The latest decision is expected to boost the traveling of visitors to Vietnam in the context that the country's Covid-19 infections have dropped to a 10-month low. Vietnam has removed the pre-entry Covid-19 testing requirements for all arrivals, starting today [May 15], according to a recent government’s instruction. It comes as the numbers of Covid-19 infections and deaths drop both in Vietnam and around the world. Vietnam has reported no Covid-19 related deaths over the past week while infections fell to a 10-month low of around 1,800 cases per day. In an official document issued this weekend, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh cited a World Health Organization (WHO)’s report that the pandemic has tended to subside worldwide, shown by the reducing number of new contractions and fatalities, and that the vaccines are still effective against variants of the novel coronavirus. In such context, many countries have been taking steps to ease Covid-19 restrictions, including removing … [Read more...] about Visitors to Vietnam no longer required Covid-19 testing
Vaccines required for vietnam
Foreigners happy as Vietnam lifts Covid testing requirement
American Justin Douglas told VnExpress International he was glad to hear the test requirement went on May 15. "At this point I think Covid is endemic and that testing serves no significant purpose anymore besides presenting a bureaucratic hassle for traveling. "In addition to the high costs, there was the added stress of finding out where you can get a suitable test, and getting it at the right time." "Vietnam is my favorite country and I have been waiting to go back." Yves Badaroux also of the U.S. said he backed the government's decision as many countries across the world have already done so. "Removing the test conveys a message that the country really wants tourists to come back. "We plan to visit Vietnam in October and November. We miss Vietnam. We have been there five times already and cannot wait to come back." Singaporean Ben Teh said: "This is great news. We don't have to bother to get a PCR or antigen rapid test done because it's really costly and makes no … [Read more...] about Foreigners happy as Vietnam lifts Covid testing requirement
Avoid unworthwhile investments, try estate taxes, Vietnam advised
At a Saturday conference in Harvard University on Vietnam's development strategy in the 21st century, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam's economy has expanded into the fourth largest economy in ASEAN and among the world's top 12 economies with the largest scale of commerce. The country also takes part in 15 active FTAs, he said. Economist David Dapic said Vietnam taking part in FTAs was a major success. Millions of farmers have moved on to work in factories as a result. But the fact that most materials for production are imported from China is a weakness, he added. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, borders were closed and there was commercial tension, Vietnam's exports were affected, Dapic said. Vietnam's trade turnover with the U.S. may reach $100 billion this year. Such a figure might be small for the U.S., but Vietnam should take note to remain in constant communication and avoid being accused of currency manipulation, he advised. Nguyen Thi Hong, head of the … [Read more...] about Avoid unworthwhile investments, try estate taxes, Vietnam advised
Climate change response among AFD’s cooperation priorities in Vietnam
AFD Executive Director Philippe Orliange (left) has recently paid a working visit to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Responding to climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts are among priorities of the French Development Agency (AFD)’s cooperation priorities in Vietnam, AFD Executive Director Philippe Orliange has affirmed. Such cooperation priorities completely match commitments made by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties ( COP26 ) in Glasgow, Scotland (the UK), last November, Orliange said in an interview with the press. The AFD Executive Director, who has recently paid a working visit to Vietnam, also lauded the Vietnamese government’s strong commitments at COP26. Under the cooperation strategy, the AFD has promoted in-depth discussions with Vietnam’s government agencies on policies regarding climate change impacts, during which … [Read more...] about Climate change response among AFD’s cooperation priorities in Vietnam
Vietnam continues seeing falling daily Covid-19 infections, no death
The number of new Covid-19 infections continued to drop with 1,594 cases recorded on Sunday, down 301 cases from the previous day, according to the Ministry of Health. According to the ministry's report, most of the new patients are locally-transmitted cases confirmed in 53 out of 63 localities in the country with some localities seeing the highest numbers including Hanoi (461), Quang Ninh (88), Nghe An (80), and Yen Bai 80. As of Sunday evening, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to over 10.70 million. The country now stands 12th among 227 countries and territories worldwide in the number of infections. On May 15, an additional 5,448 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to over 9.35 million. On Sunday evening, no death related to Covid-19 was announced, total fatalities stayed at 43,065. By May 14, the country had injected nearly 217 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including over 2.50 million … [Read more...] about Vietnam continues seeing falling daily Covid-19 infections, no death
