Worldbuilding how to make country borders

The fifth plenary session of the 15th National Assembly has discussed and approved a number of important draft bills, including three new amendments to regulations that have significant impacts on the tourism industry in Vietnam. These policies are expected to boost the recovery and development of the tourism sector. Martin Koerner - Chairman EuroCham Vietnam’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee The first law is to extend the visa exemption duration from the current 15 days to 45 days for citizens of countries that currently can travel to Vietnam visa exempt, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. This law aims to attract more tourists from these key markets and encourage them to stay longer and spend more here. The second law is to expand the list of countries eligible for e-visa from 46 to 80, including markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. The e-visa allows visitors to apply … [Read more...] about The future of tourism in Vietnam new visa policies and beyond

Difficulties on way out for Vietnam’s Visa policy The short duration of stay, along with complicated factors related to the visa application procedure, have been causing headaches for foreign tourists. However, the Minister of Public Security has submitted to the National Assembly a draft amendment and supplement to a number of articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam at the end of May. The new draft has proposed to increase the duration of e-visas from no more than 30 days to a maximum of three months, valid for one time or multiple times. At the same time, the scope of e-visa issuance would be expanded to more than 80 countries and temporary residence would rise from 15 to 45 days. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also proposed to consider supplementing the pilot regulation of issuing visas at border gates for international tourists. This proposal also requires a clearer regulation of the extension of visa-free entry for … [Read more...] about Difficulties on way out for Vietnam’s Visa policy

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam (R) and Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun inspect the guard of honour. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 5 for a delegation of the National Police Agency (NPA) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) led by Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun. Lam stressed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK has made progress, contributing to promoting bilateral relations, meeting aspirations of their people, for peace and prosperity of both nations. He noted with pleasure outcomes of the second phase of the project on improving criminal science capacity funded by the Korean agency, saying it has helped raise criminal science capacity for the Vietnamese ministry’s officers. To strengthen relations between the two countries as well as the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the NPA, the minister suggested the two sides continue consolidating their … [Read more...] about Vietnamese ministry strengthens cooperation with RoK National Police Agency

"The pandemic years are behind us and borders are open as normal," Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), told IATA's annual summit of some 300 carriers. IATA boosted its industry profit forecast to $9.8 billion from $4.7 billion cheered by strong travel demand and an easing in oil prices. Revenue is expected to grow by 9.7% to $803 billion, inching closer to 2019's pre-pandemic level of $838 billion. But slender profit margins of 1.2% mean repairing damaged balance sheets and offering sustainable returns on investments will continue to be a headache for some airlines, Walsh said. He said airlines on average make $2.25 per passenger, "which is less than the price of a cup of coffee, a subway ticket". The profit forecast, raised from one given in December, reflected a boost in Europe, despite a wave of strikes. Airlines have in recent months reported strong results as they prepare for a busy summer season, with travel demand … [Read more...] about Global airlines more than double 2023 profit outlook

Most other fruit exports saw double-digit growth, though banana and dragon fruit saw declines, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. With durian entering the harvest season, some 700 trucks, many carrying the fruit, were stuck at the Vietnam-China border last week, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had to step in and order officials to clear the congestion on May 31. Vietnam now has 293 durian farming areas and 115 packaging facilities approved for exports to China. The two countries signed a protocol last year for export of fresh durian. Mangosteen and banana have also been approved for exports through official channels to China. Vietnam is negotiating with its neighbor to also export other fresh fruits such as watermelon, lychee, longan, rambutan, and mango. … [Read more...] about Durian exports jump 6-fold

The most effective competitive advantage for Vietnam's economy is creating a favorable business investment environment free of legal barriers. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a decree to urge ministries and provinces/cities to boost administrative reforms and improve the investment environment to support local enterprises. Electronics production at Katolec Vietnam in Quang Minh Industrial Park, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times "A conducive investment environment is a fundamental platform helping businesses operate smoothly and drive growth. This, in turn, promotes job creation and contributes to overall socio-economic development," said the decree. Vietnam has been trying to cut administrative regulations and compliance costs as part of its national digital transformation effort. As of May 2023, the country's total number of administrative procedures was 6,422, 376 fewer than the same period in 2020. This is expected to improve the … [Read more...] about PM urges greater efforts to accelerate administrative reforms

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi at the meeting in Hanoi on June 5. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hanoi on June 5, calling on the UAE to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon finalise talks on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The host leader hailed the two sides’ efforts to promote negotiations on the CEPA, especially when the two countries are celebrating the 30th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2023. He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and being a good friend, trustworthy partner, and responsible member of the international community. The country is also working to develop an … [Read more...] about PM calls for early finalisation of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with UAE

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son . (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang has said Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son’s attendance at the 2023 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) and official visit to France from June 5-8 would provide an opportunity to reaffirm the common perception of the vision of the bilateral relations and the determination to promote deeper and closer connections between the two countries, particularly in meeting their requirements in the new context. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Paris, Thang said it is the first visit to France by a Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership a decade ago. It is also meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th … [Read more...] about FM’s France visit to reaffirm common perception of vision of bilateral ties: Ambassador

At a conference on solutions to develop and promote investment in real estate for agricultural tourism in Vietnam on May 25 in Hanoi, an action programme was discussed to create motivation for agro-tourism and rural development. Legal synchronisation can unlock agro-tourism potential Organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Vietnam National Real Estate Association (VNREA), it was the first time that a large-scale event discussed such issues. Nguyen Van Khoi, chairman of VNREA, said that the development of agricultural tourism is gradually becoming a trend in rural areas, especially in agricultural economy countries like Vietnam. It not only benefits the industry but also contributes to increasing the value of the land, raising opportunities for economic development, and improving the lives of local people. “In order to increase the value of the land through the development of agricultural and rural tourism, a sustainable development … [Read more...] about Legal synchronisation can unlock agro-tourism potential

Illustrative photo (Photo: Breeding Magazine) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam spent 2.04 billion USD to import animal feed and raw material s for the production of this kind of commodity in the first five months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). The figure marks a year-on-year decrease of 2%. Animal feed and raw materials from Argentina to Vietnam accounted for 25.8% of the total market shares, followed by India (18.3%) and the US (15.2%). Compared to the same period last year, the imports from the three countries increased by 3.9%, 130%, and 28.3%, respectively. MARD recommends that to reduce reliance on imported animal feed, farmers in localities should make use of available domestic raw materials, produce animal feed by themselves to reduce cost, and find sources of raw materials for animal feed production. Ministries and agencies were asked to tighten control over the import of meat and by-products, support importers … [Read more...] about Vietnam spends over 2 billion USD on animal feed, material imports in 5 months