Foreign tourists visit the Independence Palace in HCM City on August 8. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Strict visa policies and a shortage of human resources and infrastructure in the tourism sector have stymied recovery of the travel industry, and the target of five million international arrivals this year could be out of reach, industry players have warned. Domestic travel has seen a strong rebound whereas international tourism, with a target of five million arrivals this year, remains in a slump, said Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association. Domestic visitor numbers topped 71.1 million in just the first seven months of this year against a full-year target of 60 million, he said. In the same period there were only 733,000 international visitors, or 8% of pre-pandemic numbers, he told a two-day programme titled ‘Lien Ket Suc Manh Du Lich Vietnam Nam 2022’ (Power of Vietnam Tourism Linkages) that ended in Ho Chi Minh City on August 9. Though … [Read more...] about Vietnam mulls ways to boost inbound travel
Vietnam tea association
Vietnam still struggles to welcome back int’l tourists
With the peak summer travel season drawing to a close, Vietnam’s international tourism segment still faces bottlenecks on its route to full recovery. Within the framework of a program early this week to discuss the current state of the Vietnamese tourism sector, representatives from businesses and organizations across the country voiced doubts that Vietnam will meet its goal of welcoming five million foreign tourists by the end of the year if regulations governing visa policies, infrastructure, and personnel are not relaxed. Incomplete recovery According to Cao Thi Tuyet Lan, sales manager at Viettours Incentives & Events Co. Ltd., foreign tourists still find it difficult to enter the country despite Vietnam having fully reopened its borders. “What's more, it is hard to apply for visas for business travelers who work with domestic enterprises," Lan said. “[The domestic partner] first has to register [the foreign partner] with the Immigration Department, then wait for a … [Read more...] about Vietnam still struggles to welcome back int’l tourists
Seminar to spotlight Vietnam – France culture interference
The miscellanea “Doc duong” by Nguyen Ngoc (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn ) Hanoi (VNA) – A seminar on the Vietnam – France culture interference from the perspective of writer Nguyen Ngoc will be held by the French Institute in Vietnam and Nha Nam Culture and Communications Company on August 13. In his miscellanea “Doc duong”, including 34 articles and literary notes recently released, the writer highlights the culture interference between Vietnam and France in the early 20th century, and prominent intellectual figures of Vietnam in the period. The early 2 0th century was a period of important historical movements, which witnessed the strong culture interference between France and Vietnam, and the coming into being of a generation of outstanding intellectuals such as Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chau Trinh, and Huynh Thuc Khang who approached both Eastern and Western culture s. Ngoc's work features articles related to his literary and cultural activities, and excerpts from … [Read more...] about Seminar to spotlight Vietnam – France culture interference
Art programme raises awareness on AO/dioxin disaster in Vietnam
At the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – An art programme on AO/dioxin disaster and efforts to address its consequences took place in Hanoi on August 10 on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the disaster in Vietnam. It featured art performances, reportages, and exchanges with domestic and international individuals who have made contributions to the remediation of the hazardous chemical and support for AO victims . The event aimed to raise public awareness on the matters and honour victims who have made great efforts to overcome harsh circumstances as well as individuals and organisations in Vietnam and abroad with significant contributions to the alleviation of the disaster consequences. President of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin (VAVA) Nguyen Van Rinh said the Party and State have paid attention to difficulties facing the victims and issued many policies to assist them. Every year, dozens of trillion VND is spent on helping … [Read more...] about Art programme raises awareness on AO/dioxin disaster in Vietnam
Vietnam’s star rises in global supply chains
Great opportunities Vietnam has climbed up the value chain over the years, becoming a key electronics manufacturing hub, attracting stable foreign direct investment with its sound macro fundamentals, preferential tax incentives and an abundance of relatively cheap and productive labor. Electronics, a major driving force of Vietnam’s export growth Vietnamese enterprises are increasingly integrating into the global production chain, as confirmed by international organizations, including the World Bank and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in their reports. For decades an apparel and footwear exporter with a low value added, Vietnam has gradually become an important production center in the technology industry, according to HSBC. Ngo Dang Khoa, HSBC Vietnam’s Country Head of Markets and Securities, said Vietnam has become a production center of electronics and cell phone components, helping it lure an increasing number of foreign … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s star rises in global supply chains
