Recently, the renowned American travel guide Lonely Planet has provided suggestions on the 10 most beautiful beaches in Vietnam for foreign travelers to explore and experience.
Lonely Planet’s editors remarked that although Vietnam may not be as well-known for its beaches as some neighboring Southeast Asian countries, its 3400km-long coastline makes the “S-shaped land” more deserving of attention.
Vietnam boasts stunning beaches that rival those in the region. The globally acclaimed travel guide praises An Bang Beach in Hoi An as one of the most intriguing and attractive beaches in the country, with its smooth stretch of sand extending beautifully along the vast horizon.
An Bang Beach in Hoi An is highly praised by Lonely Planet. Photo: BestPrice Travel
Surrounded by white sandy beaches and expansive islands covered with lush tropical forests, Phu Quoc has rapidly transformed from a quiet island into an unmissable beach resort for both foreign and domestic tourists.
According to the article’s author, forming a grand and magnificent crescent, Nha Trang’s 6km-long golden sand beach is the centerpiece of the city. Additionally, the city offers reasonably priced island tours, including lunch and snorkeling with breathing tubes. The beaches north of Nha Trang, around Ninh Van Bay, are also worth a day trip.
Isolated from the mainland, the Con Dao archipelago is one of the country’s top attractions. Con Son is the largest island among the 15 small islands, surrounded by beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and an impressive bay with diverse tropical forest ecosystems.
Mui Ne is likened to the “precious gem” of Vietnamese beach resorts and is the next destination on this list. Kiteboarding is a popular activity here due to the extremely favorable wind conditions from late October to April.
Stretching over 18km, the powder-white sand and the emerald-green shallow waters of Doi Let ensure its ranking among the most beautiful beaches in the country.
With its golden sand, crystal-clear water, and a travel time of just two and a half hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Coc Beach – stretching nearly 10km north of Ho Tram – is an enticing stop.
Finally, My Khe Beach in Da Nang also makes it to this list.
The East bank of the Saigon River passes through Thu Thiem urban area and Thu Duc City is currently undergoing significant development. Workers are busy with tasks such as leveling the ground, constructing embankments and sidewalks, and preparing land for flower growth. In just a few days, this area will be transformed into a beautiful landscape of brilliant sunflowers, attracting a large number of people to come and enjoy during the upcoming holidays and New Year.
The area expected to plant sunflower fields has been covered with tarpaulin and soil, and the flowers will be planted early to bloom on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2024.
This renovation project aims to enhance the beauty of the Saigon River bank, starting from the Ba Son Bridge to the roof of the tunnel across the Saigon River. This area is located opposite Bach Dang Wharf Park and Nguyen Hue walking street in District 1. The project will further ensure the architectural correlation on both sides of the Saigon River, connecting Thu Duc City and District 1.
After the renovation, this place will become a new entertainment destination, especially during the approaching Tet holiday. The project will not only offer a pleasant experience to the visitors but also open new opportunities for business and investment in the area.
As the 41st anniversary of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day (November 20) approaches and new students of the 2023-2024 class are welcomed, the dormitory of National University – Ho Chi Minh City is organizing the fourth season of the School Fest program. This event is free and open to all from the night of November 18 to the end of November 19. It will bring a lively music atmosphere, large-scale sports, cultural and art exchanges, and a unique culinary booth experience.
The festival will also feature many sports games and for the first time ever, an exciting hot air balloon release activity will take place in the dormitory’s sky. Participants not only have the opportunity to admire and take pictures next to beautiful giant hot air balloons but also to receive valuable gifts when participating in the mini-game “Hot Air Balloon Universe.” This media award is exclusively for attendees of the Hot Air Balloon Festival, and it will go to the participant whose post shares the most interesting and impressive moments at the event space.
Bithumb is aiming to close the market-share gap with fellow exchange Upbit, which has over 80% of the South Korean market.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb plans to go public in its native South Korea, according to reports by local news outlets on Monday.
