Vietnam’s Con Dao Island Goes Green with Electric Buses

Vietnam’s Con Dao Island Goes Green with Electric Buses

For the first time ever, Vietnam’s tourism island of Con Dao is launching public bus services, which will operate entirely on electricity.

Renowned for its untouched natural beauty and peaceful appeal, the island is introducing six electric bus lines linking the airport, marketplace, sightseeing spots, and living neighborhoods. This initiative forms part of an extended effort to ease road overcrowding, lower pollution levels, and encourage eco-friendly travel as more tourists arrive each year.

Every route will operate 40-seater electric buses at 15-minute intervals, spanning almost 72 kilometers throughout the island. These services will connect the downtown area with the airport, Ben Dam Port, as well as the northern and southern coastlines. One of the routes will cater to major tourist attractions, hotels, and nearby lodgings. This represents the initial introduction of a public transport network in Con Dao, marking an important step in its growth.

As stated by Pham Vuong Bao, vice director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transportation Management Center, rising population numbers and higher tourism levels have put stress on local facilities. Limited public transport choices mean electric buses can alleviate road congestion and support a plan for eco-friendly, advanced transportation.


A greener future

The updated bus network forms only a portion of Con Dao’s initiative toward sustainable development. Officials additionally seek to promote the transition of locals from traditional motorcycles fueled by petrol to eco-friendly electric models. Beginning in 2026, individuals purchasing e-bikes will benefit from reduced charges related to registration and license plate processing. Residents with limited income will qualify for substantial monetary assistance, along with access to affordable loan options designed to ease the expense of acquiring such vehicles.

This initiative is part of an overarching plan aimed at transforming Con Dao and Can Gio into areas with minimal emissions as per Ho Chi Minh City’s extended environmental approach. The overall funding for this project is projected at VND2.158 trillion (US$82.3 million), where public resources account for almost one-third, and the remaining portion comes from private sector contributions. Approximately VND590 billion will be allocated toward facilitating the shift to electric motorcycles.

The island is also set to link up with the national power network in September, an initiative expected to provide more stable electrical supply and support the growth of renewable energy options like roof-mounted solar panels and ocean-based wind farms.

Previously, Con Dao belonged to Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province. Following a nationwide administrative reform beginning in July, when Ba Ria-Vung Tau was combined with Binh Duong and integrated into Ho Chi Minh City, it transitioned into a specialized administrative area within the newly formed city.

The group of islands covers almost 76 square kilometers and consists of 16 islands, with Con Son being the biggest. With increasing tourism, facilities like transport, accommodation, and restaurants have rapidly developed, contributing to the island’s growing reputation as one of Vietnam’s emerging tourist spots.

At present, Con Dao has approximately 8,500 vehicles, mostly powered by petrol or diesel. However, authorities aim for all motorcycles on the island to transition to electricity by 2030, with all public and taxi services utilizing renewable energy sources. Public transportation is expected to cover every resident of the area. The ultimate objective is to boost public transit ridership to 80%, thereby enhancing both accessibility and sustainability on Con Dao.

Latest Ominous Sign: Las Vegas in Decline as Prices Rise and Trump Tourism Dips

Latest Ominous Sign: Las Vegas in Decline as Prices Rise and Trump Tourism Dips

Las Vegas
has revealed another alarming indication of its downturn, with rising costs and consumer protests having caused tourists to leave.

The practice of tipping in Las Vegas has dropped by up to 50 percent,
according to Fox News
.

Employees are attributing a significant decrease in tourists to their reduced number of clients and diminished income.

“No tip taxes, that’s a great idea,” Charlie Mungo, 36, a tattoo artist based in downtown Las Vegas, said to the
Wall Street Journal
regarding President Trump’s latest policy

But it doesn’t truly benefit us much if there’s nobody to learn from.

Mungo mentioned that he currently earns approximately $1,500 per month and has lost almost one-third of his customers since Canadian travelers, who previously accounted for 30% of his clientele, have ceased visiting.

Several people attribute the situation to economic issues, increasing expenses, and potential political sanctions against the city.

Certain service employees are blaming
Donald Trump
claiming that his administration has caused a decrease in foreign tourists, whereas some argue the actual issue lies with Las Vegas itself.


“We’re all beginning to lose our composure,” Mungo remarked.

Jacob Soto, 22, who works as a manager at Pinkbox Doughnuts located in downtown Las Vegas, shared with the Wall Street Journal that his credit card gratuities have dropped from $200 per week to between $100 and $150.

