Russia's Zarubezhneft eyes Vietnam offshore wind power projects
Russian oil-gas giant Zarubezhneft is looking to expand its operations in Vietnam to offshore wind power projects, general director Sergey Ivanovich Kudryashov told Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Monday.
He said Zarubezhneft was speeding up administrative procedures for new projects in Vietnam and offered suggestions to Vietnamese authorities on ways to boost the progress of some projects.
Russia would continue facilitating Russia-based projects of Rusvietpetro, a joint venture between Petrovietnam and Zarubezhneft, both state-owned oil-gas firms, Kudryashov added.

Zarubezhneft general director Sergey Ivanovich Kudryashov (left) and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting in Hanoi on April 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.
PM Chinh welcomed Zarubezhneft's interest in expanding its Vietnam operations, including offshore wind power projects.
He asked Zarubezhneft to work with Petrovietnam to highlight detailed suggestions for Vietnamese authorities to address various challenges in project implementation.
Chinh said Vietnam has always appreciated the support it has received from the former Soviet Union and now Russia, especially in the oil-gas sector. The Vietnamese government will further facilitate bilateral cooperation in oil-gas and renewable energy, he added.
Chinh also said that Vietnam highly respected its traditional friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.
Zarubezhneft is set to begin harvesting next year the 10.03 billion cubic meter Thien Nga-Hai Au gas field, 320 kilometers southeast off the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Zarubezhneft EP Vietnam B.V., the Vietnamese subsidiary of Zarubezhneft, acquired rights to the gas field in June 2023.
Zarubezhneft will start exploiting the gas field starting with 149.6 million cubic meters in 2025 and receive first gas flows from Q4/2026. The exploitation is set to peak at about 620 million cubic meters annually in 2026-2033 and fall to 26.9 million cubic meters by 2047.
In July 2023, Vietsovpetro had said it planned to invest in several offshore wind power projects totaling 2,000 MW in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh. The Vietnam-Russia joint venture wants to collaborate with Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), in implementing the projects, representatives of both firms have informed Tra Vinh authorities.
- Read More
Institutional breakthroughs to provide solid foundation for heightened business confidence: economists
At a meeting of the National Assembly's Economic Committee in early February, the government proposed the 2025 GDP growth be "8% or more", instead of 6.5-7% set last November. The Investor introduces opinions of some leading Vietnamese economists on this proposed target.
Economy - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 8:02 am GMT+7
Vietnam consumer credit enters new growth cycle
After the decrease in consumer capital demand, negative growth, and peaking bad debts in 2023, Vietnam’s consumer financial market is entering a new growth cycle, backed by positive signs from the macroeconomic environment.
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 3:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam property investors seek new opportunities in provincial markets
Real estate investors in Vietnam, both individuals and organizations, are shifting their investments from city centers to suburban regions and neighboring provinces where land remains abundant and significant investments are being made in infrastructure, particularly in transportation.
Real Estate - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Five Vietnam pilgrimage destinations perfect for spiritual seekers: Booking.com
Booking.com, the world's leading digital travel company, has suggested some destinations in Vietnam for those seeking spiritual enrichment and a chance for reflection and connection, including Ba Den mountain and Bai Dinh pagoda.
Travel - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:59 am GMT+7
Malaysia takes the lead in data center development
Malaysia is making efforts to align with the global trend towards digitalization, which is driving demand for data centers, cloud computing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Southeast Asia - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:57 am GMT+7
WB sees Thai fiscal risks mounting due to spending surge
Thailand’s pursuit of an expansionary fiscal policy strategy to propel growth faces the risk of rising costs for elderly care, investment and the need to keep public debt level to sustainable levels, according to the World Bank.
Southeast Asia - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:41 am GMT+7
Vietnam mining stocks rally amid global trade tension
Shares of Vietnam’s mining companies have rallied since early this month, fueled by heightened global trade tensions following the start of Donald Trump’s second term as the U.S. president.
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:36 am GMT+7
Online purchase below VND2 mln may be exempt from Vietnam import tax
The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance has proposed exempting goods purchased through e-commerce platforms worth no more than VND2 million ($78) from import tariff, with an annual purchase limit of VND96 million ($3,781).
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Malaysia expected to remain magnet for FDI
Malaysia’s foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to remain robust in the long term, but there could be repercussions in the short term as investors hold back on their investment decisions amid heightened global uncertainties.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 9:01 pm GMT+7
Laos to build $1.9 bln wind power plant to export electricity to Vietnam
The Lao Government and Chitchareune Construction - a Lao builder will jointly build the 1,200 MW Nong wind power plant, with an investment of $1.9 billion, to export electricity to Vietnam.
Energy - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 8:46 pm GMT+7
Malaysia needs more funding for semiconductor sector
Malaysia needs more funding for the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) to enhance its competitiveness with neighboring countries, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:31 pm GMT+7
Thailand considers easing rules on income from overseas
Thailand’s government is considering easing personal income tax rules for individuals’ overseas income to encourage the remittance of those funds back into the country, said a senior official.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:29 pm GMT+7
Nissan to close factory in Thailand
Japanese automaker Nissan has announced plans to close one of its two automobile factories in Thailand this year, following the collapse of merger talks with Honda.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:10 pm GMT+7
Vietcombank leads Vietnamese banks in 2024 pre-tax profit
Vietcombank reported a pre-tax profit of VND42.2 trillion ($1.66 billion) last year, ranking as the most profitable Vietnamese lender, according to the Vietnam Banking Association (VNBA).
Banking - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's leading trade firm Hapro appoints new general director
Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro), a leading producer and exporter of agricultural produces in Vietnam, has appointed deputy general director Duong Thi Lam as general director, effective from March 1, 2025.
Companies - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 2:18 pm GMT+7
Private Vietnamese lender DongA Bank renamed Vikki Bank
DongA Bank, a private lender in Vietnam, has changed its name to Vikki Bank, with approval from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).
Banking - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 10:59 am GMT+7