The exchange aims to list on Kosdaq, the South Korean counterpart to Nasdaq, though it is also open to an initial public offering (IPO) on the country’s main stock market, the Kospi, The Korea Herald reported, citing a Bithumb official.
“We selected Samsung Securities as our manager for initial public offering. We aim to go public during the second half of 2025,” the official said.
The IPO would mark the first such listing by a Korean crypto exchange. There were reports in 2020 that Bithumb was considering a share sale, though it denied them at the time. Bithumb is aiming to boost its market share and close the gap on fellow exchange Upbit, which has more than 80% of the South Korean market.
South Korea’s government set upon a crackdown of the crypto industry in 2021 in an attempt to tackle fraud and other illegal activities. Bithumb’s offices were raided at the start of this year as part of a probe into price manipulation of an unspecified digital asset.
Crypto trading in South Korea remains healthy, however, with Upbit surpassing Coinbase and OKX in August to become the world’s second-largest crypto exchange after Binance.
Prices on the majors stabilized after a rally at the end of the U.S. trading week, while the crypto winter continues to thaw in every part of the market from bitcoin to ether and DEXs.
Bitcoin (BTC) began the trading week in Asia above $37,000 and ether (ETH) above $2,000, with prices little changed from an exchange-traded fund rally that closed last week, helping narrow the discount on the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) to levels not seen since July 2021.
Data from YCharts shows the trust’s discount to its net asset value is 10.35%. The discount has been shrinking from a record of almost 50% during the depths of the FTX-induced crypto winter in December last year.
Last week, CoinDesk reported that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated discussions with Grayscale Investments about converting the trust to a spot bitcoin ETF, which, if successful, would provide significant market momentum and liquidity.
Grayscale Investments and CoinDesk are both owned by Digital Currency Group.
Bitcoin fund holdings have reached an all-time high, driven by investor enthusiasm over the anticipated approval of a spot bitcoin ETF in the U.S., with total inflows exceeding $1 billion this year, CoinDesk recently reported.
Market sentiment has also been lifted by last week’s announcement that fund-management giant BlackRock is planning to issue an ether-based ETF. News of the announcement pushed ETH to a seven-month high, outperforming bitcoin.
In a recent interview with CoinDesk TV, Diffuse Funds CEO Kenny Estes said BlackRock’s decision to apply for an ether ETF shows the financial giant is highly confident the bitcoin ETF will be approved.
“I think it will get approved, and the biggest reason for that is because BlackRock put in the application,” he said. “The fact that they’re putting in an Ethereum application, to me, sounds like it’s a predetermined outcome that it will be approved.”
Meanwhile, trading activity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) is also at a six-month high as traders cycle out of altcoins and into ether in anticipation of any ETF approval, according to research from WOO Network shared with CoinDesk.
“Recent extreme market volatility showed Arbitrum is still the lead performer in the L2 race, capturing six times the 24-hour trading volume of Optimism, and 25 times that of Base,” Ben Yorke, WOO Ecosystem VP said in a note shared with CoinDesk, referring to layer-2 blockchains. “That said, what’s clear is that Ethereum is still ultimately the end boss, overseeing more than twice the volume of all Layer 2 scaling solutions combined – driven in part by the volatility surrounding Blackrock’s apparent filing for an ETH ETF.”
Crypto traders will likely have their eye on Core Consumer Price Index data and U.S. retail sales data, scheduled to be released later this week, along with speeches by New York Fed President John Williams, which should give clues into where interest rates are going.
The Hoang Lien Center for Nature Conservation and Development in Lao Cai will take in and provide long-term care for 4 wallaby marsupials caught in Thach An district, Cao Bang province.
On November 13, Mr. La Van Toi, the Director of the Hoang Lien Conservation and Development Center for Living Beings, stated that the unit has completed the necessary procedures and is only awaiting the Provincial Forest Protection Department of Cao Bang to identify the species before they are ready to receive the 4 wallabies.
