World travel

Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai government will fully support this year's Songkran Festival , which takes place from April 13-15, with 17 – 20 million people expected to travel around the country next month. According to Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri , Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had ordered state agencies to prepare grand events for the holiday. The expected number of tourist represents a significant increase from the COVID-19 pandemic period. Anucha said the government has launched campaigns to encourage people to enjoy trips and travel during public holidays between now and September under the Tourism Authority of Thailand's "Visit Thailand Year: Amazing New Chapters" scheme and such campaigns as We Travel Together, Wonder Deal and Secret Code 365. To ensure safety, visitors are encouraged to install the "I Lert U" smartphone application, which allows users to report issues and request assistance. Moreover, it locates the caller and sends help using the … [Read more...] about Thailand expects 17-20 million travelers during Songkran Festival

To prevent similar genocides, the world must eliminate hatred and preserve friendship and love. The world must prevent the recurrence of "another Holocaust," the German and Israeli ambassadors said at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Hanoi on March 29. Musicians perform at the Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Hanoi on March 29. Photo: Phuong Anh/The Hanoi Times The commemoration is aimed at ensuring that the Holocaust is not forgotten as it is part of the history of the German and Jewish people, said Guido Hildner, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Vietnam. The German Ambassador said the world could not allow similar events to happen in the future and called on all governments and people to remain vigilant, pray, and never forget the Holocaust. Ambassador of Israel to Vietnam Yaron Mayer said that because of the Holocaust, many Israeli people did not have the chance to meet their grandparents. He warned that another Holocaust could … [Read more...] about There cannot be another genocide: Ambassadors

At an altitude of 1,900 metres, the highest mountain of the northwest province of Cao Bang sported a white snow cover. Mount Phia Oac, situated in Cao Bang Geopark, was one of the main tourist attractions of the province. The rare phenomenon of icy snow coating the mountain top was reported twice since the beginning of this winter. Visitors flocked to the geopark to admire the snow and ice at the peak. Due to the low temperature and the heavy rain, travellers were strongly recommended to bring warm clothes and high-friction footwear. Winter 2017, one of the harshest winters in history, struck the northwest region. In less than one month, the temperature at the peak of Mount Phia Oac reached near 0 degrees Celsius. Previously, snow cover first appeared on the peak of Mount Phia Oac in November 1977, in a record-low one degree Celsius. The snow coating, however, only lasted for less than 24 hours as it melted the very next day. … [Read more...] about Mount Phia Oac dons white snow coating

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo speaks at a high-level seminar entitled ‘From ASEAN to The World’ and themed ‘Payment System in the Digital Era’ in Badung, Bali on March 28, 2023. (Photo:ANTARA) Jakarta (VNA) – The ASEAN Central Bank Deputies Meeting (ACDM) took place on March 28 in Indonesia to discuss the priority economic deliverables (PEDs) in 2023. The meeting was held as part of the first Meeting of the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (AFMGM), which is taking place from March 28 to 31, 2023. The event saw the participation of deputy governors and central banks’ representatives from nine member states, namely the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM), the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) of the Philippines, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL), Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). Speaking at the opening ceremony, … [Read more...] about Central banks in ASEAN discuss economic priorities

Local experts suggest it is necessary to coordinate with employers in the recruitment, organization of training, and retraining of employees to overcome the shortage of qualified workers and contribute to the recovery of production and business activities. Hanoi's authorities will come up with specific solutions to improve the quality of labor and link vocational training with labor market demand, targeting 73.2% of skilled workers by the end of 2023. Submunicipal authorities, experts, and people have shared with Hanoimoi Newspaper the labor market outlook and proposals to address problems related to recruitment and vocational training problems in the city. Local workers are learning sewing skills at the Hanoi Center for Employment Service. Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper Director of Hanoi Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Bach Lien Huong : Focus on linking vocational training with enterprises In recent years, vocational training … [Read more...] about Solutions to boost labor quality: Experts

The CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered, shared his view on Vietnam's significance for US businesses and why Vietnam is potential for foreign investors. Vietnam has gone from being a frontier economy in ASEAN to a flourishing, cost-effective industrial nation. Firms and investors looking for new markets to grow, source, or manufacture their products – especially in Asia – should consider Vietnam’s long-term potential and stay updated on its opportunities. Steven Cranwell, CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered. Photo: Standard Chartered In recent years, Vietnam has benefited from the trade tensions between the US and China. With US companies adopting a ‘China plus one’ approach to their supply chains, the percentage of exports from Vietnam to the US has risen by approximately nine percent between 2018 and 2021. It is, however, important to note that Vietnam has been an alternative to China … [Read more...] about The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice: Standard Chartered

The relaxation of visa requirements is an urgent necessity for the attraction of more tourists and the recovery of Vietnam's tourism industry. The Government of Vietnam is seeking approval from the National Assembly to issue electronic visas to citizens of all countries and territories. International tourists on the way to the sandy beach in the southern province of Khanh Hoa's Cam Ranh Coastal City. Photo: Trung Vu/ The Hanoi Times Accordingly, Vietnam would extend visa validity from 30 to less than 90 days for single or multiple entries and stay from 15 to 45 days for foreign visitors from Vietnam's Visa Waiver Program countries and territories. The measure is seen as a boost for the development of Vietnam's "smokeless industry", which will enhance the competitiveness of national tourism in Southeast Asia. The country reinstated the visa waiver policy for citizens of 24 countries after three years of border closures due to Covid-19. Despite being one … [Read more...] about Vietnam considers issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories

The press conference launching the ninth National External Information Service Awards on March 29 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Steering Committee for External Information Service, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education , the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), and relevant agencies launched the ninth National External Information Service Awards on March 29. The awards aim to honour outstanding authors, works, and publications in the field of external information service and help popularise the country’s development achievements in various areas. The Vietnam News Agency is the standing body of the ninth National External Information Service Awards. Addressing a press conference in Hanoi, Le Hai Binh , alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, and Standing Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee for External Information Service, said that first … [Read more...] about Ninth National External Information Service Awards launched

On March 28, an official welcoming ceremony was held for the Vietnamese Defense Minister and the delegation with 19 series of cannon shots at the RoK Defense Ministry’s headquarters. After the reception, the two defense ministers held talks. The RoK defense minister warmly welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart and military delegation, while highly appreciating the sound relations between the two countries over the past time, especially the increasingly intensive and effective defense relations. Gen. Giang thanked the host for his warm reception, expressing his pleasure to pay an official visit to the RoK as the two countries have just upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He hoped that the visit would help concretize the two countries' partnership in defense, actively contributing to the bilateral relationship. At the talks, the two ministers discussed regional issues of mutual concern. Gen. Giang noted that peace, cooperation and development are still … [Read more...] about Defense Minister Phan Van Giang holds talks with RoK counterpart

In 2008, the US investment bank Bear Stearns, on the verge of collapse, had to be rescued by J.P. Morgan. This marked the beginning of the global financial crisis of 2008, which sent the global economy into a deep recession and caused significant economic damage, including massive employment losses. Patrick Lenain, senior associate at the Council on Economic Policies Today, several banks are once again in trouble. As of March 22, four large banks were in distress. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a $212 billion US bank specialising in tech startups, collapsed when it was unable to meet deposit withdrawal requests and had to be taken over by federal regulators. A few days later, Signature Bank, another midsized US bank with assets of $110 billion, also suffered a severe liquidity crisis and was seized by federal regulators. This was followed by First Republic Bank with assets of $205 billion, which was hit by rating downgrades and a tumbling share price and had to be … [Read more...] about Developments for Vietnam to watch in midst of bank crisis