He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday. Hung also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis. Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies. The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year. This year, Vietnam targets five million foreign tourists, around 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The government has allowed quarantine-free entry and resumed its pre-pandemic visa exemption policy for 24 tourism markets including Western European countries from … [Read more...] about Vietnam minister proposes visa exemption for US, European travelers
Anthony foreign minister
ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary celebrated in Chile
Delegates attending the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Buenos Aires (VNA) – The ASEAN Committee in Santiago, and diplomatic representative agencies of Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia in Chile jointly organised a ceremony to mark the bloc’s 55th founding anniversary on August 8. As the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee, Chargé d'Affaires at the Philippine Embassy JimTito Agustin reviewed important historical milestones in the formation and development of the bloc, and emphasised the determination of member countries to "stay strong together" to help the bloc make more positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world. Chilean Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Ahumada affirmed that Chile always attaches great importance to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s growing role and position, especially in 2022 as the host of many important international events in Cambodia, Indonesia and … [Read more...] about ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary celebrated in Chile
Ministry plans to add “place of birth” to new passport version
The new passport version of Vietnam (Photo: Vietnam Government Portal) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is planning to add the “place of birth” to the new passport version to facilitate citizens’ seeking of visas to the Schengen countries . The granting and use of the new passport will be among the issues about which Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam will be questioned at the 14th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on August 10. Compared to the old passport, the new version is produced by using modern technology to meet higher security requirements and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), according to the MPS’s report sent to lawmakers prior to the meeting. Images of Vietnam’s typical landscapes and cultural heritages are featured in the new passport with the aim of introducing the country’s land and people to international friends, it noted. So far, the MPS has granted 272,000 passports of the … [Read more...] about Ministry plans to add “place of birth” to new passport version
☕ Afternoon briefing on August 9
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on August 9. - The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has asked the Prime Minister about the mechanism for ongoing solar power and transitional wind power projects to enjoy the incentive price. In a recent document sent to the PM, the MoIT suggested investors of those projects negotiate electricity prices and power purchase and sale contracts with Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Read full story Read full story Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) - Vietnam will need a skilled workforce to transform itself into an upper-middle-income economy by 2035, the World Bank has suggested in its recently-released report named “Taking Stock: Educate to Grow”. Read full story Read full story The new passport version of Vietnam (Photo: Vietnam Government Portal) The granting and use of the new passport will be among the issues about which Minister of Public Security Gen. … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on August 9
Thai businesses eye expanding trade, investment in Cambodia
The Aranyaprathet-Poipet border gate of Thailand and Cambodia (Photo: Asia News) Bangkok (VNA) – Thai businesses have set their sights on expanding trade and investment in Cambodia, especially in processed food, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, plastic, and gems and jewellery. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), said Cambodia is seeing average economic growth of 7 – 8% per year as a result of the country opening up to foreign direct investment. Cambodia has been trying to develop its tourism and agricultural sectors, but the country still lacks sufficient knowledge and modern technology, especially in terms of storage and processing in order to increase values. This offers a very good opportunity for Thai businesses to forge joint investment s with Cambodian counterparts in many sectors as above, according to Sanan, who is also chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand . He led the first post-pandemic visit to Cambodia by more … [Read more...] about Thai businesses eye expanding trade, investment in Cambodia
☀️ Morning digest August 9
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency . - Vietnam always wants to promote solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation with Cambodia, considering this a priority in its foreign policy, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang told Cambodian guests in Hanoi on August 8. Giang hosted a reception for a delegation of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) led by Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. Read full story - Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to expand 7.5% in 2022 and 6.7% in 2023, with resilient manufacturing and a robust rebound in services serving as the driving forces for economic recovery. At the press conference to release the report. (Photo: WB Vietnam) According to the latest economic update by World Bank (WB) for Vietnam, the country’s economy expanded 5.2% in Q4 of 2021, and … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest August 9
Central Economic Commission works with Viettel
Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh chaired the meeting and Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam, Deputy Minister of National Defense, attended the event. Speaking at the meeting, Chairman cum General Director of the Viettel Group Senior Colonel Tao Duc Thang briefed the delegation on Viettel production and business situation, especially difficulties and shortcomings that the group is facing. Meanwhile, Gen. Thang proposed new mechanisms and policies on high-tech development, digital transformation, and foreign investment, and then the project’s steering committee would implement effective and appropriate policies on modernization and industrialization in the time to come. For his part, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh spoke highly of the remarkable achievements gained by Viettel over the past years. According to him, Viettel is the first enterprise to work with the Central Steering Committee for developing the project. It has shown the important role of … [Read more...] about Central Economic Commission works with Viettel