Unveiling the Thriving Realm: Sports Betting in Asia – Popularity, Trends, and Regulations

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For millions of people around the world, sports betting has been a beloved pastime that combines the thrill of sports with the excitement of gambling. In recent years, Asia has emerged as a dynamic market for sports betting, with a growing number of enthusiasts and a booming industry.

From traditional forms of gambling to online sports betting in Asia, the market offers a diverse range of options for sports betting enthusiasts.

The Popularity of Sports Betting in Asia

Asia’s love for sports is well-known, with millions of fans passionately following various sports like football, cricket, and basketball. This passion has translated into a strong interest in betting as fans seek to enhance their excitement and engagement with their favorite games.

Online platforms, have emerged as popular avenues for Asian bettors to explore various betting options and place wagers on their preferred sports events. These platforms provide users with convenient access to betting opportunities, offering a seamless and thrilling experience for sports enthusiasts looking to take their involvement to the next level.

Football, also known as soccer in some regions, is the most popular sport for betting across Asia. Major European leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League attract substantial interest from sports bettors in Asia. In addition to football, cricket, and basketball enjoy substantial popularity, especially in countries like India and the Philippines.

Mobile Betting and Technological Advancements

With the widespread adoption of smartphones and improved internet connectivity, bettors can now access betting platforms and place wagers on their favorite sports from the comfort of their homes.

Mobile apps for betting on sports have completely changed how people in Asia engage with sports betting. These apps now give users updates in real time, allow them to watch matches live, and offer a large variety of betting options. The convenience and accessibility offered by these apps have played a significant role in attracting a new generation of sports betting enthusiasts.

Regulatory Environment and Legal Framework

The level of regulation for sports betting differs among Asian nations. Some countries have embraced and properly regulated the industry, while others have imposed severe restrictions or bans. Bettors must understand the legal status of betting in their specific jurisdictions.

For instance, the Philippines, Macau, and Singapore have developed reliable and authorized online betting platforms that guarantee a safe and protected environment for bettors. These jurisdictions have implemented strict measures to prevent fraud, safeguard users’ information, and encourage responsible gambling behaviors.

In contrast, countries like China and Japan have more restrictive policies, with limited avenues for legal betting. However, underground or illegal betting markets continue to thrive even in these countries.

Emerging Trends and Future Outlook

The Asian sports betting market is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory reforms.

A prominent trend is the increasing popularity of esports betting, which involves individuals placing bets on professional video gaming tournaments. Esports has gained substantial traction in Asia, especially among the younger age group, and the inclusion of betting has created fresh opportunities for expansion.

Furthermore, as more Asian countries explore the potential economic benefits of legalizing and regulating sports betting, we can expect further industry expansion. This could increase investment, job creation, and a safer gambling environment for enthusiasts.

The Future Of Sports Betting

Sports betting in Asia has become a thriving industry. With the combination of technological advancements, passion for sports, and regulatory reforms, the region has witnessed a significant surge in the popularity of sports betting.

While the legal landscape varies across countries, the increasing adoption of mobile betting apps and the emergence of new trends like esports betting are shaping the industry’s future. As Asia continues to embrace the world of sports betting, it offers an exciting and dynamic market for enthusiasts and industry stakeholders.

Reddit Community Tokens Rocket as Rule Change Speculation Boosts MOON, BRICK

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Reddit changed its Terms of Service recently where it now explicitly allows for trading Reddit’s tokenized Community Points, one observer said while explaining the price rally.

Moons (MOON), the native token of Reddit’s r/CryptoCurrency community of over 6.5 million users, has chalked up a triple-digit price gain this week. One analyst cited Reddit’s recent change in terms of service as possible reason for the impressive price rall

MOON’s price has surged 170% to almost 25 cents from 9 cents, according to data tracked by Coingecko. The cryptocurrency is listed on SushiSwap, Gate.io and MEXC.

Moons are ERC-20 tokens distributed as rewards to users for their posts or comments in the r/CryptoCurrency subreddit. The coins can be freely traded, tipped, or spent in the community for different purposes. The tokens can also be stored in Reddit’s Ethereum-based wallet, called Vault.

The Bricks (BRICK) token, distributed as a reward for contributions in the r/Fortnite subreddit, has surged 300% in two days.