The center has already prepared enclosures and is making adjustments to make them suitable for raising wallabies. The breeding enclosure is approximately 200 m2, with half of it being a play area and the rest covered. In the near future, some landscaping and caves will be added to provide shelters for the wallabies and protect them from the cold.
Mr. Toi believes that the cost of food for the 4 wallabies is not too high, as they mainly eat vegetables, which are readily available in Sa Pa. “The wallaby species appearing in Cao Bang is new, so we will both raise and learn about them, seeking advice from international animal experts and organizations,” said Mr. Toi.
The Hoang Lien Conservation and Development Center was established in 2014, covering a natural area of 29.6 hectares, located 3 km from the center of Sa Pa town. Currently, the center cares for about 30 species with over 100 individuals, 80% of which are on the list of unique species in Vietnam, while the remaining 20% are exotic species such as crocodiles, red-eared sliders, etc.
The four wallabies were caught on the roadside in Duc Long commune, Thach An district, on November 8-10. They were released into the wild by a smuggling group across the border when detected by law enforcement. Each wallaby weighs 8-10 kg and is in good health.
Some experts have identified them as wallaby marsupials, also known as mini kangaroos, originating from Australia. Adults weigh about 30 kg, with a total body length, including the tail, of 1.8 meters.
For the time being, the 4 wallabies are temporarily being held at the Forest Protection Department of Thach An district.
Vietnam is one of the countries where glazed ceramics have been produced for a long time and still continue to develop. The artisans have been creating ceramic products for generations, which have become the pride of traditional Vietnamese craft villages, with a variety of styles and shapes. One of the most unique ceramic lines is the brown-glazed ceramics of the Ly Tran Dynasty.
The brown-glazed ceramics are among the top group of Vietnamese ceramics in terms of visual art, application function, and pure Vietnamese style. Appearing around the 11th century and only existing for about 4 centuries, brown-glazed ceramics left a bold mark in the history of Vietnamese ceramics.
Vietnamese brown-glazed ceramic products
To restore this unique Vietnamese ceramic line, the Thousand Years of Vietnamese Ceramics Center and the Brown Glazed Ceramics Academy were established. These places serve as a gathering place for artisans, experts, researchers, and artists, and connect Vietnamese ceramic enthusiasts.
Ceramic products are displayed at the Center
At the Thousand Years of Vietnamese Pottery Center, one can find unique ceramic product samples skillfully and meticulously crafted by the hands of Bat Trang artisans or personalized collections, passed down from generation to generation.
Director Hoang Cong Cuong, Strategic Director of the Thousand Years of Vietnamese Ceramics Center said, “The Thousand Years of Vietnamese Ceramics Center creates each piece with spirit, intelligence, creativity and careful research. We put a lot of love into it with the hope that Vietnamese ceramic products will reach an international level with a very special position.”
At the Thousand Years of Vietnamese Pottery Center, visitors can not only admire simple ceramic sculptures but also learn about thousands of years of cultural heritage stories. The Center for Thousand Years of Vietnamese Ceramics is expected to be an address connecting the elite of craft villages with the creative and tourism community.
During his recent visit to Hanoi, renowned American food blogger Mark Wiens couldn’t resist the allure of the famous meat-rolled fish noodle shop nestled on Dinh Liet street.
With a preference for the local sidewalk dining experience, Mark, who boasts 6 million Facebook followers and over 10 million on his personal YouTube channel, enthusiastically embraced the vibrant street food scene.
Known for its thin, crispy fish cakes and peculiar meat-rolled fish dish, the 20-year-old establishment on Trung Yen alley (Dinh Liet street, Hoan Kiem district) has garnered a reputation among locals and foreigners alike. Despite its limited space, the eatery consistently draws a large crowd, with a dedicated staff of 6-7 members.
To savor the unique flavors of the venue, Mark opted for a comprehensive order, indulging in three sets simultaneously: noodle soup, mixed vermicelli, and red rice cake. The enticing aroma of deep-fried fish greeted him upon arrival, heightening his anticipation.
