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As air pollution continues to worsen in major urban centers, Ho Chi Minh City—the most populous city in Vietnam—is gearing up for an ambitious transformation of its two-wheeled transportation landscape. Over the next 2 to 3 years, the city plans to convert 400,000 gasoline-powered motorbikes into electric ones.

This initiative goes beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It signals a bold move toward sustainable urban development, offering a cost-effective solution for hundreds of thousands of ride-hailing and delivery drivers—workers who now form the backbone of the country’s digital economy.

The Green Shift: Converting 400,000 Motorbikes to Electric

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS), the proposal is entering its finalization phase, with a detailed roadmap expected to be announced in July. The ultimate goal is that by 2027, 100% of all motorbikes used for passenger and delivery services will run on electricity.

The primary focus will be ride-hailing drivers working for platforms like Grab, Gojek, Be, and Baemin, as well as independent delivery riders—all of whom rely on gasoline-powered bikes for daily operations. It's estimated that around 400,000 two-wheelers are currently in service in this sector in Ho Chi Minh City alone.

Fuel Costs: A Daily Burden for Tech-Enabled Drivers

One of the city's major concerns is the operating cost borne by drivers. According to a survey of over 400 drivers conducted by HIDS, the average daily travel distance is between 80 to 120 kilometers, consuming about VND 70,000 to 100,000 worth of gasoline each day.

Worse yet, because drivers often face traffic jams, heavy loads, and stop-and-go conditions during peak hours, fuel consumption can be 20% to 40% higher than normal. In comparison, the cost of charging an electric bike is only about VND 20,000 per day. This means drivers could save between VND 1 to 2 million per month by switching to electric vehicles.

Strong Financial Support from the City

Recognizing that not every driver can afford to shell out tens of millions of dong for a new electric vehicle, the city has outlined a comprehensive financial support program:

• Interest Rate Subsidies: Drivers can take out loans to buy electric bikes with an interest subsidy of 2% from the city budget. For instance, if the market rate is 8%, drivers will only need to pay 6%.

• Tailored Installment Plans: HIDS is working with CEP Microfinance and several banks to offer 24–30 month installment plans. The monthly payments are designed to match the amount drivers would typically spend on fuel—essentially making the switch cost-neutral.

• Waiving Initial Fees: New electric vehicle buyers will be exempt from registration and license plate fees, saving up to VND 3 million.

• VAT Refund Per Trip: For each electric trip worth VND 80,000, drivers could get a VAT refund of VND 6,400—something that has never been offered before.

Phasing Out Old, Polluting Motorbikes

For aging gasoline-powered motorbikes that no longer meet emission standards or require costly repairs, the city plans to implement a buy-back and scrappage program. Businesses involved in motorbike recycling will also be eligible for preferential loans to develop green recycling chains.

Electric Infrastructure: The Bottleneck That Must Be Solved

Despite the clear economic and environmental benefits, the switch to electric vehicles comes with challenges:

• Long Charging Times: A major inconvenience for high-mileage drivers who need quick turnarounds.

• Limited Charging Stations: Especially problematic in densely populated residential areas and narrow alleys.

• Unreliable Backup Power Supply: As demand spikes, the city must ensure a stable power supply and a resilient energy infrastructure.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to develop a network of charging stations, rest stops, and battery-swapping hubs powered by renewable energy. Investors in electric infrastructure will also receive interest rate support.

Transport Companies: Supporting and Committing to the Cause

Be Group—one of Vietnam's leading ride-hailing platforms—has expressed strong support for the initiative. Currently, about 10% of their 500,000 partner drivers are already using electric bikes.

Be has also teamed up with electric vehicle manufacturers like VinFast and Selex Motors to offer incentives such as:

• A VND 3 million discount per vehicle

• 30% discount on battery-swapping fees in the first year

• 4% discount when purchasing the VinFast Feliz S

However, companies are still requesting further assistance with battery costs, management software, and charging infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition.

Don’t Forget the Freelancers

A large portion of drivers operate independently, without being affiliated with any ride-hailing platforms. These drivers often face difficulties accessing financial support or official assistance programs.

The city is exploring ways to include them through used-bike trade-in programs and vehicle exchange initiatives—ensuring that no one is left behind in this green transition.

Target 2030: Fully Green Urban Transit

Ho Chi Minh City isn’t stopping with motorbikes. By 2030, the city aims for all public buses to run on green energy. Out of the 2,200 buses currently operating, about 31% already use electricity or compressed natural gas (CNG)—a figure that is steadily increasing each year.

Long-Term Benefits: Economic, Environmental, and Social

If successful, the project could help the city save hundreds of billions of dong annually for drivers, while also:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fine dust, and noise pollution

• Improving overall urban quality of life

• Contributing to Vietnam’s pledge to cut emissions by 9% by 2030

• Laying the groundwork for carbon credit trading—a potential economic boost in the future

Conclusion: A Greener Future Is Within Reach

The transition from gasoline to electric motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City is no longer a far-off dream. With clear financial incentives, a long-term infrastructure vision, and support from the private sector, the city is proving that green mobility is both possible and essential.

For ride-hailing drivers, this isn’t just a chance to cut costs—it’s a way to improve job quality, protect their health, and contribute to a cleaner environment. Most importantly, with the right policies, drivers can make the switch without any upfront investment.

The future of transportation in Ho Chi Minh City is being rewritten every day—and you just might be one of its pioneers.

A new study from OpenAI and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reveals that people who frequently use ChatGPT tend to feel lonelier and engage less in social interactions. In particular, those who are emotionally vulnerable are more likely to become dependent on the chatbot.