Over the weekend, a trending post in the r/CryptoCurrency subreddit said Reddit’s terms of service have changed, allowing the trading of verified virtual goods like avatars and Reddit’s community points.

Per Coingecko’s co-founder and COO, Booby Ong, the speculation about impending changes to Reddit has driven the two tokens higher.

“Reddit’s Terms of Service recently changed where it now explicitly allows for trading Reddit’s tokenized Community Points. The change also goes alongside the removal of Reddit’s non-tokenized Coins and Awards. No firm changes have been announced for Reddit’s Community Points yet, but the community is speculating that Reddit will give more attention to the Community Points. This has resulted in MOON and BRICK tokens increasing by over 100% in value this week,” Ong told CoinDesk.

Note that community points have always been tradable, but it’s troublesome to trade those through the Reddit app, per ONG. “It’s easy to send CPs to other Reddit users from the app, but to trade them, one has to export the private key from the Reddit wallet and import it into a crypto wallet. Then trade the CPs on an Arbitrum Nova DEX,” ONG said in a tweet thread.

Users of the r/CryptoCurrency subreddit responded positively to the terms of change post, with cryptocurrency exchange Kraken thanking the subreddit for providing updates about the change in terms of service.

A member of Kraken added that the exchange is “always open to adding new digital assets. The comment has raised hopes for an eventual listing of the Moons token on the Kraken exchange and may have contributed to the token’s price surge.

Discovering Hanoi’s Culinary Gems Within 3km of My Dinh Stadium During Born Pink concert

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Here are some suggestions for Blink and visitor to recharge their energy before attending the Born Pink concert at the end of July.

The Blackpink concert in Hanoi has fans buzzing with excitement as they arrange their schedules, belongings, and hotel accommodations in preparation for the trip. In addition to finding suitable lodging, dining is also a crucial matter. After making the effort to come here, surely everyone wants to indulge in the most exquisite dishes of Hanoi’s cuisine.

You can find pho and bun cha in all three regions, but Hanoi’s versions have their own unique charm. Typically, tourists would have to head to the old town to enjoy these dishes. However, if traveling more than 10km is not convenient, you can also try them at shops within a radius of less than 5km from My Dinh Stadium.

Phở

Le Hung beef Phở

The shop is not too large but clean, pho broth is suitable for people with stronger taste. Although the price here is higher than the common ground, the bowl of pho is big and full. The best here is beef noodle soup and the owner styled it with lots of onions. If anyone wants to eat more onions, they can ask for more comfort, but those who can’t eat onions should be careful from the time of ordering.

In addition, this is also a favorite address of Vietnamese players whenever the team gathers at the Football Center.

Hieu beef Phở

This pho restaurant is located at the foot of an apartment building, the space is spacious and airy, with a clear price list for each type. There is also a car park, but it is not possible to park too much because it is an urban area.

Bản Phở restaurant

Not comparable to Nguyet or Cham chicken noodle soup, but Pho Ban is also famous in Hanoi. The type to try here is the chicken noodle soup, with a rich broth, fresh and delicious chicken. However, despite being known for its characteristically tight chicken noodle soup, whether the chicken pieces are sliced, chopped or shredded will depend on the vendor that day.

Bún ( foods with vermicelli )

Bún Chả Gánh

This bun cha shop is very popular with office workers in My Dinh area. On weekdays, the restaurant mainly serves takeout orders. But if guests want to come to the restaurant to eat and drink, it is also possible because although the space is not very large, there are tables and chairs, cool air conditioning and parking space. Coming here, diners have many choices from bun cha with meat pieces, minced meat, fried spring rolls, or can order a mixed bun cha.

Thu Hà Bún Chả Hàng Mành

Open to serve all 3 meals a day, the shop is often in a crowded state, but the owner here is always welcoming and pleasing to the diners. The restaurant’s crab spring rolls are made with a moderate size, but not boring. However, the fish sauce part is only rated at a good level, and the grilled meat here is suitable for those who prefer to eat leaner meat.

Bún Chả, Bánh Cuốn ( roll cakes) Quang Anh

In addition to bun cha, the shop also sells rolls and chicken. Both bun cha and banh cuon use the same dipping sauce. Banh cuon is hand-coated every time a customer orders it and there are banh cuon filled with meat and onions. As for bun cha, the restaurant serves it with cinnamon rolls and grilled rolls.

