Continue to remain at low levels.

Today's gas prices remain at their lowest level in nearly five months. The June 2025 natural gas futures contract saw a slight increase of 0.5%, reaching $3.11/mmBTU.

World market

Earlier, the price of natural gas futures for May 2025 on the New York exchange rose only slightly by 0.2% to $2.94/mmBTU, nearing its lowest level since November 15, 2024. Overall for the week, natural gas prices fell by 9%, marking the fourth consecutive week of declines and bringing the total drop over the four weeks to 28%.

The main reason for the drop in natural gas prices is the forecast of mild weather in the US lasting until mid-May, limiting demand for gas for heating and cooling purposes.

Domestic gas prices in April 2025 remained unchanged compared to March because the average world gas price contract for April showed no fluctuations.

At the same time, developments in the global energy market also strongly impacted gas prices. Amid escalating US-China trade tensions, China recently added propylene – a petrochemical product derived from propane – to its list of retaliatory tariffs. This caused propane prices in the US to plummet by 15%, leading to a sharp drop in shipping costs as well.

Propane exports were once a bright spot in U.S. energy trade, thanks to soaring demand from Asia, particularly China. In 2024 alone, U.S. propane exports to China increased by 40%. However, with new tariffs, this trade flow is now facing the risk of stagnation.

Unlike LNG or crude oil, propane is difficult to replace in US-China trade relations. China currently has enormous petrochemical capacity and is accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to refined chemicals. Meanwhile, the US has few potential alternative markets outside of China, although Canada is being considered as a potential alternative.

In the short term, American consumers may benefit from the surplus propane supply, which helps lower heating energy prices. But in the long term, this development clearly reflects the complex interplay between energy trade and global industrial strategy, requiring major adjustments if trade tensions persist.

Domestic market

Domestic gas prices in April 2025 remained unchanged compared to March because the average world gas price contract for April showed no fluctuations.

Specifically, the retail price of Petrolimex gas in the Hanoi market in April remained at 457,400 VND per 12kg household cylinder and 1,829,600 VND per 48kg industrial cylinder, including VAT.

Similarly, according to an announcement from Southern Gas Trading Joint Stock Company (Gas South), retail prices for gas brands such as Gas Dầu Khí, VT-Gas, A Gas, JP Gas, Đăk Gas, and Đặng Phước Gas remain unchanged compared to the previous month. Consumers in the Eastern and Southwestern regions of Vietnam still purchase gas at 475,400 VND per 12kg cylinder and 1,784,111 VND per 45kg cylinder.

A representative from Petrolimex Gas Corporation stated that domestic gas prices remain unchanged because the average world gas price contract for April stayed at $610 per ton, unchanged from March. Therefore, the company did not adjust retail prices.

Since the beginning of 2025, domestic gas prices have experienced two price reductions and two periods of stability, reflecting a stable trend amidst little volatility in the international market.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/gia-gas-hom-nay-27-4-tiep-tuc-duy-tri-o-muc-thap-250731.html