Mark’s gastronomic journey commenced with the fish noodle soup, a delectable combination of vermicelli, fish, and crispy deep-fried fish cakes. The dish, adorned with bean sprouts, celery, green onions, and a flavorful broth, offered a delightful sensory experience. Mark, mirroring the locals, enhanced the dish by incorporating spicy bamboo shoots, garlic, chili, vinegar, and kumquats.
Unable to contain his excitement, Mark savored the broth first, expressing his delight, “The broth has a fragrant aroma, a sweet taste, a little sour mixed with the smell of dill leaves. Soft noodles, crispy fried fish. I can guess it’s tilapia. The fish absorbs the spices but still retains its crispness. Really cool.”
The mixed vermicelli dish featured similar ingredients but with dried vermicelli mixed with soy sauce and roasted peanuts. Mark, displaying his discerning palate, appreciated the dish’s unique crispness, untouched by the broth.
Mark also indulged in the restaurant’s most popular side dish, crispy fried fish and meat, praising its rich spices and crispy exterior. The deep-fried fish roll with meat, another highlight, showcased marinated fish, ground meat, wood ear fungus, and a crispy fried dough exterior, complemented by sweet and sour fish sauce.
Concluding his culinary adventure, Mark relished the red rice paper, prepared similarly to the noodle soup. While it was not a staple in his usual diet, Mark was inspired by the orders around him, expressing his eagerness to return and explore the mixed red rice cake on his next visit.
CapitaLand Development (Vietnam) leads pack of winning, world-class companies at the HCMC Gala
PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), Southeast Asia’s leading property technology company, proudly announced today the Winners of the 9th Annual PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards.
The black-tie gala dinner and presentation ceremony, held for the first time at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection in Ho Chi Minh City, gave honour to the developers and projects that have elevated the Gold Standard of Vietnam real estate.
Clinching the golden statuettes for Best Developer and Best Sustainable Developer, CapitaLand Development (Vietnam) emerged as the biggest winner of the night, garnering a total of seven wins.
CapitaLand Development (Vietnam) wins Best Developer, the top honour of the PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards 2023
Keppel Vietnam also garnered seven wins, including Best Commercial Developer and accolades for its projects Saigon Centre and Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City.
Hailed Best Luxury Developer, SonKim Land Corporation received five golden statuettes, including the coveted Best Condo Development (Vietnam) award for The OpusK Residence. Phu Long Real Estates Corporation was another big winner, counting Best Mixed Use Developer and Best Mega Township Development among its five wins. ParkCity Hanoi by ParkCity Group was named Best Community Developer, also one of five wins for the company.
Other winners in the Developer categories were DOJILAND Real Estate Investment Company Limited, named Best Lifestyle Developer, and Khai Hoan Land Group Joint Stock Company, named Best Breakthrough Developer.
An esteemed list of multinational and homegrown developers scored a wide array of wins at the Awards. They included BIM Land, a member of BIM Group; Gamuda Land; Huong Viet Holding (HVH); Kusto Home Joint Stock Company; Nalux Development; Tan A Dai Thanh – MeyLand; and TBS Land.
Bach Duong, country manager, Batdongsan.com.vn, said: “Through prestigious awards like PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards, developers have proved their capabilities and credibility, establishing higher standards for themselves and the Vietnamese property industry. We look forward to an exciting range of high-calibre residential, commercial, and industrial projects reshaping the skylines of Vietnam as well as more opportunities ahead for the real estate market.”
Jules Kay, GM of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “The Awards highlight Vietnam’s diversified built environment, recognising achievements in categories that cover established excellence, as well as vibrant potential in development and design. These accolades attest to the skill and ingenuity that go into the creation of Vietnam’s townships, mixed-use sites, industrial parks, condominiums, housing developments, commercial spaces, resorts, and more. In an environment of economic recovery, supported by expanding infrastructure networks, these award-winning properties deserve international recognition on a platform that only the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards can provide.”
