Zero cancellation policy

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

Tens of thousands of tourists stranded in a Covid-hit resort city in southern China due to travel curbs can begin leaving in batches, authorities said Tuesday, but many remain trapped. Residents and tourists in the southern Chinese province of Hainan line up to be tested for the coronavirus on Monday. — AFP More than 80,000 holidaymakers in Sanya on the island of Hainan -- often called "China's Hawaii" -- saw their vacations turn into a nightmare when officials declared a Covid emergency and cancelled flights and train ticket sales over the weekend. Sanya, home to more than a million people, is battling its worst outbreak in two years with more than 1,500 cases reported between August 1 and 9, according to official data. China is the only major economy still sticking to a zero-Covid strategy that uses snap lockdowns and long quarantine periods to contain outbreaks before they spread. The local health bureau on Tuesday announced that some tourists would be … [Read more...] about Tourists trapped in ‘China’s Hawaii’ over Covid to start leaving

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

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

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

The Moffatts, one of the most beloved boybands the 1990s and 2000s, performed at the HAY Glamping Music Festival in Hanoi last Saturday night. Thousands of fans stood in the rain for hours to cheer their idols. Bob and Clint, two members of the boyband, visited Sa Pa, around 320 kilometers from Hanoi, earlier this month and shot a music video there to promote tourism. They stayed at the Ville de Mont Mountain Resort, which stands 1,500 meters above sea level overlooking the Muong Hoa Valley and Ham Rong Mountain. Bob posted a photo of terraced rice fields on his Instagram account. The rice fields have become a major tourist attraction in the northern highlands. On Sunday, Dave, another member of the boyband, posted on his Instagram account a video of himself walking along HCMC's Bui Vien Street, once famous as a backpacker haunt, but now equally popular with locals. The street is dotted with bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors that operate until late. The Moffatts were … [Read more...] about The Moffatts visit Sa Pa, Phu Quoc, HCMC

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

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 15th National Assembly (NA)'s Standing Committee convened its 14th session in Hanoi on August 9 afternoon, under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue . In his opening remarks, Hue said that the session will last for two days and a half, during which the committee will look into a draft report on the outcomes of the thematic supervision of policies and laws on thrift practice and anti-wastefulness for 2016-2021. This work is scheduled to be scrutinised during the 15th NA’s fourth session, expected to open on October 20, he added. He went on to say that lawmakers will offer opinions on socio-economic issues regarding the middle-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period, and the Government’s proposal for policies aimed at employers and employees affected by COVID-19. An overview of the session. (Photo: VNA) Also at this session, the committee will consider the … [Read more...] about 15th NA’s Standing Committee convenes 14th session

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

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency . - Vietnam always wants to promote solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation with Cambodia, considering this a priority in its foreign policy, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang told Cambodian guests in Hanoi on August 8. Giang hosted a reception for a delegation of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) led by Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. Read full story - Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to expand 7.5% in 2022 and 6.7% 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% in Q4 of 2021, and … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest August 9