Bún đậu mẹt Bom Bốp ( vermicelli dish with special Vietnamese’s shrimp paste)

Source: Phu nu Viet Nam

Levered Bullish Longs Getting Liquidated as Bitcoin Market Softens

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CoinGlass data shows that in the last 24 hours, $116.38 million worth of futures bets were liquidated, with $85.68 in bullish long positions

On-chain data shows that traders’ bullish long positions on bitcoin are being liquidated as the cryptocurrency struggles to gather traction above $30,000.

Data from CoinGlass shows that $85.68 million in long positions were liquidated in the last 24 hours, making up the majority of the $116.38 million in positions ‘rekt’ as the crypto market softens.

CoinGlass data also suggests that a significant number of liquidated traders had high-leveraged positions, with many that held positions between the $30,200 and $30,500 range.

Futures trading involves the use of leverage, meaning traders can take large long/short position by depositing a relatively small amount of money, called a margin, with the exchange providing the rest of the value. That exposes futures traders to liquidations – forced closure of long/short positions due to margin shortages often caused by the market moving against the direction of the levered bet.

The use of leverage has been creeping back into the market after hitting a low at the end of April. The higher the degree of leverage in the market, the greater the probability of wild price swings.

CryptoQuant’s estimated leverage ratio for bitcoin has risen from 0.19 at the end of April to 0.25 currently. It could rise further, as the recent bitcoin spot-ETF filings by BlackRock and other traditional finance heavyweights has revived bullish sentiment in the crypto market.

“There’s a continued focus solely on U.S. (ETFs),” Edward Moya, senior market analyst for foreign exchange market maker Oanda, told CoinDesk earlier. “People are not going to be as optimistic until we get a further update that we’re going to get that ETF done in the States.”

Bitcoin is currently trading for $30,080, according to CoinDesk data.

Fed may raise interest rates twice in a row

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Some Fed officials favor a rate hike this month and September, to further bolster the fight against inflation.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell frequently asserts that the agency still has a lot of work to do, and he does not rule out the possibility of consecutive interest rate increases. Last weekend, Fed governor Christopher Waller also reaffirmed his view that interest rates need to be raised twice this year.

“Since the June meeting, we’ve had an extra month of data to gauge the situation. And I’m increasingly confident that banking volatility won’t have a significant effect on the economy. I don’t see a reason why. so that the first rate hike doesn’t happen this month,” Waller said in a forum at New York University. He also affirmed that if inflation does not make progress and economic activity does not slow down much, the second interest rate increase will also take place soon. In other words, if inflation remains high, the labor market remains strong relative to average, and the economy shrinks only slightly, the Fed is likely to raise interest rates in September.

Fed rate adjustments since 2006. Graph: Reuters

Investors are betting the Fed will raise rates this month, after pausing last month. The agency has raised interest rates 10 times in a row since March last year, bringing the reference rate to 5-5.25 percent. This is the highest level in more than 15 years.

So far, most Fed officials have also signaled that they are inclined to raise interest rates in July. However, the decision in September will be more difficult. Because the Fed will have to decide whether to stop, or wait for more signals on inflation. All officials have clearly expressed their desire for inflation to cool down as soon as possible.

Bank worries have now been almost eliminated. The credit situation has also not been significantly tightened after the three bank failures earlier this year. Some leading banks even recorded a jump in second quarter profits.

This makes Fed officials more confident with the current tightening cycle, increasing the possibility of a rate hike in September. But of course, that still depends on other economic data, due to be released in a few months. next.

Core inflation (removing prices of volatile commodities) in June did not decelerate as quickly as normal inflation. The labor market has also remained stable, adding 209,000 new jobs last month. The next Fed meeting will take place on July 25-26.

 

British travel magazine: 3 Vietnamese heritages on the list of must-visit destinations

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Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Phong Nha-Ke Bang are three representatives of Vietnam selected by the famous British travel magazine Wanderlust in the list of 16 UNESCO heritage sites to discover in Southeast Asia.

Wanderlust selected Ha Long Bay as the first heritage on this list. According to Wanderlust, one of the best experiences is being on a wooden boat to admire the nature of Ha Long Bay with its emerald green water, towering limestone cliffs covered with beautiful areas and tropical primary forest.