The annual gala dinner’s host, Mr. Jules Kay, General Manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events
The independent panel of judges who determined this year’s list of winners consist of Thien Duong, chairperson of the Awards in Vietnam and general director, Group GSA Vietnam; Chau Ta, executive director – legal transactions, SC Capital Partners Pte Ltd.; David Jackson, chief executive officer, Colliers Vietnam; David McDonald, general director, WT Partnership (Vietnam) LLC; Hang Dang, managing director, CBRE (Vietnam) Co, Ltd.; Jack Nguyen, advisor, Vinacrowd; Jean-Francois Chevance, group director of hospitality and design, Archetype Group; Mauro Gasparotti, director, Savills Hotels APAC; and Paul D. Volodarsky, partner, head of regional real estate practice, head of hospitality sector, DFDL Legal and Tax.
The panel also included specialists in the Hanoi market, consisting of Andras Germ, general manager, Astra; Dang Van Quang, director of strategy consulting services, Navigat; Douglas Lee Snyder, executive director, Vietnam Green Building Council; and Tran Quynh Trang, owner of property management firm Sapphire Indochina.
AASC – HLB Vietnam, the official supervisor of the Awards, upheld the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the selection process, under the leadership of Do Manh Cuong and Lan Ng Hoang.
Main country winners of the PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards will advance to the 18th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final on Friday, 8 December in Bangkok, Thailand where they will compete for Best in Asia honours against their peers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as Australia, India, Japan and China.
Organised by PropertyGuru Group, the 9th PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards are supported by platinum sponsor Kohler; gold sponsors Dulux Professional and Vasta Stone; official portal partner Batdongsan.com.vn; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partners Robb Report, Vietnam Heritage, Vietnam Insider, Vietnam News, and Xay Dung; supporting associations IFC – Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies and Vietnam Green Building Council; and official supervisor HLB.
Mr. Jeremy Williams, PropertyGuru Group, Managing Director, Marketplaces
COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS
9th PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards
DEVELOPER AWARDS
Best Developer WINNER: CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
Best Luxury Developer
WINNER: SonKim Land Corporation
Best Commercial Developer
WINNER: Keppel Vietnam
Best Sustainable Developer WINNER: CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
Best Mixed Use Developer
WINNER: Phu Long Real Estates Corporation
Best Lifestyle Developer
WINNER: DOJILAND Real Estate Investment Company Limited
Best Community Developer
WINNER: ParkCity Hanoi by ParkCity Group
Best Breakthrough Developer
WINNER: Khai Hoan Land Group Joint Stock Company
DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
Best Mega Township Development
WINNER: Mailand Hanoi City by Phu Long Real Estates Corporation
Best Waterfront Township Development
WINNER: Meyhomes Capital Phú Quốc by Tan A Dai Thanh – MeyLand
BestMixed UseDevelopment
WINNER: Saigon Centre by Keppel Vietnam
BestBoutique Mixed UseDevelopment
WINNER: The OpusK – Luxury Boutique Office by SonKim Land Corporation
Best Completed Serviced Apartment Development
WINNER: Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City by Keppel Vietnam
Best Landmark Development
WINNER: Golden Crown Hai Phong by DOJILAND Real Estate Investment Company Limited
Best Ultra Luxury Condo Development (HCMC) WINNER: The OpusK Residence by SonKim Land Corporation
BestHigh EndCondo Development (HCMC)
WINNER: Elysian by Gamuda Land
Best Luxury Condo Development (Hanoi)
WINNER: The Reflection West Lake by Kusto Home Joint Stock Company
BestHigh EndCondo Development (Hanoi)
WINNER: Lumi Hanoi by CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
Best Condo Development (Binh Duong)
WINNER: Green Tower Di An Binh Duong by TBS Land
Best Lifestyle Development
WINNER: Khai Hoan Prime by Khai Hoan Land Group Joint Stock Company
Best Eco Friendly Condo Development WINNER: Elysian by Gamuda Land
Best Completed Condo Development
WINNER: Park Kiara, ParkCity Hanoi by ParkCity Group
