Free dog photo contest

The Republic of Korea (RoK) is set to temporarily allow visa-free entry for tour groups from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mongolia through an international airport in Yangyang, according to Yonhap News Agency. Yangyang Interntional Airport (Photo: KOREA.NET) The agency quoted officials of the Korean Ministry of Justice as saying that starting from June 1, tourists from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia can stay in the RoK for up to 15 days without a visa. In addition, group tours from Mongolia will be subject to a similar visa-waiver programme starting from October 1. Yonhap noted that the programme aims to boost local tourism and the regional economy of Gangwon province. This scheme will therefore be carried out until May 31, 2023, with the possibility of being extended every year depending on the results of the plan. The agency added that tourists also must be booked through travel agencies which are recognised by the embassies of each … [Read more...] about RoK permits visa-free entry for Vietnamese tourists to Yangyang

Tam Nong Market in Tram Chim Town, Dong Thap Province used to be a hotbed of wildlife trafficking in southern Vietnam. Nowadays, however, the flood of endangered wildlife flowing into local markets from nearby Tram Chim National Park and Cambodia seems to have slowed, but across the region traffickers still breed and butcher rare animals. Any animal in demand Though the wildlife trade in Dong Thap is not what it once was, some vendors at Tam Nong Market still deal in rare animals. Tam is one of these vendors. Keeping a watchful eye of the turtles for sale at her stall, she agreed to deliver a large shipment of endangered turtles to an undercover reporter, provided that they would be set free at pagodas. Tai, a vendor at the market who primarily deals in both live and frozen copperheads and banded kraits, claims himself as the biggest wildlife seller in Tam Nong. Turtles up for sale at the Thanh Hoa bird market in Long An Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: … [Read more...] about Wildlife trafficking rife in southern Vietnam

Vietnamese students brought home two silver and one bronze medals at the 2022 European Physics Olympiad, the Vietnam Physics Society (VPS) announced on May 25. The five-strong Vietnamese team (C) participating in 2022 European Physics Olympiad (Photo: CTV) Specifically, Nguyen Tuan Phong from the Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted in the northern province of the same name, and Pham Trung Kien from the Tran Phu High School for the Gifted in the northern city of Hai Phong won the silver medals. Meanwhile, the bronze medal was grabbed by Le Thuy Mai Anh from the Ha Long High School for the Gifted in the northern province of Quang Ninh. This year, Vietnam sent five students to the competition, who had been selected by the VPS from those winning prizes at the national physics competition. This year’s competition was held in Slovenia, drawing the participation of 182 contestants from 37 nations. Last year, Vietnamese students brought home one gold and one … [Read more...] about Vietnamese students win three medals at 2022 European Physics Olympiad

Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh delivers a speech at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Đào Thanh Tùng TOKYO — Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh proposed that Asia strengthen its responsibility in keeping and creating a peaceful and sustainable environment for development and prosperity in the region and the world. This should be based on cooperation, understanding, trust, and responsibility, he said, while delivering a speech at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia (FOA 2022) in Tokyo on Thursday. He said, entering the third decade of the 21st century, the Asian region is witnessing profound historical changes, with both opportunities and challenges that have long-term impacts on future generations. As the region and the world are focusing resources to handle urgent unprecedented issues, first and foremost, countries need to make responsible contributions, show mutual respect, and equally … [Read more...] about Việt Nam calls for Asia to create peaceful, sustainable environment for world prosperity

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh (front row) at Schaeffler headquarters where the seminar takes place (Photo: VNA) Berlin (VNA) – The German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) has held a seminar on business and investment in Vietnam, attracting the participation of many German firms. Addressing the May 25 event in Bayern state, Ambassador Vu Quang Minh introduced the countries’ cooperation and its growth potential. According to the diplomat, Vietnam and Germany have all necessary collaboration frameworks, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement which took effect in August 2021. Meanwhile, Vietnam is among the countries with the most favourable FDI laws in the region and the world, and also one of the fastest recovering economies from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vietnamese and German economies are perfectly complementary to each other, Minh said, calling upon German investors in Vietnam to spread their knowledge and experience on the market to the … [Read more...] about Seminar promotes German business, investment in Vietnam

Speakers at the Viet Nam–UK Business Forum, which took place in London on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam wants to see more investment from the United Kingdom (UK) in hi-tech agriculture, in cultivation, processing, preservation and distribution of farm produce and foods, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien. He made the statement at the Viet Nam–UK Business Forum held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration of the UK Department of International Trade (DIT) in London on Wednesday. The forum discussed prospects for trade and investment between the two countries’ enterprises in agriculture, education, renewable energy and others. It also provided a platform for Viet Nam to introduce its market potential to British investors and for firms from both sides to share information and seek partnerships to make the most of the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVTFA). The UK … [Read more...] about Viet Nam, UK strive to lift trade and investment relations

Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia (right) and Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin at the signing ceremony of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between the two countries. (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – After conducting seven rounds of negotiations which began in 2018, Indonesia and Switzerland have signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (P4M) to boost trade and investment between the two countries. The signing took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2022 underway in Davos, Switzerland . The scope of the P4M includes guarantees on several issues, including non-discriminatory treatment, freedom to transfer or repatriate and options to solve disputes through international arbitration. Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the agreement was made to boost investments in both countries by providing legal protection and business certainty for Indonesian and Swiss investors. He also said he … [Read more...] about Indonesia, Switzerland sign bilateral investment agreement