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
Recover quickly after working out
Tireless efforts made to soothe Agent Orange pain
Many policies on the settlement of AO consequences have been carried out over the past years, including supporting AO victims. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Joining hands to soothe the pain caused by Agent Orange (AO) is not only a charitable or humanitarian deed but firstly an activity to express gratitude to revolution contributors and the sense of responsibility of each Vietnamese people. Vietnam marks 61 years since the AO disaster on August 10 this year. Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/ Dioxin (VAVA), said the Party, State, and people have made wholehearted efforts with the highest sense of responsibility to care for revolution contributors, including those suffering from toxic chemicals in the resistance war and AO victims. Many policies on the settlement of AO consequences have been carried out, he said, noting that the State has spent tens of trillions of VND each year on providing monthly allowances, health … [Read more...] about Tireless efforts made to soothe Agent Orange pain
Overseas workers return home to underpaid jobs
"With no certificates, I can only apply for a blue-collar job, but most factories turned me down," the 24-year-old woman said. Factories in Vietnam demanded that she work faster than in Japan for one-fifth of the salary she got there, at around VND6 million ($256) a month. In Japan she received VND30 million a month and was able to send two-thirds of it back to her family and live comfortably with the remaining one-third. "I had enough to spare, but in Vietnam, I run out of money very quickly." Nguyet is among nearly 548,700 Vietnamese citizens who’d gone abroad to work in the last five years to earn higher incomes and help their families back home. However, many of them are returning home to great disappointment, their expectations of resuming work at home for decent pay belied in no uncertain manner. Data from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shows that in Japan and South Korea, the two major labor markets for Vietnam, Vietnamese workers can earn … [Read more...] about Overseas workers return home to underpaid jobs