Lan Anh, captain of the import baggage clearance team at Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch, stated that the number of passengers entering the country tends to increase rapidly in the days leading up to Tet. On January 28, for example, more than 23,050 visitors were entering the country, a significant increase compared to the number of 126 flights and 22,000 visitors per day last week. It is expected that during this year’s Tet holiday, travel demand may even surpass the peak in 2023.

To make travel more convenient for passengers, the team has opened two more Green Lane gates. Volunteers are also available to assist elderly people, pregnant women, and young children at information desks and baggage carousels. If there are too many guests, a separate check-in desk will be arranged for overseas Vietnamese. Ms. Lan Anh added that they proactively coordinate with agencies and departments to capture information about the status of flights and incoming passengers. They promptly report this information to the department’s leaders to arrange for personnel to work continuously, 24/7, to carry out customs clearance procedures for goods and luggage for passengers entering the country.

@tuoitre.vn

Nhon – Hanoi Station elevated metro section will operate commercially in June 2024

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The Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB) has reported that as of January 24, 2024, the disbursement situation for 2023 is 2,214.45/2,673.5 billion VND, which is 82.8%. The expected disbursement of the capital plan until January 31, 2024, is 2,217.58/2,673.5 billion VND, which is 82.9%. The overall progress of the pilot urban railway in Hanoi, Nhon – Hanoi station section, has reached 77.76%, with the construction progress of the elevated section at 99.65%, and the construction progress of the underground section at 37.25%. Quality and safety management have been improved, and no unsafe incidents have occurred.

The City People’s Committee has advised the Government to adjust investment policies for the Hanoi urban railway line No. 2, section Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao. On January 10, 2024, the City People’s Committee submitted the project investment policy to the Prime Minister for approval. The Board is also coordinating with localities to carry out site clearance work.

Mr. Nguyen Cao Minh, Head of MRB Hanoi, said that the MRB Hanoi will complete the test operation of the Nhon – Hanoi Station elevated section by the end of April 2024. By the end of June 2024, they will complete the system safety certification, check, and accept handover by the investor and state management agencies to hand over to the Hanoi Railway Company Limited for commercial operation.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan said that the City requires all officers, employees, and workers of MRB Hanoi to be determined, overcome all challenges, act decisively, scientifically, effectively, and actively innovate to complete the task. The Nhon – Hanoi station urban railway line needs to speed up operation and maintenance training, trial operation, and acceptance work, moving forward to put the 8.5km long elevated section into operation in June 2024.

@vtv.vn

Travel+Leisure magazine reveals the most ideal time to visit Vietnam

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Recently, the prestigious American travel magazine Travel+Leisure published an article sharing experiences of traveling in Vietnam, revealing the best and worst times to visit the S-shaped country.

For those wanting to explore Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and destinations in Central Vietnam, Travel+Leisure advises that the best time to visit is during the dry season. Melissa Matthews, the Southeast Asia and North America Regional Director of the luxury travel company Red Savannah, shared in the article that February and March are the best months to enjoy the entire country from North to South due to relatively dry weather.

She also pointed out that the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tet, falls during this time and can extend up to 10 days. Matthews mentioned, “During Tet, most of the main attractions in the city are closed because everyone goes back to their hometowns to celebrate Tet.”

The Red Savannah director also recommends exploring Vietnam’s coastal areas if traveling during the holiday season and then concluding the trip in the major cities of the country.

From September to November or in March and April, is said to be the ideal time to explore Sa Pa. Photo: Lonely Planet

Matthews further revealed that for those interested in exploring Sa Pa, the best time to visit is from September to November or in March and April.

She continued to share that a sun-filled beach trip to Hoi An or Nha Trang in Central Vietnam is ideal between April and August, while the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island in the South are warmest from October to April.

Travel+Leisure rates Vietnam as a relatively affordable destination year-round, with a variety of street food and well-equipped hotels suitable for all types of travelers.

“For the best chance to experience Vietnam and secure cheap flights and accommodation, consider traveling outside the peak season. April, May, October, and November are excellent times because you’ll still experience warm weather throughout the country, but with far fewer tourists,” recommends Travel+Leisure.

