Reopening

In comments on a draft amendment to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the board (TAB) encouraged the government to waive visas for up to a month for those entering Vietnam to attend sports tournaments, conferences and tourism fairs, the Vietnam News Agency reported. TAB also backed a clause in the draft amendment extending the validity of e-visas from 30 days to a maximum of three months. The stipulation would also allow for multiple-entry e-visas, in order to attract international tourists. The board has also stated that it wants to triple to 45 days the duration of visa-free stays for tourists from certain countries who now enjoy a 15-day waiver. "Applying for a visa at international border gates prompts additional visa fees and causes trouble for international tourists, especially solo travelers," said a TAB statement. TAB also suggested the government grant five-year visas to foreign individuals who buy residential real estate in … [Read more...] about Vietnam advised to waive visa for wealthy travelers

Over 146,000 Chinese tourists arrived in Vietnam this month, up 23% from the previous month, according to a report by the General Statistics Office. Since China began reopening its border in mid-January, the country welcomed a total of 398,000 Chinese arrivals. South Korea continued to be the largest source of tourist arrivals with over 1.3 million in the first five months. The U.S. ranked third with 307,000 arrivals. Vietnam received over 916,000 foreign tourist arrivals in May, down 6.9% from the previous month. In the first five months of this year, the country welcomed 4.6 million international visitors, more than half this year's target of 8 million but just 63% of pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, the year before the onset of the pandemic, China was Vietnam's biggest source of foreign arrivals with 5.5 million arrivals. Earlier, HSBC predicted Vietnam could receive 3 to 4.5 million visitors from China this year, equivalent to 50%-80% of pre-pandemic levels. … [Read more...] about China becomes Vietnam’s second biggest source of tourists

Foreign tourists visit Temple of Literature (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam’s tourism may attract 10 million foreign tourist arrivals this year, surpassing the target of 8 million previously set by the sector, according to deputy head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu. In the first four months of this year, nearly 3.7 million foreign tourists travelled to Vietnam, and the number of domestic tourists was 38 million. Total revenue from tourists was estimated at 196.6 trillion VND (8.3 billion USD). Revenues from accommodation and catering services between January and April were estimated at 214.8 trillion VND, representing a year-on-year increase of 25%. Meanwhile, thanks to exciting cultural and tourism activities taking place in many localities in the early months of the year across localities, travel revenue was estimated at 9.1 trillion VND, nearly 2.1 times higher than the same period last year. In April alone, the country … [Read more...] about Vietnam may hit 10 million foreign tourists this year: authority

Due to its size, the ship anchored a kilometer from shore and the passengers were transported to shore in boats. They visited some popular attractions on the island and did shopping before leaving at 7 p.m. the same day. Bui Quoc Thai, director of the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang Province, home to Phu Quoc, said most of the visitors were from Thailand, Malaysia, Cuba, and European countries. It had made a five-day voyage from Thailand to Cambodia’s Sihanoukville before heading to Phu Quoc. The Costa Serena ship is 290 meters long and can carry a maximum of 3,700 passengers. Well known for its sandy beaches, turquoise waters and forests, Phu Quoc has for years been a popular holiday destination for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. It allows 30-day visa-free entry for foreigners. … [Read more...] about First cruise ship arrives in Phu Quoc post-Covid with 2,600 passengers

Vehicles at Kim Thanh International Border Gate in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.(Photo chinhphu.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The quantity of Vietnamese agricultural goods exported to China via border gates in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has witnessed a significant upswing this year, surpassing figures from previous years. The newfound export surge can be attributed to China's recent modifications in its COVID-19 prevention policies, leaving farmers in a state of anticipation. Vang Kim Sinh, a farmer of Tan Tien Hamlet, Trinh Tuong commune, Bat Xat district said he and his neighbours have shifted to plant bananas instead of cassava to earn a living in recent years. The technique of growing bananas is simple, bringing higher income than growing cassava, he said. He said since the beginning of this year he has sent several containers of bananas through Kim Thanh International Border Gate. One container contains about 3,300 boxes of bananas, he … [Read more...] about Farmers look to capitalise on increased agricultural product exports to China