Wanderlust said that although Vietnam is not the only place with huge limestone blocks, there is no place in the world with a more impressive scale than Ha Long Bay. The process of geological erosion in Ha Long Bay has created mysterious and impressive caves.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the first time in 1994, after nearly 30 years, this place remains virtually unchanged, while the number of tourists continues to increase.

Wanderlust suggests that travelers should consider kayaking to admire the beauty of caves such as Thien Cung Cave or visit floating villages, exploring stunning beaches.

Ranked 6th on this list is Hoi An (Quang Nam).

According to Wanderlust, Hoi An is acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, perhaps due to its ancient charm and the serene, slow-paced lifestyle of its local residents.

However, it wasn’t always like this. This city was once a prosperous trading port and home to merchants from all over Asia until around 200 years ago when the Thu Bon River silted up, and traders moved elsewhere.

Traces of Hoi An’s multicultural past are still present in its French-style architecture, Chinese streets, and elegant Japanese Covered Bridge.

Wandering through the streets of the ancient town allows one to truly appreciate the beauty of Hoi An. Along the streets are shops with traditional wooden architecture, offering a diverse range of products. Most notably, the streets come alive with colorful lanterns, especially on the full moon days, adding a sparkling touch to the charming atmosphere.

Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng (Quang Binh) is the 9th heritage site on Wanderlust’s list.

They said, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the most attractive attraction in a country with a large area of ​​natural forest. The special attraction here is thanks to the beautiful caves and underground rivers with crystal clear water.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was recognized by UNESCO long before the discovery of Son Doong cave. Son Doong is a 5km long cave, so big that it can fit a skyscraper inside, making it the largest cave in the world. Since 2013, adventurous tourists have been able to explore this cave. And more and more fascinating caves are found, many new discovery tours with many interesting activities are exploited.

In addition to the three Vietnamese heritage sites, Wanderlust’s list includes other heritage sites of the region: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Palawan, (Philippines); Komodo National Park, (Indonesia); Sukhothai Heritage and Related Historic Towns (Thailand); Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo (Malaysia); The ancient capital of Luang Prabang (Laos); Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore); Heritage of Angkor Wat (Cambodia); Borobudur temple complex (Indonesia),…

Booking.com reveals top destinations in Vietnam for a more sustainable stay in 2023

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  • Over 500,000 properties around the world are now being recognized for their sustainability practices on Booking.com, including 5,000 properties from Vietnam that have the Travel Sustainable Badge.
  • Ho Chi Minh City was revealed as one of the top destinations in Vietnam with the highest number of properties credited with a Travel Sustainable badge on Booking.com followed by Hanoi and Danang.
  • Offering reusable towels, opting out from daily room cleaning and having water-efficient toilets are top most adopted sustainable attributes by properties in Vietnam.

Whether in bustling cities or tucked away surrounded by nature, along coastlines or up high in mountainous areas, there are many accommodations and destinations in Vietnam that make sure to double down their efforts on sustainable practices. The annual Sustainable Travel Report 2023 of Booking.com reveals that sustainable travel is still high on the agenda and important to 96%* of Vietnamese travelers, with over 97% wanting to convert intent into action and make a conscious effort to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months.

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, including in a more sustainable way, Booking.com revealed a list of inspiring destinations in Vietnam with higher proportions of Travel Sustainable Stays to fuel travelers’ wanderlust this year.

Traveling for sustainable stays in Vietnam

Booking.com has revealed travelers who wish to stay in a sustainable property while exploring Vietnam have over 5,000 properties to choose from. Whether in busy cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, to more tranquil destinations such as Phu Quoc and Quy Nhon, there are many properties to cater to travelers who are intent on making more sustainable travel choices.

Destinations in Vietnam offering the highest number of sustainable stays with the Travel Sustainable Badge on Booking.com

  • Ho Chi Minh City
  • Hanoi
  • Danang
  • Vung Tau
  • Dalat
  • Nha Trang
  • Hoi An
  • Quy Nhon
  • Phu Quoc
  • Ha Long

Most adopted sustainable attributes by properties in Vietnam***

Accommodation properties in Vietnam have adopted various sustainable attributes which contribute to their recognition to be sustainable properties. These attributes vary from small-yet-effective changes to harder-working efforts to truly become more sustainable.