Tourists are advised to avoid peak tourist seasons to fully explore Vietnam. Photo: kkday

According to Matthews, as Vietnam’s climate is quite diverse, there is never a bad time to visit. However, tourists may want to avoid traveling during the monsoon season, as adverse weather conditions could hinder exploration plans.

Matthews suggests touring cities during the rainy season, where tourists can still visit museums and historic temples in a romantic setting. “When the monsoon winds in, the sky becomes gloomy and often rains,” she shared.

The magazine also shares the perspective of Benjamin Kreuz, the general manager of a luxury resort in Vietnam, who advises that if tourists decide to travel during the rainy season, it’s best to be flexible in their plans.

Kreuz says, “Consider not booking everything in advance due to unpredictable weather,” adding that maintaining an open-minded attitude can help travelers take advantage of potential discounts during the low season.

@Vietnamnet

3 Vietnamese cities recognized as ASEAN Clean Tourism Cities 2024

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The three cities of Vietnam, including Hue, Quy Nhon, and Vung Tau, have recently been awarded the ASEAN Clean Tourism City 2024 prize.

On the evening of January 26th, the leadership of the People’s Committee of Quy Nhon City (Binh Dinh province) confirmed that Quy Nhon is one of the three cities in Vietnam to receive the ASEAN Clean Tourism City 2024 award. This is the second time Quy Nhon has received this award, the first being on January 16, 2020, at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2020 in Brunei.

Awarding the 2024 ASEAN Clean Tourism City Award to the three cities of Hue, Quy Nhon, and Vung Tau

According to the leaders of the People’s Committee of Quy Nhon City, on the afternoon of January 26th, within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 (held from January 22 to 27 in Vientiane, Laos), the award ceremony for the ASEAN Clean Tourism City 2024 took place. This year, Vietnam has three cities receiving the award, including Quy Nhon, Hue, and Vung Tau.

The ASEAN Clean Tourism City is a prestigious award from ASEAN aimed at honoring and developing the brands of cities with high-quality tourism services. Through this, the awarded cities can promote and enhance the effectiveness of promoting tourism in Vietnam and the national destination brand “Vietnam Timeless Charm.”

Quy Nhon City has twice received the ASEAN Clean Tourism City award

To be recognized as an ASEAN Clean Tourism City, cities must meet 7 standards with 28 criteria groups, including 5 groups of criteria related to environmental management; 4 groups of criteria related to cleanliness and hygiene; 5 groups of criteria related to waste management; 3 groups of criteria related to environmental awareness and cleanliness; 2 groups of criteria related to green spaces; 4 groups of criteria related to health and urban safety; and 5 groups of criteria related to tourism infrastructure and facilities.

@Thanhnien.vn

Good news for the global tourism industry

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The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) predicts that by the end of 2024, global tourism will fully recover to pre-Covid-19 levels.

Quang Phu Cau incense village (Hanoi) attracts many tourists and is becoming a phenomenon on Instagram. Photo: Nguyen Tuan.

A newly released report by the UNWTO emphasizes the “stronger recovery of the Asian market” this year as a key factor, along with the simultaneous increase in air connectivity. This leads experts to anticipate a complete global tourism recovery by the end of 2024.

According to UNWTO estimates, in 2023, there were approximately 1.29 billion international tourists globally, reaching about 88% compared to 2019. The Middle East led the strong recovery with a 22% increase in tourist arrivals compared to four years earlier.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili affirms the tourism industry’s adaptability and rapid recovery, stating, “The latest data from UNWTO highlights the adaptability and rapid recovery of tourism, achieving pre-pandemic figures by the end of 2024.”

He highlights the significant impact of this recovery on the economy, job creation, overall growth, and opportunities for communities worldwide. Pololikashvili also underscores the essential need to promote sustainability and inclusiveness in the tourism development process.

The Madrid-based organization also highlights the expected acceleration of tourism both within and outside China in 2024, thanks to the relaxation of visa procedures and improved air capacity. This development is expected to contribute significantly to the overall recovery of the global tourism industry.

