Thai company pours $1.76 billion into Vietnamese wind power projectsThailand’s largest solar energy company, Superblock Pcl., plans to invest $1.76 billion to install 700 megawatts (MW) of wind farms in Vietnam. Vietnam currently has a wind power capacity of 140MW, with a goal to reach 6,000MW by 2030, according to government data. Financing for the Vietnamese projects will come from its turnkey partner, a state-owned Chinese construction company, and the sites will be built on land leased for 49 years. Next to Vietnam, Jormsup said Superblock plans to expand wind and solar capacity in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Cong Ly kicks off two more wind power projectsPhu Yen province receives wind power mega projectBến Tre approves Nexif Energy’s wind power projectWind power projects may take to sky through FiT hikeTra Vinh gives licence for wind power projectBac Lieu: Foreign investors eye wind power projectsEnfinity wind power project to start construction in October 2018Wind power holds key to a sustainable energy future.

Seven flights between HN, HCM City added before TetNational flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and low-cost Jetstar Pacific scheduled seven extra flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to meet high travel demand before Tet, the traditional New Year of Vietnam. The flights, with about 1,300 seats, are operated from February 12-14, or the 27th – 29th of the last lunar month as flights between the two metropolises were always 90-99 percent full over the last few days. According to the plan, Vietnam Airlines runs two more flights a day, one departing from Hanoi at 14:50 and another taking off from HCM City at 18:00. Jetstar Pacific operates an additional flight from HCM City to Hanoi at 10:30 on February 12. To implement the plan, the airlines had to carry out aircraft maintenance at night so planes can be ready for use in the days.

Ambassadors extend Tet wishes to all of Vietnamese peopleFemale Ambassadors of New Zealand, Norway, Canada and Switzerland have visited the Temple of Literature in Hanoi and wished all Vietnamese people, especially girls and women a cozy traditional Tet and a happy New Year as the Lunar New Year is approaching. Four female ambassadors with the asked scripts bearing wishes for Vietnamese people. Meanwhile, wishing a prosperous New Year for Vietnam and its people, especially wonderful Vietnamese women, Swiss Ambassador Beatrice Maser stressed that Vietnamese women in happiness means a prosperous Vietnam. After sending Tet wishes to all Vietnamese people, these female ambassadors visited calligraphers and asked for the script they liked. Choosing “Manh me” (Strong) script, the Norwegian Ambassador expected strong Vietnamese women’s important contributions to the families and society would be fully recognized in the year.

Seven investors registered to buy all Vinasugar II shares at auctionThe Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) estimates to earn VND664 billion ($29.25 million) after the auction of Vietnam Sugarcane and Sugar Corporation II JSC (Vinasugar II). The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) has just published the list of investors and the registered shares to be bought at MARD's divestment of the State's holdings in Vinasugar II. There are seven investors taking part in the auction with total registered shares of over 63,7 million, 16,000 shares higher than the share volume put on offer. Vinasugar II offers to auction over 63.69 million shares, equalling 93 per cent of its charter capital on February 13 at the initial price of VND10.420 per share. The revenue of Vinasugar II hit VND448.7 billion ($20 million) in 2016, with an after-tax profit of VND29.9 billion ($1.32 million).

Saigon Heat defeat Westports Malaysia DragonsViet Nam’s Saigon Heat defeated Westports Malaysia Dragons 114-81 at the ASEAN Basketball League held at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Việt Nam’s Saigon Heat vs Westports Malaysia Dragons at the ASEAN Basketball League held at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vnThe Heat’s 33-point win is the franchise’s biggest win against Malaysia. The Dragons took the lead in the first few minutes of the first quarter, with Joshua Munzon scoring 10 points. They played outstandingly to help the Heat win 114-81.

Textile exports to China growingThough Viet Nam remains a big importer of textile feedstock and accessories from China, its rising exports to China is a promising sign, according to the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group. Last year, Viet Nam’s imports from China included over $6 billion worth of silk, $2 billion worth of leather and $800 million worth of threads. However, according to the Viet Nam Textile & Apparel Association (Vitas), textile exports to China have been rising steadily, going up from $2.2 billion in 2015 to $3.2 billion last year. Since that country has the world’s largest population, its market can be extensively segmented offering a great opportunity for local textile products. Viet Nam’s textile and garment exports were worth $31 billion last year.

Mau Son cable car project cancelled due to investor problemsAuthorities of Lang Son have withdrawn the investment license of a project to build a cable car to Mau Son Mountain due to some problems related to its investors. Mau Son MoutainThe VND3-trillion (USD136.3 million) project is invested by Nui Tuyet Mau Son Joint Stock Company which comprises four shareholders. In October 2016, the project was provided with investment licence to build the 5.7-kilometre cable car route and other tourism facilities on Mau Son Mountain. Apart from this, the investor also needed to deposit around VND20 billion for the project implementation as regulated. Local authorities have worked with the investor on the project for several times, but the situation has not improved.