  1. Reusable Towels
  2. Opt-out from Daily Room Cleaning
  3. Water-efficient toilets
  4. Refillable Water Stations
  5. Eco-friendly LED lighting
  6. Water-efficient showerheads
  7. Recycling plan in place
  8. Has a building with green spaces
  9. Locally sourced food offered
  10. Tours and activities organized by local guides and businesses

Globally, other top sustainable attributes observed include the removal of plastic straws, cups, cutlery and stirrers, and installation of double-glazed windows among other attributes.

Small changes make a big difference

Varun Grover, Country Head, Vietnam at Booking.com, commented: “We have seen continued interest among Vietnamese travelers, on their intent to travel more sustainably. Through the Travel Sustainable Badge on Booking.com we are able to assist these travelers find a sustainable accommodation and become better informed on the sustainable practices of these properties. Similarly, we are also seeing a rise in the properties listed on our platform with the travel sustainable badge as they recognize the importance of transitioning to become more sustainable properties. At Booking.com we not only make it easier for travelers to experience the world, but we also encourage them to do so while making more mindful and sustainable choices.”

To learn more about Booking.com’s full 2023 Sustainable Travel Research Report, please visit the Booking.com global media room.

Meta launches Threads – what is noteworthy?

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RMIT University Vietnam experts are available for comment on the recent introduction of the Threads platforms by Meta. Explore their overall points of views below and contact us if you want to interview any of our experts.

Dr Joshua Dwight – Lecturer of Information Technology, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, RMIT University Vietnam

  • Same technology, new outfit – this is Meta’s version of Twitter, which appears extremely similar to Twitter. Meta appears to strategically take advantage of Twitter’s disarray and acquire more technical talent, users, and advertisers.
  • Privacy and security issues will continue to be problematic for users of Meta and Threads.
  • Meta has not properly addressed social engineering issues on their social media assets (Facebook, Instagram, Threads, etc.). Platform moderation and identity management are not strengths or important features for Meta, as they use Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act and the First Amendment to sidestep accountability. So, I imagine scammers are joining Threads as we speak to deceive users through malvertising and fake identities.

Dr Nguyen Ngoc Thanh – Lecturer, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, RMIT University Vietnam

  • “Long story short” is a commonly used phrase to introduce a summary or concise version of a longer story or explanation. This ‘principle’ is widely applied by companies seeking innovation in their products and services, leading to many successes. We can see examples like TikTok, which offers a collection of short ad-style videos, and Twitter, which serves as a platform for short-form blogging and social media. In the past, Nokia leaders famously stated that all innovation in Nokia was focused on making the phone smaller and improving battery life.

It’s surprising that Facebook/Meta didn’t do this earlier.

  • The other important factor is that the user base is critical for any system. With Threads, Meta can leverage its already huge user base from Instagram, which will provide the necessary momentum for growth in terms of revenue, advertising, and support.

Dr Abdul Rohman – Senior Lecturer of Professional Communication, School of Communication & Design, RMIT University Vietnam

  • Threads is essentially Twitter, which is not widely used in Vietnam, thus in terms of market competitions it has no significant impact locally or as much as in the neighbouring countries such as Indonesia in which Twitter use is ubiquitous.
  • Threads promises to be a space for ‘positive vibes’ for users but will suffer from the same negative issues that have been hampering Meta, the mother company of Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Mis/disinformation will become more abundant as online influencers can easily share it while the information fed by Threads algorithms will exacerbate online polarisations.
  • The accessibility of Threads is less if compared to Twitter. Alt-text features are not automatic like they are on Twitter. Meta is still working on this matter, to make the platform more accessible, but that should have been done from the beginning to meet different needs of diverse users.

Storm Update #1: Maximum wind force at level 12, gusting at level 15, located 330km away from Quang Ninh. Heavy rain expected in the Northern region from tonight.

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According to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, in the past hours, the No. 1 storm moved quickly at a speed of 20-25km/h. From tonight, the North has heavy to very heavy rain.

According to the latest information from the NCHMF, at 7pm on July 17, the location of the storm’s center was at about 21.1 degrees North latitude; 111.1 degrees East longitude, about 330km from Mong Cai (Quang Ninh) to the Southeast. The strongest wind in the area near the center of the storm is strong at level 12 (118-133km/h), level 15.