According to UNWTO, compared to 2019, tourist numbers in 2023 had recovered to 94% in Europe, 96% in Africa, and 90% in the Americas.

The corresponding figure for the Asia-Pacific region is 65%, where the Maldives and Fiji are popular destinations.

However, the recovery is slow in Northeast Asia, including Japan and China, with tourism demand recovering around 55% compared to 2019.

Government figures show that Japan welcomed 25.07 million tourists in 2023, reaching about 80% of the 2019 numbers, partly due to the weakened yen, making it an attractive destination for foreign tourists.

“There is still significant room for tourism recovery across Asia,” according to UNWTO, noting that, in addition to improvements in the Asian market, pent-up demand and increased air connectivity will help the world achieve full tourism recovery by the end of this year.

Globally, tourism revenue in 2023 reached $1.4 trillion, recovering about 93% compared to 2019.

@Znews

Coinbase Upgraded by Oppenheimer as Crypto Exchange Is ‘Stronger Than Many People Realize’

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Analyst Own Lau noted higher trading volume, the recent approval of the spot bitcoin ETFs, and a potential win in the company’s lawsuit against the SEC as the main drivers for the upgrade.

Shares of Coinbase (COIN) rose as much as 6% on Friday after investment bank Oppenheimer raised the rating of the stock to “outperform” from “perform” with a price target of $160 per share, arguing that the company is strong and its management team is tough.

“The stock was under extreme scrutiny during crypto winter. While many peers went under, COIN is still standing and fighting for its businesses and the industry. We believe the company is stronger than many people realize, and the management team is tougher than most investors think,” analyst Owen Lau wrote in a note.

The upgrade is based on multiple factors, including a “good chance” that Coinbase will win its lawsuit against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or that the court will dismiss the case.

Another driving force is the recent approval of ten spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for which Coinbase serves as a custodian for several issuers. This will not only bring the company revenue by being a key part of the infrastructure but will benefit from the new wave of investors, increasing adoption and higher trading volume, Lau said.

The upgrade comes after JPMorgan downgraded the stock earlier this week to an underweight rating, citing a disappointing bitcoin ETF catalyst.

With the current low fees for trading the ETFs – some at 0% for the first six months or until the fund reaches a certain amount of assets – investors trading on crypto exchanges could be swayed to put their money in the ETFs instead of trading on platforms such as Coinbase, but Lau doesn’t see that happening. Instead, he said that the vast majority of retail traders will likely keep their money on the exchange as it allows them to engage in other blockchain use cases.

Lau also noted the higher trading volume that Coinbase has seen since the start of the year and predicts that volume will continue to increase over the next two years as the Federal Reserve is looking to cut interest rates this year and as the industry is awaiting the bitcoin halving in April. Trading volume could increase as much as 66% year-over-year, Lau said.

Shares of Coinbase rose more than 400% last year, driven by a broader crypto market recovery after a tumultuous 2022. The stock is down more than 20% this year, underperforming the broader crypto market. The CoinDesk 20 index, a benchmark that tracks the 20 largest crypto assets, shows a decline of roughly 11% year-to-date.

However, for the year ahead, Lau sees a good chance that Coinbase could become a profitable company for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2021, as he estimates 25% growth year-over-year.

Netflix plans to increase service fees despite record high customer growth

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The figures released on January 23rd indicate that the online platform Netflix gained an additional 13.1 million new subscribers in just the fourth quarter of 2023. This surge brought the total number of paying accounts to a record high of 260.2 million.

The Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region were the top three markets leading the growth in new subscription sign-ups for Netflix in Q4 2023. Among them, the Middle East and Africa recorded the highest growth, with over 5 million new accounts opened. This region also contributed $2.78 billion to the total revenue of $8.83 billion for the company in the last quarter.

Explaining the reasons behind this growth, Netflix attributed it to recent changes in the deployment of ad-supported subscription plans at lower prices and limitations on password sharing. These are the two main factors contributing to the growth exceeding expectations. Netflix also aims to increase its profit margin to 26.2% for Q1 2024, compared to the 16.9% reported for the previous Q4 2023.