Vietnam looks to draw reputable U.S. investors: Ambassador
In a meeting on August 9 with Robert McCooey, Senior Vice President of Nasdaq's Listing Services unit, who leads business development for new listings in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, the Vietnamese diplomat said Vietnam wants to attract big firms from the U.S. to invest in the above-mentioned areas, especially those that can contribute to implementing Vietnam's commitments at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). The Delegation of Vietnam to the U.N. is ready to cooperate with Nasdaq in the organization of meetings and seminars to this purpose, especially on the occasion of working visits of Vietnam’s high-ranking delegations to New York, he affirmed. McCooey said that Vietnam's investment environment has a clear competitive advantage in the region thanks to its flexible response policy to the COVID-19 pandemic, and stable legal system. He welcomed the suggestion of the delegation, saying Nasdaq is willing to work with the delegation to introduce … [Read more...] about Vietnam looks to draw reputable U.S. investors: Ambassador
High-quality human resources key to sustainable tourism industry
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - As tourism continues to revive, the hotel and tourism industry is suffering from challenges in recruiting qualified human resources post pandemic, industry players warned. Speaking at a seminar on August 9 in HCM City, Dr Nguyen Anh Tuan, director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research, said there was a lack of high-quality staff in the industry. Vu The Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association , said that human resources were a weak point for the industry even before the pandemic. “Efficient, hard-working, and resourceful human resources are the backbone of any successful business. It is even more so in the case of the hotel industry.” Successful hotel operations are sustained by customer-oriented and hard-working employees who have adequate competencies, he added. A large number of hotels and resorts stopped operation during the two-year pandemic, and coming back could prove challenging, he … [Read more...] about High-quality human resources key to sustainable tourism industry
Legalities in way of blockchain progress
At the “International experience on blockchain technology development and recommendations for Vietnam” conference held last Friday, Michael R. DiGregorio, the Asia Foundation’s country representative in Vietnam, suggested that the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) should allow businesses to experimentally approach areas that are not clearly regulated by laws, such as blockchain. Legalities in way of blockchain progress, illustration photo The Asian Foundation is collaborating with Vietnam Blockchain Corporation and jupviec.vn to pilot the application of blockchain. After the blockchain platform is successfully integrated into jupviec.vn, the system will connect about 2,000 domestic helpers with potential customers through the website and mobile application. This creates favourable conditions for workers when looking for a job, helping to increase their ability to negotiate salaries and other benefits related to their work records and professional … [Read more...] about Legalities in way of blockchain progress
Vietnamese specialties displayed at Hong Kong Food Expo
Vietnamese stall at Hong Kong Food Expo (Photo: VNA) Hong Kong (VNA) – The Vietnamese Consulate General and Vietnam Trade Office in Hong Kong (China) are introducing a variety of Vietnamese specialties at the Hong Kong Food Expo from August 11-15. As one of the most important events of Hong Kong's food and beverage sector, the expo was organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and drew exhibitors from Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China and Southeast Asian countries. Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong Pham Binh Dam expressed his hope that from 2023, more Vietnamese agricultural companies and products will be introduced at the event. Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Hong Kong Vu Thi Thuy hailed Hong Kong as a promising market for Vietnamese food and beverages as it imports almost consumer goods and food instead of producing them. According to the official, both sides share similarities in consumption culture while Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Vietnamese specialties displayed at Hong Kong Food Expo
What’s new in Viet Tan’s schemes?
Police officers on May 18, 2009 announced a decision to deport Viet Tan member Nguyen Van Be, a Vietnamese in Australia. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Viet Tan terrorist organization has made use of the internet, especially social media, to conduct propaganda and entice people to join its disguised groups on the internet. Under the cover of making social criticism and struggling for democracy, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, those groups in fact spread distorted information on the Party and State’s policies and guidelines in order to spur the hostile attitude among a part of the people. Making use of East Sea situation to undermine the administration Recently, using the complicated developments in the East Sea after China brought its survey vessels into Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, Viet Tan coordinated with other reactionary groups and associations to hold a series of demonstrations in many countries in order to incite its members and political … [Read more...] about What’s new in Viet Tan’s schemes?