“I somewhat depend on tips by the end of the day,” he remarked.

In the r/VegasLocals section of Reddit, a bartender mentioned she previously earned roughly 80 cents per drink.

“Currently, I’m earning approximately 10 cents,” the server wrote.

A new server joined: “We’re putting in three times as much work as before but earning only a fourth of what we used to.”

As per the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, total number of visitors to Sin City has decreased by over 6 percent this year.

In March, Las Vegas received 3.39 million tourists, marking an approximate eight percent decrease compared to the 3.68 million visitors recorded in February.


In April, more than 3.3 million guests were recorded, representing a decrease of 5.1 percent compared to the previous year.

Hotel occupancy stood at 82.9% during the same period, versus 85.3% in March 2024.

Midweek attendance saw a drop of 2.5% during the same timeframe, even though over half a million individuals participated in meetings at the location.

In June, there were reports of an 11.3% decrease in tourists when compared to June 2024, with international visits to the city declining by 10%.

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Morocco Sees 2.7 Million Tourists in July 2025

Morocco Sees 2.7 Million Tourists in July 2025

The tourism industry in Morocco continued its robust growth during July 2025, with 2.7 million tourists visiting, representing a 6% rise from July of the previous year.

This expansion involved both global visitors and Moroccans residing overseas, highlighting Morocco’s lasting attractiveness. As per an announcement from the Ministry of Tourism, the count of international travelers hit 875,000, reflecting a 2% increase compared to last year, whereas visits from the Moroccan expatriate community increased by 7%, totaling 1.8 million.

These numbers support the ongoing revival and expansion of the industry. As of July 2025, Morocco reported around 11.6 million visitor entries, marking a 16% rise from the corresponding timeframe in 2024. Expatriate Moroccans made up 52% of all visitors.

In response to the most recent statistics, Fatima Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy, stated: “Morocco is more than just an area waiting to be explored; it is a location that carries strong emotional ties for countless travelers around the globe. This ongoing expansion is fueled by local travel, our expatriate community, and guests from abroad.”

Food Security: Unlocking Solutions with Digital Technologies – NSE

The engineers in Nigeria, through the support of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), have stated that the nation’s current food security issues might be addressed by utilizing digital technologies.

During her address at the third annual Engineer Lanre Sagaya Distinguished Lecture held by the NSE, Ilorin chapter, on Tuesday, with the theme “Addressing Food Security in Nigeria Through Digital Infrastructure: Prospects, Challenges and Way Forward,” Engineer Margaret Aina Oguntala, who serves as the President and Chairman-in-Council of the organization, highlighted how embracing digital technology could open up fresh avenues for expanding agriculture, optimizing distribution networks, and guaranteeing that food supplies reach all parts of the country.

The president of NSE mentioned that the topic of the lecture could not be timelier or more important, emphasizing that the matter of food security has become even more urgent amidst the worldwide economic downturn.

We can’t overlook the reality that food security stands as an essential cornerstone of national progress, and as engineers, it falls upon us to offer cutting-edge solutions to address this issue. The digital framework holds the power to revolutionize how we handle food production, distribution, and usage within Nigeria.

Through the use of digital technologies, we can uncover fresh chances for expanding agriculture, simplify logistics processes, and guarantee that sustenance arrives at all parts of our country.

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The guest lecturer, Engineer Dr. Umar Bindir—a previous advisor to President Muhammadu Buhari—stated that achieving food security involves leveraging technology, skill, and information to produce sufficient quantities of high-quality food items for the public at reasonable costs.

Bindir further stated that the country needs to enhance its dedication to ensuring food security, emphasizing that this objective will be met when scientists, experts, agricultural entrepreneurs, and various professionals collaborate to generate sufficient quantities of both plant-based and livestock-derived food for the population.

Additionally, the Chairman of the NSE, Ilorin chapter, Engineer Dr. Olusola Ogunjirin, stated that the yearly event known as the Distinguished Lecture Series functions as an essential forum for intellectual discussions, exchange of knowledge, and strengthening collaborations between engineers, policy makers, and sector heads.

“Every year, this lecture offers us crucial perspectives on current engineering difficulties and advancements that propel our nation’s progress,” he stated.

Dr. Ogunjirin said that the event was not just a lecture but a celebration of excellence, professionalism, and the remarkable contributions of Engineer Sagaya to the field of engineering and national development.

FURTHER READING ON THE LATEST HEADLINES IN NIGERIA’S TRIBUNE

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Syndigate.info
).