The online platform Netflix has added 13.1 million new subscribers in just the fourth quarter of 2023 (Illustration: KT)

Despite achieving a record number of subscribers, in a shareholder letter on January 23rd, Netflix mentioned that the company anticipates the possibility of increasing service fees to supplement funding for further improvement and development of services in the future. In the Vietnamese market, the standard Netflix subscription currently has an average price of 220,000 VND per month, while the basic ad-supported package is priced lower at 108,000 VND per month.

@Cafef

Dong Nai to have an aerial sightseeing experience tourism area

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The Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve has proposed a tourism development plan, including an aviation sports park featuring various aerial sightseeing experiences.

On January 25th, the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve (NCR) organized a public conference to unveil its eco-tourism, resort, and entertainment plan for the period 2021-2030.

The plan encompasses nine projects aimed at developing eco-tourism products at NCR, focusing on ecological tourism, resort tourism, culturally integrated community tourism, sports tourism, community tourism, etc.

The total investment for the project is over 991 billion VND, with 20 billion VND from the budget and the remaining 971 billion VND to be raised through investment calls.

Information conference to publicize tourism projects at Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve.

Additionally, NCR has outlined 51 tourist sites for various activities, connected across 11 locations around Ba Hao Lake, 17 sites near Trị An Lake, 3 tourist spots along the Be River, and 13 standalone tourist destinations.

Notably, a nearly 10-hectare aviation sports park is planned to offer aerial sightseeing experiences, aviation sports training, and air sports tourism.

The entire project will be implemented on a land area of over 100,000 hectares managed by NCR, including both forested and non-forested areas, primary ecosystems, and diverse biological resources, as well as natural landscapes. The target is to attract approximately 50,000 visitors and generate revenue of around 15 billion VND annually by 2025. By 2030, the goal is to attract 120,000 visitors, generate revenue of about 40 billion VND, and create jobs for nearly 1,600 workers.

A corner of Tri An lake.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hao, Director of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, emphasized that this plan serves as a crucial foundation for attracting investors to participate in the development of forest eco-tourism.

During the announcement ceremony, Mr. Hao also stated that the reserve would engage in discussions with potential investors to address any obstacles in the investment procedures and facilitate transportation connections to the reserve.

@Vietnamnet

TikTok testing 30-minute videos

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The testing of uploading a 30-minute video on TikTok marks a significant change, potentially attracting video creators who prefer longer durations.

TikTok’s initial popularity stemmed from its short video format, with a maximum duration of 15 seconds. The platform gradually increased the maximum video length, first to 1 minute, then 3 minutes, and eventually 10 minutes. In October of last year, TikTok began experimenting with limiting uploads to 15-minute videos.

In its latest move, TikTok, the globally popular short-form video platform, has tested the capability to upload 30-minute videos. This signals a notable shift away from the original short video format. This information comes from social media consultant Matt Navarra, who recently discovered that TikTok is testing the functionality of uploading videos up to 30 minutes.

According to screenshots shared by Matt Navarra, users seem to encounter a pop-up window when uploading a video, notifying them of the new maximum length. The pop-up window will contain the message “Introducing 30-minute videos – Now you can upload videos up to 30 minutes!”

TikTok’s test of uploading 30-minute videos marks a significant shift for the platform, likely to appeal to creators who prefer longer videos. (Photo: searchenginejournal)

Navarra also noted that the 30-minute video upload feature is not exclusive to iOS and may soon be rolled out to all users, including Android users.

With this information, TikTok’s intention becomes apparent: 30-minute videos aim to attract more creators interested in deeper content to TikTok, bringing more diverse works and allowing creators to share more content on the platform without dividing it into multiple parts. This move could also set the stage for introducing ads at the beginning and middle of videos, providing creators with additional revenue from advertising.

Of course, such changes may raise concerns, as many TikTok users still prefer concise entertainment content. Therefore, 30-minute videos may prompt viewers to reconsider their content preferences.