Vietnam’s path to becoming a cybersecurity powerhouse
Decisive factors Cybersecurity plays an important role in accelerating the national digital transformation process. According to Trinh Ngoc Minh, a member of the Executive Committee of Vietnam Information Security Association’s (VNISA) southern branch, Vietnam has significantly improved its data privacy protection capabilities and was listed among the top 25 countries and territories (out of 194) in the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI). Minh said investment and interest in Vietnam's cybersecurity have been growing, with spending in this field increasing 50 percent and numerous domestically developed information security products put into use. Minh explained that a cybersecurity powerhouse is able to affect the world's cybersecurity system, pointing to the US, Russia and Israel as outstanding examples of such powers. Sharing Minh’s view, Vice Chair of VNISA and Deputy Chair of Bkav, Ngo Tuan Anh, said Vietnam boasts a highly qualified IT (information technology) … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s path to becoming a cybersecurity powerhouse
Prime Minister receives US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry . (Photo: VNA) Boston (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Boston on May 14 (local time) as part of his working trip to the US. PM Chinh highlighted Kerry’s heartfelt sentiments towards the country and people of Vietnam, as well as his responsibility and enduring contributions to Vietnam-US relations over the past years. He also praised Kerry for his role in building the two-Party consensus in the US in supporting the relationship with Vietnam, especially the settlement of war consequences – part of the process of reconciliation and trust-building between the people of the two countries. Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, and being a good friend and a reliable … [Read more...] about Prime Minister receives US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
No COVID-19 deaths, 1,594 new cases recorded on Sunday
An ethnic woman in the northern Cao Bằng Province’s Thượng Thôn Commune receives her third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. VNA/VNS Photo Chu Hiệu HÀ NỘI — A total of 1,594 new COVID-19 infections were detected with no deaths reported on Sunday. The latest number brings the total national caseload to 10,696,630 so far. All the new infections were domestic. A total of 1,029 new transmissions were detected in the community. The capital city of Hà Nội continued to record the highest number of infections with 461, followed by northern Quảng Ninh Province with 88. The other cases were found in Nghệ An (80), Yên Bái (80), Tuyên Quang (73), Phú Thọ (73), Bắc Ninh (57), Thái Bình (47), Đà Nẵng (46), Quảng Bình (46), Thái Nguyên (45), Lào Cai (44), Vĩnh Phúc (41), Ninh Bình (29), Sơn La (28), Bình Phước (26), Nam Định (26), Hồ Chí Minh City (25), Bình Dương (24), Bắc Kạn (23), Hà Nam (23), Hải Dương (22), Hà Tĩnh (21), Hòa Bình (20), Hải Phòng (19), Hưng Yên (19), Lâm Đồng (18), Lạng Sơn … [Read more...] about No COVID-19 deaths, 1,594 new cases recorded on Sunday
US climate envoy Kerry pledges to assist Việt Nam with energy transition, climate change
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has a meeting with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Boston on May 14 (US time). — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Boston on May 14 (local time) as part of his working trip to the US. PM Chính highlighted Kerry’s heartfelt sentiments towards the country and people of Việt Nam, as well as his responsibility and enduring contributions to Việt Nam-US relations over the past years. He also praised Kerry for his role in building the two-Party consensus in the US in supporting the relationship with Việt Nam, especially the settlement of war consequences – part of the process of reconciliation and trust-building between the people of the two countries. Việt Nam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, and … [Read more...] about US climate envoy Kerry pledges to assist Việt Nam with energy transition, climate change
HCMC takes belated steps to sort out skyscraper mess
Experts say such tight restrictions should have been imposed long ago to avoid the current mess and chaos on many roads. Cars and motorbikes crowded Pho Quang Street in Tan Binh District on Tuesday morning last week, dragging themselves sluggishly towards the downtown area. The road, an entrance to the Tan Son Nhat Airport, is just two kilometers long and only eight meters wide. Yet there are 15 skyscrapers lining it, with tens of thousands of apartments, hotels and offices. The largest project on the street is an apartment complex with four blocks and 16 floors, hosting around 500 apartments. It has been open for about five years. There are other complexes with 8-10 floors and a hospital, so the street is always crowded. It gets hellish during rush hours. Pho Quang isn’t the only street plagued by quickly rising skyscrapers and infrastructures that can’t keep up with them. Nguyen Huu Tho, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Mai Chi Tho are a few more examples. HCMC … [Read more...] about HCMC takes belated steps to sort out skyscraper mess