The newfound export surge can be attributed to China's recent modifications in its COVID-19 prevention policies, leaving farmers in a state of anticipation. Vang Kim Sinh, a farmer of Tan Tien hamlet, Trinh Tuong commune, Bat Xat district said he and his neighbors have shifted to plant bananas instead of cassava to earn a living in recent years. The technique of growing bananas is simple, bringing higher income than growing cassava, he said. He said since the beginning of this year he has sent several containers of bananas through Kim Thanh International Border Gate. One container contains about 3,300 boxes of bananas, he said. He said that the price of bananas, which are exported to China, is more than doubled that of bananas he sells to the domestic market. When China closed its door due to the pandemic, he said that bananas from the commune were only sold domestically with the highest price of VND 3,000 (USD 0.12) per kg. Now, he said the bananas had been exported to … [Read more...] about Farmers look to capitalize on increased agricultural product exports to China

Statistics from the five major listed seafood firms, Vinh Hoan Corporation (VHC), Nam Viet JSC (ANV), International Development and Investment JSC (IDI), Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC), and Sao Ta Foods JSC (FMC), show that in the first quarter of this year these firms saw 23.4 per cent drop in revenue, and an 80.4 per cent plunge in profit, on average compared to Q1/2022. MPC, Vietnam’s largest shrimp producer, saw its revenue drop by almost half last quarter to $92.28 million, and after-tax losses of $4.27 million, compared to a $3.96 million profit for the same period last year. This is the first quarter that MPC has reported a loss since the company went public in 2017. Vietnam’s largest exporter of basa fish, VHC, posted $96.5 million in revenue, down 32 per cent on-year, and a $9.5 million profit, a dip of 60 per cent, with the gross profit margin ratio falling sharply from 23.8 per cent to 17.3 per cent. Seafood exporters are under mounting pressure in the … [Read more...] about Seafood sector feeling the bite amid high inflation

An overview of the NA's fifth plenary session (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) deputies on May 22 discussed a report on supplementary assessments on outcomes of the socioeconomic development plan and State budget in 2022 and the implementation of such plan for the first months of this year, following the opening of the 15th NA’s fifth plenary session . Delivering the report, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said that last year, 13 out of the 15 targets set for the year were completed and exceeded. After being supplemented, the socioeconomic development results of 2022 changed positively, with GDP growth of 8.02% compared to about 8% in the original report, and CPI increase of 3.15% from about 4% in the previous report. Meanwhile, the State budget collection in the year topped 1.81 quadrillion VND (77.18 billion USD), more than 201.4 trillion VND higher than the previously reported figure, Deputy PM Khai said. However, the number of unfinished … [Read more...] about Deputies discuss socioeconomic performance at NA’s fifth session

Workers making garment products at a factory in Bim Son District, Thanh Hoa Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Many textile companies are struggling as they have to reduce employees due to shrinking revenues. The slowdown of global economic growth has affected manufacturing activities across industries, including textiles. In the first quarter of the year, Vietnamese textile and garment exports decreased nearly 18 per cent on-year to more than US$7 billion, according to General Department of Vietnam Customs statistics. The April data continued to show not very positive signs, with an export value of $2.5 billion, down nearly 20 per cent over last year. The industry continues to face challenges shortly due to a sharp decrease in purchasing power from major markets such as the US and European Union (EU), the recent textile industry report of KIS Vietnam Securities showed. Many businesses have not had orders for the rest of the second quarter. Inventories at major foreign … [Read more...] about Listed textiles enterprises face negative prospects this year

Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam addresses the workshop (Photo:congthuong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is seeing a great opportunity to access the mRNA technology for vaccine production, said Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam, at a workshop held by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Health Strategy and Policy Institute (HSPI) under the Ministry of Health in Hanoi on May 22. Haverman underlined the need for Vietnam to carefully consider the steps and timelines, the scale and sources of the required investment of funds, and the development of expertise to ensure this technology transfer's effectiveness and financial sustainability. The collaboration among the key departments, institutes, enterprises, senior experts, and partners at the workshop will contribute to developing an effective national strategy to improve vaccine access in Vietnam and the broader region in the coming time. The … [Read more...] about Vietnam sees great opportunity to access mRNA vaccine production technology: UNDP official