Social News 12/2Police seize 117 kilos of smuggled firecrackersThe smuggled firecrackers are found being hidden in travel bags. He hoped the Chinese firm, which currently employs more than 100 Vietnamese workers, will create the best conditions for Vietnamese workers and cooperate with the embassy to seek the most proper ways to address any disagreements. In the northern province of Hung Yen, the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs have set aside over 20 billion VND to support the needy during Tet. Mastercard forecast that some 7.5 million Vietnamese travelers will venture outside the country in 2021, increasing from only 4.8 million in 2016. Binh presented 50 gifts to 13 heroic Vietnamese mothers, 12 war invalids, and 25 social policy beneficiary and ethnic minority households in Ninh Thuan.

Trọng said the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat and the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission imposed disciplinary measures on many Party Committees and Party organisations at different levels, as well as on Party officials and members, including those holding high positions, for violating the law. Located in a politically strategic and natural disaster-prone region, the Military Zone 5 has paid attention to fighting hostile forces who attempt to sabotage the national construction cause. Addressing the session, PM Phuc hailed soldiers, officers, Party members of the Military Zone 5 and locals for their efforts and achievements. He agreed on principle with the Military Zone 5’s suggestion on building patrol roads along the border line and upgrading military barracks. In 2017, units under the Military Zone 5 built over 400 charity houses, found and reburied over 230 sets of martyrs’ remains.

PM orders support for workers abandoned by South Korean employerPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued a statement on February 11 ordering authorities in southern Dong Nai province to support workers abandoned by their South Korean employer just before the Tet holiday. The South Korean director of KL Texwell Vina, a garment company fully-owned by South Korea’s Kwanglim Group, together with eleven South Korean managers, reportedly left Vietnam on February 8 while still owing VND13.7 billion ($605,540) in salaries to workers. The company also owes VND17.5 billion ($773,500) in social insurance contributions, which haven’t been paid since last August. More than 600 workers at a garment company in Ho Chi Minh City staged a strike for more than a week to demand salaries be paid after their South Korean employer disappeared. The Fenix Knitting Company in Thu Duc district in Ho Chi Minh City declared bankruptcy last November, owing VND13.5 billion ($596,700) in wages and social insurance contributions to more than 200 workers.

Remittances to add impetus to property sector in 2018Overseas remittances will continue adding a vital impetus to the economy, including the property sector in 2018, according to Le Hoang Chau, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association. Overseas remittances will continue adding a vital impetus to the property sector in 2018. Last year, remittances were estimated at 13.8 billion USD, up 20 percent from 2016’s figure of 11.5 billion USD. A thriving economy and an ease of the Land Law that allows foreigners to own houses in Vietnam are encouraging Vietnamese expats to send more money home. Remittances are no longer only a form of aid from Vietnamese expats to their families.

People enjoy warm weather during TetThe National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has predicted a warm Tet for northern provinces as the cold spell weakens from February 13. In Hanoi, the temperature on February 16 - the first day of the Lunar New Year - is expected to reach 23 degree Celcius, with a cloudy yet warm weather. For the first four days of the new year, it will be warm in Hanoi, with a maximum temperature of 26 degree Celsius and minimum temperature of 15 degree Celcius. However, February 20, the fifth day of the new year, will be colder.In Ho Chi Minh City and other southern provinces, it will be cooler during Tet, with a temperature of some 30 degree Celcius.In central Da Nang City, the weather in the first four days of the new year will be pleasant, with a temperature of some 25-28 degree Celcius. The latest cold spell, which started on January 27 and is expected to end on February 13, has killed over 2,100 cattle and poultry.

Transport businesses prepare for Tet holiday influxVietNamNet Bridge – Transport businesses, including railway and buses, have prepared plans to serve the massive influx of passengers travelling during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, Vietnam News Agency reported. The committee has also asked transport companies to be ready to provide additional vehicles when needed. According to regulations, if businesses want to increase fares, they must submit proposals to transport departments and then publish the new fares. But during the Tet holiday, due to the enormous demand of travellers, many coach businesses increased fares without permission. The Urban Traffic Centre was asked to co-operate with the Ha Noi Transport Corporation to increase the number of urban bus trips to coach and railway stations, and airports before and after Tet.

Traffic accident kills one, injures 10 in Dong NaiOne motorbike driver was killed and 10 people were injured in a traffic accident on Saturday night in a stretch of National Highway No 20 running through the southern province of Dong Nai’s Gia Tan 1 Commune. The accident reportedly happened after a bus crashed into a 7-seat car while the two vehicles were travelling in the same direction. After the crash, the car hit a motorbike, killing the bike’s 58-year-old driver. The bus then hit a coach that was travelling in the opposite direction, injuring the bus driver, the coach driver and four passengers in the two vehicles. Local police are investigating the cause of the accident.

VN shares predicted to trade marginally before Tet holidayShares are expected to move modestly in the coming two trading sessions as investors settle trading before the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, while concerns remain following recent turbulence in global markets. Furthermore, the unlisted market index fell 4 per cent after the five trading sessions of the week. In the first two sessions of the week, Viet Nam’s stock market lost some $14 billion in total market capitalisation. According to brokerage companies, investors will trade quietly in the next two sessions, before the Vietnamese stock markets close for the Tet holiday. “Given the sentiments before the week-long holiday, the market will remain dull, with declining liquidity,” Bao Viet Securities Company (BVSC) said in its weekend report.