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
Schools zero tolerance policy
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
Vietnam’s economic growth forecast at 7.5 pc in 2022: World Bank
Hanoi - Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to expand 7.5 percent in 2022 and 6.7 percent 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 percent in Q4 of 2021, and respectively 5.1 percent and 7.7 percent in Q1 and Q2 of 2022. Inflation is projected to average 3.8 percent over the year. Carolyn Turk, WB Country Director for Vietnam, said that the bi-annual report “lays out a set of policy recommendations that could help mitigate the impact of these risks and make the economy more resilient going forward.” Titled “Taking Stock: Educate to Grow”, this edition underlines transforming the higher education system as the key to boosting the country’s productivity and achieving its development goals, in the context where the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s economic growth forecast at 7.5 pc in 2022: World Bank
Hanoi, Vientiane to set example in inter-provincial cooperation
The two capital cities will implement new projects in agriculture and education, and raise public awareness of the special Vietnam-Laos relations. Hanoi and Vientiane should set an example at inter-provincial level cooperation to reflect the scale of Vietnam-Laos relations and expectations from leaders and people of the two countries. Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung stressed the view during a meeting with his Vientiane counterpart Anouphap Tounalom today [August 9] in Hanoi. Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung at the meeting. Photos: Viet Thanh At the meeting, Dung welcomed the visit of Vientiane’s high-ranking delegation to Hanoi on the occasion of the 60 th anniversary of diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962 – September 5, 2022), and the 45 th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (July 18, 1977- July 18, 2022). According to Dung, the special Vietnam-Laos relations, … [Read more...] about Hanoi, Vientiane to set example in inter-provincial cooperation
Book on traditional Kim Hoang paintings released
The book provides a panoramic view of the origin of Kim Hoang folk paintings, the traditional way of producing the pictures, and the challenges in preserving and developing this traditional painting school in modern life. The book titled "Kim Hoang Folk Paintings" was jointly launched today [August 9] by the Hanoi Museum of Ceramics and the World Publisher. It was the result of the Kim Hoang Folk Painting Restoration Project led by researcher Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa, director of the museum. A Kim Hoang folk painting. Photos: Tra My The project has been implemented since 2016 with the participation of many artists, researchers, and collectors of Vietnamese folk paintings as well as artists and photographers. The book provides a panoramic view of the origin of Kim Hoang folk paintings, the traditional way of producing the pictures, and the challenges in preserving and developing this traditional painting school in modern life. According to Dr. Tran Hau Yen The, a … [Read more...] about Book on traditional Kim Hoang paintings released
Low-income earners hardly access loans for buying social houses
At the meeting ( Photo: SGGP) Today, the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly deputies delegation had a meeting to supervise the implementation of the Housing Law in the city for the 2016-2021 period to the branch of the State Bank of Vietnam in HCMC and the branch of the Bank for Social Policies in HCMC, the Department of Construction and Department of Natural Resources and Environment. At the conference, Huynh Thanh Khiet, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, said that in the period 2016-2021, nearly 15,000 apartments in 19 social housing projects were completed. In the next phase between 2021 to 2025, the southern metropolis planned to implement 25 projects with a total of more than 28,600 apartments. With nearly 15,000 apartments in 19 social housing projects, Ho Chi Minh City can satisfy the housing needs of a part of low-income people, civil servants, and public employees with housing difficulties. Accordingly, the number of social housing has not … [Read more...] about Low-income earners hardly access loans for buying social houses
Vice Chairman directs to speed up vaccination rollout citywide
Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc directs to speed up vaccination rollout citywide He made the statement at today’s online meeting with 21 districts and Thu Duc city about the preliminary review after one week of implementation of the vaccination program for children in the city. Deputy Director of the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Huu Hung said that the number of Covid-19 cases in the city in the last weeks of July tended to increase, the Department has advised the municipal People's Committee to choose August as the peak month for vaccination against Covid-19 for children. After one week of implementation, the city has organized 188 injection points at schools and administered approximately 82,042 shots of vaccines, 1.45 times higher than the previous week with 56,538 shots. However, according to the Deputy Director of the Department of Health, the city's vaccination coverage rate is lower than the national average. Specifically, the proportion of children … [Read more...] about Vice Chairman directs to speed up vaccination rollout citywide
Military units well carry out gratitude work
The whole military has built 1,769 gratitude houses, worth more than VND 141 billion, for national contributors and policy beneficiaries across the country. The Ministry of National Defense alone has donated VND 6 billion to assist the construction of 75 gratitude houses for national contributors. In addition, defense agencies and military units currently take care of 1,489 heroic Vietnamese mothers and foster 121 children of wounded and sick soldiers. They have presented 505 savings books, worth more than VND 5 million, to national contributors and policy beneficiaries. Apart from that, units in the whole military have bought medical equipment and facilities for convalescent centers for national contributors and provided military uniforms for wounded soldiers who are being treated at centers. Furthermore, in response to the movement of building gratitude fund in 2022, defense agencies and units have mobilized different sources to donate an estimated amount of VND 92 billion. … [Read more...] about Military units well carry out gratitude work
No ideal waste treatment technology for Vietnam yet
Vo Tien Dung, vice director of Hanoi-based Halcom Vietnam, said his business has been cooperating with German, Finnish and Japanese companies for the last 23 years, but has yet to find the best technologies to deal with Vietnam’s waste problems. It is difficult to treat typically unsorted and highly humid waste in Vietnam. For example, trash in Europe has a humidity level of around 20%, while trash in Vietnam could have a humidity level of 60-70%, he added. Even the ongoing waste-to-energy plants in Hanoi and Can Tho would need more time so their effectiveness could be evaluated, Dung said. Treating unsorted trash without the same humidity conditions as in other countries would make it hard to meet efficiency and emission standards, he added. Nguyen Quang Huan, member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Science, Technology and the Environment, said he was concerned about waste-to-energy plants. He said such technology still produces pollutants, and is merely cleaning the … [Read more...] about No ideal waste treatment technology for Vietnam yet
Malaysia’s inflation may hit double digits: Finance Minister
Kuala Lumpur – Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz has said Malaysia's inflation may reach around 11 percent if the government does not implement subsidies for essential items like fuel. Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz has said Malaysia's inflation may reach around 11%. (Photo: theedgemarkets.com) The minister told the press that Malaysia's inflation is forecast to be 2.2 percent -3.2 percent. In fact, for the first six months of the year, inflation was around 2.5 percent, and that was largely due to the large size of subsidies that the government introduced. Malaysia's inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, increased 3.4 percent year-on-year in June, led by costlier food, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said on July 22. Nonetheless, Tengku Zafrul acknowledged that the current blanket subsidy policy is not sustainable for the country, but it is necessary for economic recovery in the short term. The government is managing the economy cautiously, and the … [Read more...] about Malaysia’s inflation may hit double digits: Finance Minister