Border zero tolerance policy

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

Tens of thousands of tourists stranded in a Covid-hit resort city in southern China due to travel curbs can begin leaving in batches, authorities said Tuesday, but many remain trapped. Residents and tourists in the southern Chinese province of Hainan line up to be tested for the coronavirus on Monday. — AFP More than 80,000 holidaymakers in Sanya on the island of Hainan -- often called "China's Hawaii" -- saw their vacations turn into a nightmare when officials declared a Covid emergency and cancelled flights and train ticket sales over the weekend. Sanya, home to more than a million people, is battling its worst outbreak in two years with more than 1,500 cases reported between August 1 and 9, according to official data. China is the only major economy still sticking to a zero-Covid strategy that uses snap lockdowns and long quarantine periods to contain outbreaks before they spread. The local health bureau on Tuesday announced that some tourists would be … [Read more...] about Tourists trapped in ‘China’s Hawaii’ over Covid to start leaving

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