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Foreign tourists visit the Independence Palace in HCM City on August 8. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Strict visa policies and a shortage of human resources and infrastructure in the tourism sector have stymied recovery of the travel industry, and the target of five million international arrivals this year could be out of reach, industry players have warned. Domestic travel has seen a strong rebound whereas international tourism, with a target of five million arrivals this year, remains in a slump, said Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association. Domestic visitor numbers topped 71.1 million in just the first seven months of this year against a full-year target of 60 million, he said. In the same period there were only 733,000 international visitors, or 8% of pre-pandemic numbers, he told a two-day programme titled ‘Lien Ket Suc Manh Du Lich Vietnam Nam 2022’ (Power of Vietnam Tourism Linkages) that ended in Ho Chi Minh City on August 9. Though … [Read more...] about Vietnam mulls ways to boost inbound travel

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Governor of Gunma prefecture of Japan Yamamoto Ichita (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 4 hosted a reception for Governor of Gunma prefecture of Japan Yamamoto Ichita who is on a working visit to Vietnam. high political trust , saying that regular high-level delegation exchanges, economic-investment-trade and defence cooperation , and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides have been further promoted. Participants at the reception (Photo: VNA) Japan continues to be among Vietnam's top economic partners, the biggest ODA provider, the third largest investor and the fourth trade partner of Vietnam, the President said, noting that cooperation in tourism, labour, human resources training, and local cooperation between the two countries have been also further strengthened. Gunma prefecture , especially in economic, investment bond and people-to-people exchanges, have been being actively … [Read more...] about President receives Japanese guest

At the NA working session (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee adopted resolutions on the establishment of a town and a township, during its 14th session in Hanoi on August 11. Binh Phu township in Cai Lay district, the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, was formed from Binh Phu commune, with a total area of 19.07 sq.km and a population of more than 18,500. Meanwhile, Chon Thanh town in the southern province of Binh Phuoc was established from Chon Thanh district, covering 390.34 sq.km and with a population of 121,083. In his remarks, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue highlighted rapid urbanisation and great development potential of Chon Thanh, saying the locality should be upgraded to grow further. NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh urged Tien Giang and Binh Phuoc to pay more heed to the communication work to reach public consensus on local development trend and adjust administrative procedures following the adoption of the … [Read more...] about NA Standing Committee adopts resolutions on establishment of administrative units

Generating power from sunlight bouncing off the ground, working at night, even helping to grow strawberries: solar panel technology is evolving fast as costs plummet for a key segment of the world's energy transition. The International Energy Agency says solar will have to scale up significantly this decade to meet the Paris climate target of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The good news is that costs have fallen dramatically. In a report on solutions earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said solar unit costs had dropped 85 percent between 2010 and 2019, while wind fell 55 percent. "There's some claim that it's the cheapest way humans have ever been able to make electricity at scale," said Gregory Nemet, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a lead author on that report. Experts hope the high fossil fuel prices and fears over energy security caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine will … [Read more...] about Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power

The Hanoi-Vientiane cooperation has constantly been improved in all spheres via a growing number of development projects between the two. Hanoi has been giving priority to fostering solidarity and friendship with Laos’ provinces/cities, especially Vientiane, and aims to take bilateral relations to a new height. Overview of the meeting. Photos: Pham Hung “Hanoi considers its partnership with Vientiane a major part in the foreign affairs policy.” Former Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi gave the remarks during a meeting with Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee Anouphap Tounalom on August 11. Tounalom is leading Vientiane’s high-ranking delegation in a visit to Hanoi from August 9 – 14. According to Nghi, based on the close ties between Vietnam and Laos, the Hanoi-Vientiane cooperation has constantly been improved in all spheres via a growing number of development projects between the two. Nghi applauded the efforts from both … [Read more...] about Hanoi commits to taking relations with Vientiane to new height

Vietnam says that its trade relations with the US have coincided with the World Trade Organization's regulations. Vietnam stands ready to discuss with the US to address issues emerging in trade, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said today. Vietnam has always worked with the US through existing mechanisms, including Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs), to boost trade and investment for the sake of businesses and people of both sides, Hang shared the view at the press conference on August 11. Warehouse storage of steel products in Vietnam. Photo: VNA On August 8, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) issued an official notice on the initiation of an investigation into trade remedy evasion with respect to a number of steel pipe products imported from Vietnam. According to ASL law firm , Large US steel pipe producers asked the US to launch an investigation after learning that Vietnam was importing Hot Rolled Steel … [Read more...] about Vietnam willing to work with US on emerging issues: Spokeswoman

Vietnamese authorities have realized that the birthplace-omitted passports have troubled other countries’ immigration work. Vietnam’s Ministries of Public Security (MPS) and Foreign Affairs (MoFA) have been working on redesigned passports with some European countries due to the omission of birthplace in the paper. Vietnam's redesigned passport. Photo: Hoang Lam/Zing MoFA Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang informed at the press conference on August 11 following questions on the visa application rejected by Germany, Spain, and the Czech Republic over the place of birth information. “The Consular Department of MoFA and the Immigration Department of MPS on August 8 worked with the embassies of Germany, Spain, and the Czech Republic in Hanoi to discuss the temporary suspension of visa issuance by these countries to holders of the redesigned passport as the document does not explicitly display information about the place of birth,” Hang said in a statement. At the … [Read more...] about Vietnam works with some European countries for new passports

In a meeting on August 9 with Robert McCooey, Senior Vice President of Nasdaq's Listing Services unit, who leads business development for new listings in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, the Vietnamese diplomat said Vietnam wants to attract big firms from the U.S. to invest in the above-mentioned areas, especially those that can contribute to implementing Vietnam's commitments at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). The Delegation of Vietnam to the U.N. is ready to cooperate with Nasdaq in the organization of meetings and seminars to this purpose, especially on the occasion of working visits of Vietnam’s high-ranking delegations to New York, he affirmed. McCooey said that Vietnam's investment environment has a clear competitive advantage in the region thanks to its flexible response policy to the COVID-19 pandemic, and stable legal system. He welcomed the suggestion of the delegation, saying Nasdaq is willing to work with the delegation to introduce … [Read more...] about Vietnam looks to draw reputable U.S. investors: Ambassador

Binh Phu township in Cai Lay district, the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, was formed from Binh Phu commune, with a total area of 19.07 sq.km and a population of more than 18,500. Meanwhile, Chon Thanh town in the southern province of Binh Phuoc was established from Chon Thanh district, covering 390.34 sq.km and with a population of 121,083. In his remarks, N.A. Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue highlighted rapid urbanization and great development potential of Chon Thanh, saying the locality should be upgraded to grow further. N.A. Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh urged Tien Giang and Binh Phuoc to pay more heed to the communications work to reach public consensus on local development trend and adjust administrative procedures following the adoption of the resolutions. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about N.A. Standing Committee adopts resolutions on establishment of administrative units

Great opportunities Vietnam has climbed up the value chain over the years, becoming a key electronics manufacturing hub, attracting stable foreign direct investment with its sound macro fundamentals, preferential tax incentives and an abundance of relatively cheap and productive labor. Electronics, a major driving force of Vietnam’s export growth Vietnamese enterprises are increasingly integrating into the global production chain, as confirmed by international organizations, including the World Bank and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in their reports. For decades an apparel and footwear exporter with a low value added, Vietnam has gradually become an important production center in the technology industry, according to HSBC. Ngo Dang Khoa, HSBC Vietnam’s Country Head of Markets and Securities, said Vietnam has become a production center of electronics and cell phone components, helping it lure an increasing number of foreign … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s star rises in global supply chains