The latest research of the IFC shows that as of October 2019, Vietnam had a total of 116 green buildings certified by the most popular green building certification systems, including LEED developed by the US Green Building Council, LOTUS by the Vietnam Green Building Council, and EDGE by the IFC. Vietnam is undergoing rapid urbanisation and the first green buildings...

According to the forecast by the state-owned Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) Group, power output in 2020 is expected to reach more than 261.45 billion kWh, increasing 9.1 percent compared to 2019 in adherence with the year’s socioeconomic growth plan. Concerns about power supply Based on the calculation of electricity supply and demand in 2020, ensuring electricity supply for the dry season...

The Vietnamese stock market has been reviving spectacularly in the first half of April, regaining nearly 100 points after the gloomy March and producing one of the best performances among stock markets around the globe. Accordingly, from the 659 points on March 30, Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index has rebounded sharply in the first two weeks of April to surpass 770 points on...

On April 1, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) reported to the Prime Minister on the proposal to reduce electricity tariffs for many customers to remove difficulties in their production and business under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the proposal of MOIT, the tariffs reduce by 10% for household customers using electricity at the levels...

A slew of sizeable liquefied natural gas-fired power projects have been in the development pipeline in the past year as a way to replenish national power sources as  Vietnam turns on a greener growth path. Earlier this month, the prime minister allowed Long An I and Long An II thermal power plants that were already in the revised Power Development...

The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) informed that its financial targets in the first quarter of 2020 could not reach as planned because of “double impact” from Covid-19 pandemic and low oil prices. According to PVN, the outputs of the group main products in the first quarter of 2020 were as follows: Oil production exceeded 10.1% quarter plan by and...

The new FiT comes nine months after the previous one outlined in Decree No.11/2017/QD-TTg expired on June 30, 2019. On April 6, the prime minister signed Decree No.13/2020/QD-TTg about the new selling price for solar power. Accordingly, the price for floating solar power is 7.79 US cents per kWh and normal solar power is 7.09 US cents per kWh. In addition,...

Offshoots of industrial real estate development in Vietnam, particularly cold storage facilities and factories, have boosted demand for smart, eco-friendly materials. While most industries have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, both production lines at the Pisocy fireproof panel factory of Phuong Nam Soundproofing Insulating Co. are still running. Workers are fully equipped and protected with hats and masks. Hand sanitizer bottles are available in every corner of...

After several years of negotiations, an Asia Pacific trade deal is set to be signed in 2020 that is expected to help drive deep partnerships across the continent. Executive director of the Asia Trade Centre Deborah Elms shares her viewpoint on why the deal is a game-changer, as well as explains the advantages and disadvantages for the business community....

Free trade agreement (FTA) generates both winners and losers, and the formation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is no exception. This column argues that tariff reduction under RCEP is likely to reduce ASEAN’s exports as it will erode trade preferences of ASEAN granted by existing FTA partners. RCEP is a regional agreement that aims to liberalize trade and investment, and to...