Best Connectivity Condo Development
WINNER: Green Tower Di An Binh Duong by TBS Land
Best Waterfront Housing Development
WINNER: Thung lũng Thanh Xuân (Thanh Xuan Valley) by BIM Land, a member of BIM Group
Best Office Development
WINNER: The Hallmark by Huong Viet Holding (HVH)
Best Integrated Resort Development
WINNER: Anara Binh Tien by Nalux Development
DESIGN AWARDS
Best Mixed Use Architectural Design
WINNER: The OpusK – Luxury Boutique Office by SonKim Land Corporation
Best Luxury Condo Architectural Design
WINNER: The Reflection West Lake by Kusto Home Joint Stock Company
Best High End Condo Architectural Design
WINNER: Lumi Hanoi by CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
Best Completed Condo Landscape Design
WINNER: Park Kiara, ParkCity Hanoi by ParkCity Group
Best Condo Landscape Design
WINNER: Lumi Hanoi by CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
Best Biophilic Landscape Design
WINNER: Elysian by Gamuda Land
BEST OF VIETNAM AWARD
Best Condo Development (Vietnam)
WINNER: The OpusK Residence by SonKim Land Corporation
The OpusK Residence by SonKim Land Corporation winner of the Best Condo Development (Vietnam)
SPECIAL AWARDS
Special Recognition in ESG
WINNER: Keppel Vietnam
WINNER: Phu Long Real Estates Corporation
Special Recognition in Sustainable Designand Construction
WINNER: CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
WINNER: Keppel Vietnam
WINNER: ParkCity Hanoi by ParkCity Group
Special Recognition for CSR
WINNER: CapitaLand Development (Vietnam)
WINNER: DOJILAND Real Estate Investment Company Limited
WINNER: Keppel Vietnam
WINNER: Phu Long Real Estates Corporation
Special Recognition for Building Communities
WINNER: Keppel Vietnam
WINNER: ParkCity Hanoi by ParkCity Group
WINNER: Phu Long Real Estates Corporation
ABOUT PROPERTYGURU ASIA PROPERTY AWARDS:
PropertyGuru’s Asia Property Awards, established in 2005, are the region’s most exclusive and prestigious real estate awards programme. The Asia Property Awards are recognised as the ultimate hallmark of excellence in the Asian property sector. Boasting an independent panel of industry experts and trusted supervisors, the Awards have an unparalleled reputation for being credible, ethical, fair, and transparent.
In 2023, the Awards series is open to more than a dozen key property markets around the region. The exciting gala events welcome senior industry leaders and top media, as well as reach property agents and consumers via live streaming. Recognising excellence within each Asian market with a variety of categories, including green and sustainable development, each local awards programme will culminate in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which takes place after the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit during ‘PropertyGuru Week’ in December 2023.
After six consecutive declining sessions, the VN-Index has dropped below the 1,100-point mark and is testing the MA5 trendline at this level.
The index is expected to rebound today to retest the MA200 resistance at 1,115 points. If buying pressure is strong enough to close the VN-Index above this resistance, the index may continue its upward momentum towards the next resistance, the MA50 trendline at around 1,140 points in subsequent sessions.
Meanwhile, Gelex Corporation’s GEX stocks surged following the announcement of a deal to buy and sell a renewable energy portfolio with Sembcorp, totaling 245 MW. According to Vietcap’s analysis, GEX’s pre-tax divestment profit is estimated to be between 800 and 1,100 billion VND, leading to a significant adjustment potential for GEX’s net profit after minority interest in 2024. In terms of technical analysis, GEX’s performance is more favorable than the VN-Index, as it is closing above the MA50 resistance at 21,400. GEX’s strong resistance level is currently around the old peak range of 24,500-26,000.
In the banking sector, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has halted bond issuance since November 8, while 40 trillion VND in bonds matured on November 9 and 10, resulting in a net injection of 40 trillion VND into the system. Vietcap’s analysis estimates that around 154.6 trillion VND in bonds will mature from November 13 to December 6. If the SBV does not issue additional bonds to absorb liquidity during this period, approximately 154.6 trillion VND will be injected into the banking system.
