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 Tourism minister proposes visa exemption for US, European travelers
Indonesian foreign minister
Vietnamese artists accused of raping British girl in Spain still under investigation despite repatriation: foreign ministry
The investigation into a British girl’s accusation that two Vietnamese male artists sexually assaulted her in Spain is still ongoing even though the two men already returned home , the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on Monday. A local court in Spain returned the passports to the two Vietnamese artists on August 3 after they successfully hired local lawyers to keep contact with the court on their behalf, according to the ministry. “These two citizens already left Spain,” an official of the ministry said. “The investigation of the case is still ongoing.” Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ta Quang Dong confirmed on Monday morning that the two artists arrived in Vietnam. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the Vietnamese Embassy in Spain is continually monitoring the case and is in contact with local authorities and the two Vietnamese nationals. The embassy also implemented necessary consular measures to protect the legitimate … [Read more...] about Vietnamese artists accused of raping British girl in Spain still under investigation despite repatriation: foreign ministry
ASEAN founding anniversary celebrated in Argentina, Mexico
Argentinian Deputy Foreign Minister Pablo Tettamanti (third, right) and ambassadors of ASEAN countries at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA) Buenos Aires (VNA) – The embassies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries in Argentina, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry of the host country, held a ceremony to mark the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN on August 8. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Quoc Thanh, rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires , reviewed the foundation and development of the ASEAN since 1967, highlighting the association’s success in maintaining peace and stability in the region, creating a favourable environment for cooperation and development of all member countries. With a population of more than 650 million and GDP of about 4 trillion USD in 2021, ASEAN is the most promising and dynamic market in the world, he said. Ambassador … [Read more...] about ASEAN founding anniversary celebrated in Argentina, Mexico