The 14th National Assembly will debate this week some draft laws, including the law amending and supplementing some articles of the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, as part of the ongoing eighth session.
Hanoi (VNA) – The 14th National Assembly will debate this week somedraft laws, including the law amending and supplementing some articles of thelaw on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, as part ofthe ongoing eighth session.
Vietnam’s tourism has developed strongly over the recent past and brought abouthigh economic values.
However, experts in the tourism sector said there still remain bottlenecks, oneof which being policies on the entry and exit of foreigners, which need to besettled in order to improve the sector’s competitiveness, thus attracting moreinternational visitors.
Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the Secretariat of the Vietnam Tourism AdvisoryBoard, said the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners inVietnam should be more open.
He cited as an example the stipulation that requires a gap of at least 30 daysbetween two visa-free visits.
Chinh further said that many international visitors, especially those fromWestern Europe, Northern Europe and Russia, want to stay in Vietnam longer thanthe maximum visa-free 15 days.
He also emphasized the need for a national website that publishes officialinformation about visa policies, citing a survey by the Vietnam TourismAdvisory which showed that most websites of Vietnamese embassies abroad fail toupdate latest information on the country’s visa policies.
Such a website should be prescribed clearly in the law on entry, exit, transitand residence of foreigners in Vietnam, he said.
Chinh also pointed to problems in visa granting at Vietnam’s border gates,which still requires visitors to apply for visas at embassies and receive visasat the border gates. He said this has reduced the tourism sector’scompetitiveness.
Experts in the tourism sector are concerned about the fact that the visaexemption policy for tourists from major markets like Russia, Japan and theRepublic of Korea (RoK) will end on December 31, 2019. They said the number ofvisitors from those markets would drop 30-50 percent if the policy is notextended.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, deputy head of the Vietnam National Administration ofTourism, proposed expanding the list of countries and border gates eligible fore-visas.
Besides, Vietnam needs to reform visa grant procedures at border gates andreview its unilateral visa waiver policy, she said./.
The ancient city of Hoi An is being challenged by mass tourism, traffic congestion, underdeveloped waste management, vendors, street food quality and poor design and operation of homestays that have badly impacted the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