Spending time conversing with AI may temporarily ease loneliness, but in the long run, it can reduce the need for real human connections. The study found that daily ChatGPT users reported higher levels of loneliness and emotional reliance on the chatbot.

Although generative AI is widely used for work, coding, and even emotional support, constant interaction with a chatbot may gradually distance some individuals from real-world social connections. Experts worry that as AI becomes more advanced and human-like in its communication, forming one-sided relationships with chatbots could negatively impact users' mental health.

To better understand ChatGPT’s effects, researchers monitored nearly 1,000 individuals over a month. Participants were divided into groups using either a text-based or voice-based version of the chatbot. They engaged in conversations ranging from personal topics to general discussions. The results showed that individuals who are more emotionally affected in real-life relationships were also more prone to becoming attached to ChatGPT, leading to increasing dependency.

Additionally, the research team analyzed over three million user conversations with ChatGPT and found that while AI does not fully replace human interaction, some users seek comfort from the chatbot. However, this engagement does not alleviate loneliness; instead, it may heighten feelings of social isolation.

It remains unclear whether AI directly causes loneliness or simply attracts individuals who are already predisposed to feeling isolated. Nevertheless, one thing is certain—chatbots are becoming an integral part of many people’s lives, and their psychological impact requires further study.

Cathy Mengying Fang, an MIT graduate student and co-author of the study, emphasized that using ChatGPT does not always lead to negative consequences. However, the research team hopes these findings will encourage further studies on AI’s influence on human emotional well-being.

 Photoshop CS6 – One of the Most Popular and Powerful Versions of Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop CS6 is one of the most popular and powerful versions of Adobe Photoshop, a professional graphic design software. With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, CS6 offers numerous new tools that help users edit images quickly and efficiently.

Key Features:

✅ Improved Interface – Optimized user experience, easy to use.
✅ Content-Aware Tool – Smart object removal and image restoration.
✅ Camera Raw 7.0 – Advanced RAW image color correction.
✅ Blur Gallery – Stunning blur effects.
✅ Optimized Performance – Faster image processing.

If you're looking for professional photo editing software, Photoshop CS6 is the perfect choice!

📥 Download now: Link

Installation Guide:

1. Download the software and disable Wi-Fi before installation.
2. Proceed with the installation as usual.
3. After installation, go to the Crack folder in the downloaded file.
4. Choose the 32-bit or 64-bit crack version that matches your system.
5. Copy the Amplit.. file and paste it into the software’s installation folder in C: drive.
   • You can right-click the Photoshop icon, select "Open file location" to find the path.
   • Or go to C:\Program Files\Adobe Photoshop CS6 and paste the file there.

Enjoy editing with Photoshop CS6

SAN JOSE, California, March 19 (Reuters) - Nvidia (NVDA.O) CEO Jensen Huang predicts that humanoid robots will be widely integrated into production lines in less than five years.

On Tuesday, Huang delivered a keynote speech to a full hockey arena during the nearly $3 trillion company's annual developer conference in San Jose, California. Speaking with reporters afterward, he was asked what indicators would prove AI's complete integration into daily life.

Among his responses, Huang noted that a major sign would be "when humanoid robots are actively moving around, and that’s not five years away. This is a near-future reality, not a distant one."

He explained that factories would likely be the first to implement these robots due to their structured tasks and controlled settings.

"I believe they will enter manufacturing facilities first. The reason is that the environment is more structured, and the applications are clearly defined," Huang said. "The economic benefits are evident. Renting a humanoid robot could cost around $100,000, which makes solid financial sense."

News

In the digital age, music has become an integral part of our lives, accompanying us through various moments and experiences. Finding the perfect soundtrack for a project or personal enjoyment, however, can sometimes be hindered by copyright restrictions. The good news is that there are numerous sources offering high-quality, royalty-free music that can be used without infringing on copyright. This article delves into the world of free music, providing insights into where and how to discover it.

1. **YouTube**:

YouTube has emerged as a vast repository of music, with many artists and creators offering their compositions for free. By utilizing online tools to convert YouTube videos to audio files, such as ytmp3.cc, listeners can easily extract audio content for personal use.

2. **SoundCloud**:

SoundCloud serves as a platform where artists freely share their music creations. Some artists permit free downloads directly from their profiles, allowing users to enjoy their music offline without any legal concerns.

3. **Free Music Archive**:

This extensive music library hosts an array of genres and tracks available for free download. The Free Music Archive grants access to a diverse collection of music that can complement a wide range of projects.

4. **Jamendo**:

Jamendo is a legal and free music platform catering to both listeners and artists. With a wide selection of tracks spanning various genres, users can either stream or download music from Jamendo's library.

5. **Creative Commons Websites**:

Websites such as Wikimedia Commons, Free Music Archive, and the Creative Commons community provide a platform to explore music released under specific usage licenses. These licenses offer flexibility in using the music for personal, non-commercial, and sometimes even commercial purposes, while adhering to certain conditions.

Discovering and utilizing royalty-free music no longer needs to be a challenging endeavor. With platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, Free Music Archive, Jamendo, and Creative Commons websites, a treasure trove of music is available at your fingertips. By responsibly using these sources, you can enhance your projects with captivating music without the worry of copyright violations. Embrace the freedom to create and share with the world while respecting the rights of content creators.

Remember, while these platforms offer free music, it's crucial to verify the terms of use for each track and adhere to any licensing requirements. By doing so, you can ensure a harmonious and lawful experience in your journey through the world of music exploration.