@Cafef

Vietnam – China railway to connect tracks from 2025

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The Vietnam Railways (Ministry of Transport) has announced that it is working with the China National Railway Administration to coordinate the standard gauge railway connection at Lao Cai, scheduled to be implemented from 2025.

Under this collaboration, the railway authorities of both countries will promote the development of a government-level agreement regarding the plan and standard gauge railway connection point between Lao Cai Station (Vietnam) and Hekou North Station (China).

Intermodal ships transport export goods between Vietnam and China

This will serve as the foundation for the construction of this section in 2025, preparing for the standard gauge railway line from Lao Cai to Hanoi to Haiphong, which is currently in the investment preparation phase.

Currently, the proposed investment plan for the rail link between Lao Cai and Hekou North is set for the 2021-2025 period, with an estimated total investment of over 2.206 trillion VND.

The project is expected to construct a dual-gauge railway (1,000 mm and 1,435 mm), starting from Lao Cai Station (Km294+775) on the existing 1,000 mm gauge railway line in Vietnam, with the endpoint being the midpoint of the new Hekou Bridge (China). This involves constructing a new 2.85 km dual-gauge railway section from the northern end of Lao Cai Station to the midpoint of Hekou Bridge.

China will also invest funds to build the dual-gauge railway from Hekou North Station to the new Hekou Bridge to connect with the Vietnamese railway.

Earlier, the Ministry of Transport assigned the Project Management Board for Railways to conduct a feasibility study for the standard gauge railway project from Lao Cai to Hanoi to Haiphong, and the board is currently progressing with this task.

Regarding the promotion of cross-border railway projects, the Vietnam Railways Administration stated that discussions have taken place on supporting the feasibility study for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Haiphong standard gauge railway and planning for the Dong Dang – Hanoi and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Haiphong railway lines.

Both sides have also discussed coordinating amendments to the Vietnam-China Border Railway Agreement to replace the 1992 Agreement between the Ministry of Transport & Vietnam Post and the China Railway Ministry.

The objective is to separate state management and the operations of transportation enterprises in international rail transport activities, strengthen information sharing about the organizational structure and functions of relevant agencies and railway enterprises in Vietnam. This aims to jointly study and adjust the draft agreement to align with the railway organizational structure of both countries.

@Thanhnien.vn

Vietnam Airlines leases 4 Airbus A320 aircraft to serve the Tet peak

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Four wet-leased aircraft (leased with both the aircraft and the serving personnel) will help the airline supplement nearly 1,000 flights during the peak season.

The rented Vietnam Airlines plane just arrived at Tan Son Nhat airport on the afternoon of January 25. Photo: VNA.

The first additional aircraft is scheduled to land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on the afternoon of January 25 and is expected to be put into operation by Vietnam Airlines on January 26. The remaining aircraft will be received in the early days of February.

According to the airline’s representative, these supplementary aircraft have a capacity of 180 passengers and are serviced by Vietnam Airlines’ flight attendants as well as foreign flight attendants according to the airline’s service standards, excluding the entertainment system.

Vietnam Airlines has planned to adjust the flight schedule accordingly for Airbus A320 aircraft and flexible adjustments based on passenger demand during peak times. The airline also recommends passengers to adhere to regulations regarding the number, weight, and size of luggage when flying.

Thus, based on the updated capacity as of now, the Vietnam Airlines Group (including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO) can provide a total of 2.86 million seats during the Tet peak period across the domestic and international flight network. The unit has also significantly increased the number of flights in the early morning and late night with over 1,300 flights.

Earlier, Bamboo Airways also welcomed additional Airbus A320 aircraft to join its fleet to serve the peak of the 2024 Lunar New Year. The airline plans to increase its supply capacity by 20%, with increased frequency on major routes between Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City, between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, and on local routes with high demand.

In early January, Vietjet also received an addition of 4 aircraft to serve passengers during the peak Tet Lunar New Year 2024, bringing the airline’s fleet to 103 aircraft.

@Znews

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