When incomes increase in foreign countries foreigners may be

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s visa policy should be more open to lure international tourists , insiders have said. Although the country has offered unilateral visa exemption and e-visas, the policy is not competitive enough as the 15-day visa exemption has yet to satisfy the need of visitors from such markets as Europe, North America and Australia, who often stay from three to four weeks in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Culture , Sports and Tourism (MCST). Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said the ministry should propose the Government instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expand the list of countries and territories qualified for visa exemption and e-visa, and restore visa granting at border gates. She also suggested simplifying visa procedures for visitors who get infected with COVID-19 during their stay in Vietnam and undergo treatment in the Southeast Asian nation. The … [Read more...] about Relaxing visa policy to attract more foreign tourists: insiders

The capital city will promote education quality to meet national and international standards. Hanoi's education sector maintains its leading position in the country, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Education and Training Nguyen Quang Tuan said at a conference this week to discuss the results of the academic year 2021-2022. According to Tuan, by the end of June 2022, the whole city has 2,835 schools with more than 2 million students in grades one to 12, and 120 universities and colleges with nearly 1 million students, in addition to nearly 300 vocational training institutions with 192,590 students. "The facilities, equipment and application of information technology for teaching and learning in schools continue to receive investment in the direction of standardization, synchronization and modernity," said the deputy director. A foreign language lesson for students at Chu Van An Secondary School in Hanoi's Thanh Tri District. Photo: Viet Thanh … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s education sector maintains its leading position in the country

A store selling OCOP products in Quang Ninh. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The northern province of Quang Ninh now has more than 500 products developed by 189 companies, cooperatives and production facilities under the “ One Commune , One Product ” (OCOP) programme, local data shows. Of the total, 267 have been rated from three to five stars. Most of OCOP products win preference by customers and have gained a strong foothold in the market, with many now available in foreign countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted production and supply chains, taking a heavy toll on the health of many OCOP producers, said Hoang Duc Kha, Deputy Director of the Industry and Trade Promotion and Development Centre under the provincial Department of Industry and Trade. He said Quang Ninh will selectively organise and attend trade promotion events in order to stimulate domestic demand post-pandemic and boost sales of OCOP products, reviving local enterprises. Kha highlighted … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh revives OCOP product promotion to boost post-pandemic recovery

The Ha Noi-based Soc Son waste-to-energy (WTE) plant. It was connected to the national grid on July 25. — Photo toquoc.vn The UK – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA) is opening significant opportunities for enterprises from both sides to enhance cooperation in green energy transition and digital transformation as the Southeast Asian country strives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and embrace new drivers for economic growth. Viet Nam was making strong efforts towards the goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045, to which digital transformation and energy transition are considered launch pads for the economy. During a visit to the UK from August 10 to 15, Politburo Member and Head of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh said that Viet Nam had set strategic goals in digital transformation, digital economy and green energy conversion to achieve rapid, sustainable and inclusive growth and net zero carbon emissions as well as adaptation to the … [Read more...] about UKFTA promotes cooperation in digital transformation, energy transition as VN strives for a sustainable future

At a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Wednesday, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the HCMC Department of Tourism, proposed the government order the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider waiving visas for more countries, instead of the present 24 . She also urged the government to extend visa-free stays for tourists from Western European countries from the current 15 to 30 days because Westerners tend to make longer trips, Vietnam News Agency reported. She also expected the government to simplify e-visa issuance procedures to facilitate tourist entry. Nguyen Thien Phuc, product manager of Ho Chi Minh City-based Vidotour Indochina Travel, also petitioned the government to remove visa obstacles to attract foreign tourists for the rest of the year. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, admitted though Vietnam reopened its borders to foreign tourists, its visa policies are less attractive than neighboring countries. Earlier, he … [Read more...] about Tourism industry insiders urge govt to ease visa requirements

Exports increased 17% year on year in the first half of 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam saw a year-on-year increase of 17% in exports in the first six months, but it will be hard for overseas shipments to meet expectations in the last half of the year, according to the HSBC . In its “Vietnam at a glance” report released on August 17, it said after the impressive export growth in H1, a slower-than-expected pace has been recorded since the start of H2. The main cause is a growth slowdown in the electronics industry, especially mobile phones. Samsung’s second-quarter results show that demand for consumer electronics is weakening, thus affecting the smartphone, TV, and other segments. While textile, garment and footwear exports rose sharply, by 30% from a year earlier, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association forecast the amount ordered will decline in the time ahead. In July, import growth also slowed down to only 3.4% compared to the double-figure … [Read more...] about Export growth may be slower than expected in H2: HSBC

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Kazakhstan should enhance cooperation in areas of good potential such as agriculture, tourism and transportation, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a reception for Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi in Hanoi on August 18. He spoke highly of the visit to Vietnam by the Kazakh official on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, and noted his belief that the visit will contribute to consolidating and promoting the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Vietnam always attaches importance to the good traditional friendship with Kazakhstan, the President said, expressing his pleasure at positive developments of their bilateral political ties, with the regular exchange of all-level delegations through Party, National Assembly and State … [Read more...] about President suggests Vietnam, Kazakhstan enhance cooperation in areas of potential

The collection of Czech-Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Czech poems are edited by Sys and writer and translator Do Ngoc Viet Dung (Do.honza), also a writer, co-authored a collection of poems by Czech and Vietnamese poets. The 762-page bilingual book, which includes works of many famous poets namely To Huu, Xuan Dieu, and Jaroslav Seifert, was honored at the 7th National Foreign Press Award. It was published by the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House. The Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Embassy held a ceremony on August 17 to present the award to the Czech writer. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung appreciated Sys’s contribution to popularising Vietnamese culture and literary works in the Czech Republic, helping promote the relationship between the two countries. For his part, the Czech writer said it was a great honor for him to receive the award. It was difficult to translate from Czech to Vietnamese and vice versa, requiring the cooperation of … [Read more...] about Czech writer wins Vietnamese national information service award

Electric motorbikes manufactured by Vinfast. Many UK businesses are looking into electric mobility industry in Vietnamwhich is expected to grow by double digits in the next few years. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Many British investors are seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam in the hope of cashing in on free trade agreements ( FTA s) that Vietnam has signed with the UK and other economies worldwide. The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which officially took effect in May 2021, was one of the first trade deals inked by the UK after it left the European Union by the end of 2020, which reflected the importance of Vietnam in the UK’s trade policy. Bilateral trade and investment between the two economies have grown significantly with a growth rate of 17% last year. Data of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed as of October 20, 2021, the UK had 439 valid projects amounting to nearly 4 billion USD in registered … [Read more...] about More British investors look at Vietnam to cash in on free trade agreements

Denmark, through strategic sector cooperation (SSC) with Vietnam, helps implement national action plan in agriculture while promoting the engagement of stakeholders in the value chain. Among issues shared at an event held in Hanoi on August 17, Vietnamese officials, experts, and businesses were impressed with the philosophy of “producing more from less” in Denmark’s agri-food sector. Denmark targets the climate-neutral food industry by 2050. Photo: Danish Agriculture and Food Council Troels Jakobsen, Trade Counsellor of the Embassy of Denmark, said Denmark produces three times more food than the Danish population can consume, with some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. The idea was shared at Seminar – Business Matchmaking held in Hanoi on August 17 to discuss Danish experiences and solutions in sustainable agri-food production. Meanwhile, Jeppe Søndergaard Pedersen, International Chief Advisor, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, … [Read more...] about “Produce more from less”: Danish agricultural philosophy for Vietnam