British overseas territories visa policy

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to draft a report on visa exemptions for Chinese tourists, The Rakyat Post reported, citing a source from Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. If implemented, the policy could allow Chinese tourists to enjoy visa-free entry "for a certain number of days," Sin Chew Daily quoted the ministry’s Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing as saying. At present, tourists from China can obtain a 15-day visa-on-arrival upon entering Malaysia. Malaysia is predicted to welcome at least 18 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, surpassing its initial target of 16.1 million. Southeast Asian countries have sped up their international tourism recovery by relaxing visa policies and boosting tourism promotion campaigns. Starting September 25, Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second largest economy, waived visa requirements for Chinese travelers for five months as it expects the temporary waiver could help … [Read more...] about Malaysia considers visa-free entry for Chinese tourists

80% of 1,500 Vietnamese survey respondents planned to have an overseas holiday, just slightly behind Thailand at 86% and Singapore at 85%, and ahead of the Philippines at 69%, Malaysia at 64% and Indonesia at 56%. The survey shows that intent to travel remains strong across the region. Of those surveyed, 72% plan to travel abroad at least once in the next 12 months, jumping from just 39% when borders reopened in 2022, indicating intent to travel has climbed by 84% in just one year. While Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia lead the way in terms of destinations within Southeast Asia, Vietnamese put Japan, South Korea and China at the top list of countries they are planning to explore. Some 77% of those planning leisure trips are planning to travel two or more times in the next 12 months. Families represent one of the most significant audience segments for 2023 travel with Vietnam sharing this pattern. Nearly three in five respondents from Vietnam said they plan to travel with … [Read more...] about Vietnamese itching to take leisure trips overseas

The Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association holds the fourth national congress on September 30. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association held the fourth national congress on September 30 to outline operation directions and elect its leadership in the 2023-2028 tenure. The association has thousands of members in 32 provinces and centrally-run cities and 15 chapters nationwide. Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, who chairs the Vietnamese section in the Vietnam-Russia Inter-governmental Committee, stressed that Vietnam considers developing the relations with Russia one of the top priorities in its external policy. Activities of the Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association have contributed to the implementation of this policy, he said. The deputy PM asked the association to both strengthen ties with existing partners and seek new partners in Russia to expand the friend networks. The association should also work … [Read more...] about Vietnam-Russia friendship association elects leadership for new tenure

The event was jointly organized by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Management Board for Forestry Projects of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam). Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry, said with a total of over 14.7 million ha covering 42.2% of Vietnam's natural area, forest ecosystems have greatly contributed to the national economy and livelihoods for people. He noted that about 25 million people rely on forests to earn their living, mainly ethnic minority communities whose cultural identities are connected with forests. This is great potential to develop multi-purpose values of the forest ecosystem. With the support of international and non-governmental organizations, the Vietnamese government has paid special attention and allocated resources to protect life in forests and promote biodiversity conservation in the … [Read more...] about Eco-tourism development linked with biodiversity conservation under discussion

The ministry discussed three potential GDP outcomes for 2023. The lowest prospect mentioned would see GDP growth at 5% for the entire year. In this case, GDP in the last quarter would have to reach 7%, according to ministry analysts. The middle of the road scenario would see GDP round out the year at 5.5%, in which case final quarter GDP growth would need to reach 8.8%. The most optimistic scenario would be GDP growth ending the year at 6%, but in order for that to happen, GDP growth in the fourth quarter must reach 10.6%. This would be a challenge, according to the ministry, as GDP growth in the third quarter reached only 5.33%. Ministry analysts have said that economic growth in the final quarter would depend on how quickly industrial production recovers, especially in manufacturing and processing. Another factor is demand from Vietnam’s major export markets, as well as tourism and spending within the country at the end of the year and for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. … [Read more...] about GDP growth 6% max this year, ministry predicts

The meetings were part of an official visit to Laos by a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The delegation also attended the inauguration ceremony of the Academy of Politics of the Lao People's Public Security, a gift from the Vietnamese Government and MPS to the Lao MPS. Lam thanked the Lao leaders for creating conditions for the Vietnamese MPS and its Laos counterpart to cooperate closely and effectively in fighting crimes and safeguarding security and order in each country. He informed his hosts about the two ministries’ cooperation results and the outcomes of their talks held earlier the same day. The Vietnamese official noted the two ministries have affirmed that security - defense cooperation remains one of the three pillars of the countries’ relations, and that they will stay determined and persistent to guarantee peace, stability and development along the Vietnam - Laos border. The two sides also stated that one country’s … [Read more...] about Lao leaders applaud cooperation between Vietnamese, Lao public security ministries

An aerial view of part of the Thi Vai liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouse and terminal complex (Photo: congthuong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Thi Vai liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouse and terminal complex, the first of its kind in Vietnam, of the Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV GAS), has passed a series of technical tests and is now ready to be put into commercial operation. Work started on the Thi Vai LNG warehouse and terminal projects, based in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, on October 28, 2019. Their trial operations began on July 10, 2023, and the test run of the main processes completed on July 30. The Thi Vai system is currently the biggest LNG complex in the country. The LNG warehouse, the heart of the system, already had its first phase completed with the storage capacity of 180,000 cu.m., able to handle 1 million tonnes of LNG per year. Its second phase is currently under construction with a view to raising the annual handling … [Read more...] about Thi Vai LNG complex passes pilot testing, ready to go

A boy gets vaccinated (Photo: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – Vietnam’s permanent delegation in Geneva on September 20 organised an international seminar on promoting the right to immunisation, and delivered a joint statement co-sponsored by many countries on this topic within the framework of the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Vietnam, Brazil and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) jointly organised the seminar with the participation of representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, highlighted Vietnam 's policies and achievements in ensuring the right to vaccination, making an important contribution to promoting people's health and socio-economic development. In addition to the efforts of the government and people, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai affirmed the … [Read more...] about Vietnam promotes right to immunisation

Folk artists play a crucial role in promoting the value of local intangible heritage. Folk artists are those who have transmitted the quintessential values of Hanoi's ancient culture, contributing to the promotion of the capital's intangible cultural values, said Associate Professor Tran Thi An, President of the Hanoi Folk Arts Association, at a workshop organized in the city this week. A performance by the Hanoi Ca tru Club at Kim Ngan Temple, No.42 Hang Bac Street. Photo courtesy of the club "Folk artists are an important element of cultural heritage. They have a social responsibility to help protect and promote heritage values," she said at the workshop entitled "The Role and Responsibility of Artisans in Protecting and Promoting the Value of Hanoi's Intangible Cultural Heritage". Echoing An, researcher Le Hong Ly believes that folk artists, with their important role, need to be more active in educating the community, especially the younger generation, … [Read more...] about Hanoi artisans preserve intangible culture

He emphasized the need to strongly promote growth drivers, speed up industrial production development, especially the manufacturing-processing industry in the context of continued difficulties and challenges in the world situation as well as in the country. The government leader reiterated the overall goal of maintaining macro-economic stability, reining in inflation, propelling growth, ensuring major balances of the economy, paying attention to social welfare, protecting socio-political stability and social order and safety, intensifying anti-corruption activities, strengthening national defense-security, promoting external relations, and maintaining a peaceful environment for development. He asked agencies, sectors and localities to get plans and scenarios readied to respond to all circumstances. It is necessary to focus on boosting industrial production with a goal of about 10% in the fourth quarter to make up for the slow growth in previous quarters, he said, ordering … [Read more...] about Prime Minister urges utmost efforts to complete targets for 2023