At 7 am on July 18, there was a strong storm of level 10, level 13, about 110km from Mong Cai (Quang Ninh)

7 pm on the same day, there will be a strong storm at level 6, level 8 shock, on the mainland in the Northeast region of the North. The storm then moved to the northwest, moving about 20 km per hour.

At sea, the northern sea area of ​​the North East Sea has strong winds of level 8-9, the area near the center of a strong storm of level 11-12, level 15. The sea is fierce.

Furthermore, in the North of the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vy and Co To islands), the wind is gradually increasing to level 6-7, and later escalating to level 8-9. The area near the storm center is experiencing winds at level 10-11, gusting at level 13. Consequently, the sea is rough.

Meanwhile, on the mainland, from the early morning of July 18, the coastal area from Quang Ninh and Hai Phong experienced strong winds gradually increasing to level 6-7, while the area near the center of the storm faced winds at level 8-9, with gusts at level 11. Additionally, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Thai Binh provinces encountered strong winds at level 6 and gusts at level 8.

 

4 million computers in Vietnam susceptible to virus from Microsoft Office

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Security vulnerability in Microsoft Office software suite poses a risk of impacting numerous computers in Vietnam.

Bkav Security Company has recently issued a warning regarding a security vulnerability in the Microsoft Office software suite. This vulnerability is identified by the CVE-2023-21716 code. It is a highly severe vulnerability, nearly close to absolute severity (9.8/10).

Experts warn of the risk from a security hole on Microsoft Office.

Specifically, by exploiting this vulnerability, hackers can deploy widespread virus infection campaigns, thereby gaining remote control of devices, collecting and encrypting data, as well as downloading and executing other viruses.

Although a patch for this vulnerability has been available since February of this year, according to Bkav’s statistics, nearly 4 million computers in Vietnam are still at risk of virus attacks due to not being patched. In response to this situation, Bkav has released a free tool to scan for vulnerabilities and provides instructions for updating.

Bkav has developed the Microsoft Office vulnerability testing tool and is providing it for free on the website.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, Director General of Bkav’s Malware Research Center, “These types of vulnerabilities always attract hackers because they exist in commonly used document file formats. Additionally, updating the patch is not a simple task for devices without automatic update enabled, and not everyone can do it.”

“Bkav has now released a free tool to help users quickly check if their computers are affected by this vulnerability, as well as providing instructions to update the patch directly on the website. Users do not need to install anything and can run the tool immediately,” Mr. Dat shared.

@Vietnamnet 

Sony returns to Vietnam’s mobile market

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After disappearing from the Vietnamese market in 2019, Sony has surprised everyone by bringing back its Xperia product line to the domestic market.

On July 16, in Ho Chi Minh City, Sony unexpectedly reentered the Vietnamese smartphone market by introducing two Xperia models, the 1v and 10v.

According to Sony’s representative in Vietnam, the process of bringing Xperia smartphones back to Vietnam started in 2020. At that time, the representative was uncertain, but now they are confident after achieving their goal with the launch of new products.

A large number of Sony smartphone fans attended the launch. Photo: Anton Dat

One of the reasons Sony has returned to the Vietnamese smartphone market is the current trend of creative digital content development, with social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook encouraging users to easily create and personalize content. Additionally, there is still a sizable community of Xperia enthusiasts in the domestic market.

During this comeback, Sony unveiled two product lines: the premium Xperia 1v priced at VND 35,990,000 and the Xperia 10v priced at VND 12,490,000. Both models will be available for sale through Sony’s retail stores in Vietnam, both offline and online.

Xperia has maintained its distinctive design features, with a square, robust, and elegant design. The 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated camera button, characteristic of Sony smartphones, have been retained.

The launch event for the new Xperia models attracted a large number of enthusiastic fans. However, according to many industry experts, this comeback will face several challenges. It seems that Sony is still finding its way, as it is selling the products through its own systems without partnering with any local retailers.

In 2019, the Japanese electronics company decided to streamline its smartphone business in many global markets, focusing only on Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, several major markets such as Australia, Canada, India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia were included in the list of reduced investment and decreased product availability.

During this period, Sony smartphones gradually disappeared from the Vietnamese market as local retailers ceased selling the products. At that time, even the phone category vanished from the Sony Center online store, leaving only other products such as PlayStation game consoles, headphones, portable speakers, TVs, and cameras.