For the derivative market, the F2311 contract opened with a price gap down, fluctuating strongly within the range of 1,109-1,123 points before closing below this trading channel. The forecast suggests that F2311 may increase to retest resistance at 1,119-1,120 points. The recommended trading strategy is to buy when surpassing the resistance at 1,109 points, with a target of 1,119 points and a stop-loss at 1,107 points.
Are you curious about the regulations governing the acquisition and sale of real estate by foreigners in Vietnam? Join Vietnam Insider to gain insights into the latest rules you should be aware of when it comes to real estate transactions.
Let’s delve into the specifics, starting with land transactions:
In accordance with the 2013 Land Law, ownership of residential land in Vietnam is permitted for the following entities:
Domestic individuals and households.
Domestic organizations, encompassing people’s armed units, political organizations, socio-political organizations, economic organizations, socio-political-professional organizations, social organizations, and social-professional organizations, public service organizations, as well as other organizations stipulated by civil law and state agencies.
Residential communities, defined as the Vietnamese community residing in the same village, village, hamlet, residential group, and residential area.
Religious facilities, comprising churches, chapels, shrines, cathedrals, Buddhist temples, monasteries, private religious training schools, headquarters of religious organizations, and other religious facilities.
Vietnamese people residing abroad.
Foreign organizations with foreign functions, including consulates, diplomatic agencies, and other foreign representative agencies.
As per the regulations mentioned above, foreigners—whether within the country or abroad—are not entitled to own land, receive land allocations from the State, lease land, have land use rights recognized, or partake in land use rights transfers. Consequently, they cannot engage in the buying and selling of land or have their names listed on land use rights certificates in Vietnam.
Housing projects for foreigners in Vietnam
Moving on to the acquisition of housing:
Article 7 of Consolidated Document 04/VBHN-VPQH 2022 Housing Law outlines the eligible entities permitted to own housing in Vietnam:
Individuals, households, and domestic organizations.
Vietnamese individuals residing abroad.
Foreign organizations and individuals as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 159 of Consolidated Document 04/VBHN-VPQH 2022 Housing Law.
Additionally, Article 159 of the same document specifies that foreigners are exclusively allowed to purchase and have their names on the Red Book for apartments and individual houses within projects invested in housing construction.
In summary, while foreigners are restricted from land transactions, they are granted the privilege to own houses in Vietnam, provided they adhere to the conditions outlined in the Housing Law.
Stay informed with Vietnam Insider for the latest updates on real estate regulations affecting foreigners in the country.
A foreign national has been apprehended by Vietnamese border guards for attempting to transport over 2kg of opium and 1,000 synthetic drug pills from Laos to Vietnam for illicit purposes.
According to information from the Border Guard of Thanh Hoa province, the arrest took place at approximately 7:00 a.m. on November 12. The suspect, identified as Thao Nao Ly (born 1969, residing in Hua Phan, Laos), was taken into custody for the illegal transportation of narcotics.
Prior to the arrest, the Thanh Hoa Border Guard had received intelligence about an individual carrying drugs through the area of Keo Te village, Nhi Son commune, Muong Lat district, Thanh Hoa province.
The suspect, identified as Thao Nao Ly (born 1969, residing in Hua Phan, Laos)
In response, the authorities initiated a monitoring process and identified a suspicious individual passing through the Keo Te village area. Functional forces promptly executed a search and arrest plan.
Upon discovery, the suspect resisted arrest by using a sharp knife against the authorities. However, law enforcement successfully subdued the individual. Subsequent examination of the scene led to the seizure of incriminating evidence, including 2kg of opium and 1,000 synthetic drug pills. The suspect admitted to transporting the opium with the intention of supplying it to several Vietnamese individuals.
The case is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.
The handling of illegally captured wallabies in Cao Bang has created confusion.
