A solar power system installed on the roof of a factory in HCM City. The city has launched an award to encourage rental houses to do the same. (Photo courtesy of EVNHCMC)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) - An annual award aimed at encouraging rental houseowners to use rooftop solar power has been launched by Ho Chi Minh City.
The “Rental houses using green energy” award will grant 280 prizes each worth 10million VND (430 USD) every year.
This is part of efforts being made to promote economical, efficient andsustainable use of energy by resident households.
The City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC), which has launched the award, will helpthe owners of rental houses upgrade their existing power system and promote thedevelopment of renewable energy.
The award duration will run from December to November (next year).
A total amount of 14 billion VND (601,760 USD) is expected to be awarded to thewinners in the 2021-25 period.
To participate, the owners must register with the EVNHCMC for using renewableenergy system such as rooftop solar power and charge tenants a reasonable pricefor monthly electricity bills.
The houses' lighting system must have more than 50 percent of LED lights, whichuse 50-60 percent less electricity than other lights.
They should also ensure environmentalsanitation, with no littering and indiscriminate discharging of untreatedwastewater, and maintain other good practices of a cultured, civilized urbanlifestyle, the organiser said.
The EVNHCMC’s energy-saving programmes haveachieved significant success to date.
Last year, the city saved 583.9 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity,contributing a reduction of nearly 440,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, accordingto the EVNHCMC.
In the first four months of this year, the energy-saving programs have savedmore than 179 million kWh of electricity./.
Vu Phong Energy Group JSC and British power firm Shire Oak International have signed a deal to develop rooftop solar power systems at factories run by the Republic of Korea’s Hwaseung Enterprise Co. Ltd. in Vietnam.
The Spanish government and enterprises will accompany Vietnam in accelerating energy transition and expanding bilateral cooperation in other areas, according to Ambassador of Spain to Vietnam Pilar Méndez Jiménez.
Gia Lai should make renewable energy a key economic sector and pay more attention to developing tourism and processing industries, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed at the Central Highlands province’s 90th founding anniversary celebration ceremony held in Pleiku City on May 21 evening.
Vietnam Electricity (EVN) said it will make adjustments to the power grid to ensure power supply for daily public energy use in the second quarter - the peak of the dry season, when power generation becomes a serious issue.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
A solar power system installed on the roof of a factory in HCM City. The city has launched an award to encourage rental houses to do the same. (Photo courtesy of EVNHCMC) 