@Vietnamnet 

Da Nang International Fireworks Festival attracts nearly 1 million visitors

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After a three-year hiatus, the Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2023 has made a comeback and attracted a large number of tourists to the city, increasing by 29% compared to the 2019 period (prior to the Covid-19 pandemic).

On July 17th, during the 12th session of the 10th People’s Council of Danang, a report on the economic and social situation in the first six months of 2023 was presented by Mr. Ho Ky Minh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Danang. He stated that DIFF 2023, which was recently held after a three-year suspension due to the pandemic, has attracted a significant number of tourists.

Specifically, the number of visitors staying in the city during the festival period of over one month reached over 942,000, a 29% increase compared to the fireworks festival in 2019.

According to Mr. Ho Ky Minh, in the first six months of 2023, the number of guests served by accommodation establishments reached over 3.5 million, achieving 83% of the target for the year 2023. This figure is 2.1 times higher than the same period in 2022 and a 4.4% increase compared to the first six months of 2019 (3.35 million).

Among them, international visitors reached approximately 930,000, exceeding the target by 182% and more than 11 times higher than the same period in 2022. Domestic visitors reached over 2.57 million, achieving 69% of the target and showing an increase of nearly 68% compared to the same period in 2022 and over 38% compared to the first six months of 2019.

Danang International Fireworks Festival 2023 has left many beautiful impressions in the hearts of people and visitors

The revenue from accommodation and travel services in the first six months of 2023 reached 6,231 billion VND, a 99% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and a 12% increase compared to the first six months of 2019. Specifically, accommodation revenue reached approximately 4,277 billion VND, a nearly 77% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and a nearly 22% increase compared to the first six months of 2019. Travel revenue and tourism support activities reached approximately 1,954 billion VND, a 2.7-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022.

During the council meeting, Mr. Ngo Xuan Thang, Chairman of the Danang Fatherland Front Committee, stated that the people of Danang were excited for the official return of the international fireworks festival with the theme “A World Without Distance” after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During this period, the city has also organized numerous festivals, music events, and captivating art performances that have provided the people of Danang and tourists with a space for enjoyment and exploration, embodying the theme of the festival – ‘A World Without Distance.’ The people have high expectations that the success of the Danang International Fireworks Festival will create a lasting and positive impression of a vibrant and attractive city for tourists,” said Mr. Thang.

@Thanhnien.vn

Aviation continues to reduce prices to stimulate autumn tourism

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Airlines are beginning to implement various discount programs to attract tourists in the autumn season.

Vietnam Airlines, the national airline, is currently running the “Hello Autumn” program, offering discounted fares ranging from 15% to 30% on domestic and international flights, targeting groups of 4 to 6 passengers to stimulate travel demand in the last months of 2023.

The program is applicable for ticket purchases from 10th to 20th July, with travel dates from 16th August to 31st December. Specifically, on domestic routes, passengers purchasing standard economy, economy saver, and economy super saver tickets will receive a discount of up to 25% for groups of 4 or more passengers and 30% for groups of 6 or more passengers.

For international flights to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, passengers purchasing standard economy and economy saver tickets will receive a discount of 15% for groups of 4 or more passengers and 20% for groups of 6 or more passengers.

According to Vietnam Airlines’ statistics, the domestic aviation market recorded a 7% growth in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2019. Meanwhile, the international market has not fully recovered and has achieved just over 80% compared to the same period in 2019. To meet the increasing domestic travel demand during the peak summer season, the airline has proactively coordinated aircraft resources, added more domestic flights, ensured an abundant supply of seats, and offered attractive fares for passengers.

Prior to that, Bamboo Airways also implemented a promotional ticket sale program for 3 days from 12th to 14th July, with domestic flights starting from only 99,000 VND, 169,000 VND, and 199,000 VND per ticket. The travel period is from 16th August to 31st December. The discounted fares apply to most domestic routes (except flights to/from Con Dao).

As the year-end peak season approaches, Vietjet has also announced the opening of a series of new direct routes and various attractive promotional programs. Most recently, Vietjet’s inaugural flight marked the opening of a direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to Haneda Airport (Tokyo, Japan), which took off yesterday (15th July). With 7 round-trip flights per week, customers can easily travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Japan’s largest airport, ranking among the top airports in Asia.