The wallabies, not native to Vietnam, can’t be released into the environment, and the state’s rescue center has limited resources for their lifelong care. Authorities found a fourth wallaby on November 11, abandoned by wildlife traffickers.
While awaiting source verification, the wallabies are temporarily kept in Thach An District’s Forestry Inspection. Cao Bang’s forestry authorities are uncertain how to deal with these creatures as they aren’t permitted in Vietnam, and information about them is scarce.
Experts suggest these wallabies, originating from Australia, aren’t invasive species. According to Regulation No. 29/2019 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, options for handling forest animals include releasing them into the natural environment, rescue, transfer to zoos or research facilities, selling, or disposal.
However, since the wallabies are non-native, releasing them into the natural environment is prohibited. They are healthy, not showing signs of disease, making rescue or disposal inappropriate.
Animal rescue specialists emphasize caution if transferring them to the rescue center in Lao Cai, to prevent cross-infection. Asian Animal Organization recommends against releasing non-native animals into the wild.
State rescue centers in Vietnam lack resources, making it challenging to care for additional species. The suggestion is to place the wallabies in a safari wildlife park rather than burdening already stretched rescue centers.
Despite being prohibited in Vietnam, wallabies have entered the country through unofficial channels in recent years, sold for ornamental purposes, and bred by some farms.
A wallaby is a small or middle-sized macropod native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand, Hawaii, the United Kingdom and other countries. They belong to the same taxonomic family as kangaroos and sometimes the same genus, but kangaroos are specifically categorised into the four largest species of the family. The term “wallaby” is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or a wallaroo that has not been designated otherwise.
The renowned Dutch online travel company Booking.com recently honored Vietnam’s Mui Ne as one of the six most budget-friendly autumn vacation destinations in the world.
The other destinations featured on this year’s list include Cartagena in Colombia, Valencia in Spain, Pigeon Forge in the United States, and Blackpool in England.
Booking.com notes, “Mui Ne is a popular destination for both budget travelers and those seeking a luxurious vacation on a budget. It is also an ideal destination for those who love surfing.”
With ideal wind conditions from October to March and year-round tropical weather, Mui Ne is described as a place for “a sun-soaked adventurous autumn vacation.”
Mui Ne is a suitable fall destination for outdoor activities. Photo: Happy Tour
Located 12 km from Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan province on the South Central Coast, Mui Ne is renowned for its vast sand dunes.
Booking.com evaluates that, with more reasonable costs compared to other countries, choosing Mui Ne as a destination will provide travelers with affordable beach activities, including kayaking, jet-skiing, and surfing.
With an average nightly stay cost of around 220,000 VND (9 USD), there are numerous accommodations near Ham Tien Beach and the famous Rang Market in Mui Ne.
This year’s list is based on reviews from travelers who booked accommodations at over 28 million lodging facilities in 155 countries and territories on Booking.com. Criteria include hotel room prices, flights, transportation, and food.
Google will start deleting long-unused Gmail accounts next month, but before doing so, the company will send warnings to the owners of these accounts.
According to IndiaToday, Google issued a warning about this new policy about six months ago and stated that no action would be taken until December. This measure will not affect those actively using the company’s services such as Gmail, Documents, Calendar, or Photos. Accounts that have not been used for at least two years or have not been logged into will be deleted. At the same time, all data related to the services will also be erased.
Accounts that have been inactive for 2 years will be on Google’s deletion list
At that time, Google stated, “Before deleting an account, we will send multiple notifications to both the account’s email address and the alternate email address (if any) several months in advance.”
The company added that they chose this measure for security reasons because old and inactive accounts are more likely to become targets for fraudsters. Google explained, “If an account is not used for an extended period, it is more likely to be compromised. This is because accounts that are forgotten or not monitored often have old or reused passwords and can be vulnerable to compromise.”
According to Google’s own estimates, abandoned accounts are less likely to have two-factor authentication enabled at least 10 times compared to active accounts. Two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for attackers to access someone else’s account, and Google consistently emphasizes this in its security recommendations.