Furthermore, from now until 31st December, Vietjet is offering customers the opportunity to hunt for tickets to fly to Tokyo, Japan, and other international routes of the airline every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with fares starting from 0 VND. The flexible travel period is from 10th August to 31st March 2024.

@Thanhnien.vn 

3 airports are closed before Typhoon Talim hits

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The Northern Airport Authority‘s chief stated that a decision has just been taken to close Noi Bai, Cat Bi, and Van Don airports owing to the threat of Typhoon Talim (typhoon No. 1).

Accordingly, Cat Bi and Van Don airports will be closed from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on July 18. Meanwhile, the airport in Noi Bai is closed from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on the same day.

The Port Authority also demanded that airlines and related units be on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, altering flight schedules to accommodate the evolution of rain induced by storms. With two airports in the region immediately hit by the storm, Cat Bi (Hai Phong) and Van Don (Quang Ninh), units must plan to anchor or relocate aircraft parked at the port.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting stated in an emergency storm alert issued on the evening of July 17 that at 7 p.m., the center of storm Talim (typhoon number 1) was around 330 kilometers southeast of Mong Cai (Quang Ninh). During the last few hours, the hardest wind sustained level 12.

The storm will proceed northwest at a constant pace of 20 km/h tonight and tomorrow, with the potential of degrading owing to friction with the terrain of the Leizhou peninsula (China). As it approached the Northeast of the North on the evening of July 18, the storm weakened into a tropical depression.

The storm influenced the Northeast and Viet Bac regions, which experienced very heavy rain with a common amount of 200-300mm during the night of July 17 to July 19. It can rain more than 400mm in each batch in certain spots. Meanwhile, rainfall in the Northwest and Northern Delta ranged from 100 to 200mm.

@dantri.com.vn

Unstoppable Adds Support for ENS Domains

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The domain provider will also offer auto renewal for the .eth domains as well as the ability to use fiat payment methods like credit cards.

Digital identity platform Unstoppable Domains is adding support for Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain endings, growing its roster of Web3 offerings.

With .eth domain endings, holders will be able to house their digital identity on the Ethereum blockchain. For those unfamiliar with .eth domains, the simplest way to think of them is that they take your long wallet address (i.e. 0x74Fe1103d28fb79F4d83800003983390Dfc61234) and let you register a simpler name like “me.eth”

Unstoppable aims to bring new users to .eth by offering them for sale on the same platform they already offer .crypto, .nft and .polygon domain endings.

The company is rolling out additional features to ease ownership of .eth domain names, such as offering auto-renewal for Ethereum-based domains, so users don’t have to remember to renew their domain ending at its expiry and risk the loss of a highly-coveted domain name.

It’s also implementing a vault to custody buyers’ domains before they connect them to their wallets and will support fiat payments allowing customers to buy the domain endings with credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay as well as with cryptocurrencies.

With 3.6 million registered Unstoppable Domains and 2.7 million ENS domain holders, the two providers are leading the industry in digital identity preservation. Matt Gould, CEO and Co-Founder of Unstoppable Domains told CoinDesk that making it easy for new users to buy .eth domains will draw customers who aren’t Web3 natives.

“People want to have a one place to manage all their Web3 domains across all different platforms,” said Gould. “They don’t want to have to think about having to pay with a whole bunch of different types of cryptocurrency or having 1,000 different wallets they have to keep track of…that’s kind of that’s the experience that we’re leaning into.”

While users who purchase a .eth domain from Unstoppable will be able to access ENS integrations, holders will not be able to access Unstoppable integrations at launch. Gould noted that the company is working towards developing an industry standard through its participation in the Web3 Domain Alliance, an organization that aims to help define what the future of digital indeed will look like across the crypto space.

“We want to get everyone together in the same room to talk about those things that help support each other, to share tips and tricks on what’s working in their communities, for how to make things move forward, and then also to set standards for the industry,” said Gould.

Unstoppable has been busy in the bear market, penning partnerships and rolling out support for new domain endings. In February, it added crypto browser Opera-compatible domain endings .crypto and .zil. In March, it teamed up with Polygon to release .polygon domain endings, granting holders access to over 750 applications on the network.

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