Vietnam News Today (May 29): Vietnam Untying Knots to Boost Tourism Recovery

Health workers administer COVID-19 vaccine shot for a senior citizen. Photo: VNA

Covid-19: Additional 1,114 cases recorded on May 28

Vietnam reported 1,114 new Covid-19 infections, and no deaths on May 28, according to the Ministry of Health.

Hanoi continued to report the highest daily infections with 285, followed Vinh Phuc with 70, and Yen Bai with 68.

The national tally is now 10,716,361.

A total 8,463 Covid-19 patients were given the all-clear on the day, bringing the number of recoveries to 9,439,913.

There are 189 patients in a serious condition, with six on life support, cited VNA.

A total of 220,635,110 doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered so far, with 199.05 million doses in the adult population, 17.45 million for those aged 12-17 years, and 4.12 million for children aged 5-11.

Vietnam, Algeria agree on measures to foster cooperation

Vietnam and Algeria have agreed on measures to improve the efficiency of cooperation between the two countries, making it match their political ties and massive potential.

The agreement was reached at the third political consultation in Hanoi on May 27 co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu and Secretary General of Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad Chakib Rachid Kaid.

They rejoiced at developments of the multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Algeria over the past time, saying despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries have maintained meetings via Party and State channels, and gradually restored economic ties.

The two sides concurred to step up all-level delegation exchanges, and pay heed to expanding collaboration in economy, trade and investment, and boost cooperation in culture and sports as well as partnerships between localities.

Chakib Rachid Kaid commended Vietnam’s role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and congratulated the country on its successful non-permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021.

The officials shared the view that Vietnam and Algeria should continue their close cooperation and mutual support at international organizations, thus contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world at large, and for common interests of developing nations.

Vietnamese and Algerian officials at the third political consultation in Hanoi on May 27. Photo: VNA

They witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Algerian academy of diplomacy and international relations, according to VOV.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Chakib Rachid Kaid, during which the host affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach importance to the traditional, faithful relations between the two countries, and expressed his hope to deepen the relationship.

Son thanked the Algerian government for facilitating Vietnam’s oil and gas projects and supporting the Vietnamese community in the African nation.

The minister also suggested the two ministries further coordinate to boost the bilateral cooperation, especially in politics, diplomacy and economy, with priority given to trade, oil and gas, labour and agriculture.

He called for joint efforts to accelerate the organization of the 12th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria inter-governmental committee in the fourth quarter of this year, and organize activities marking the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

While in Vietnam, Chakib Rachid Kaid paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, and paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, president of the Vietnamese sub-committee of the inter-governmental committee.

Vietnam untying knots to boost tourism recovery

Vietnam dropped Covid-19 test requirements for visitors entering the country from May 15, a move expected to boost the recovery of the country’s tourism industry.

Chairman of Vietravel Holdings Nguyen Quoc Ky said since then, regular flights and holiday packages as well as charter flights have been booked with an occupancy rate of more than 90 percent, VNA reported.

Amidst such high demand, the ‘unshackling’ move prior to the peak season will create the momentum for the tourism sector, given the period accounts for 70 percent of firms’ annual revenue, he added.

Foreigners stroll the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: VNA

Dr Luong Hoai Nam, a member of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, spoke highly of the decision as he explained that testing for Covid-19 abroad is time consuming, while some countries have already scrapped the requirement.

The move will also make it easier for overseas Vietnamese and foreign tourists to travel to Vietnam.

Tourism companies and resorts nationwide has rolled out promotions for this summer. Vietnam is advised to promote marketing and communication work on tourism as about 80 percent of foreign visitors traveling to the country with the help of foreign travel agencies.

However, technical restrictions in visa issuance remain for foreign tourists who wish to travel to Vietnam.

Bottlenecks in the visa policy were reported to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in early May.

Nam suggested the country exempt visas for citizens of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India and Canada, adding that due attention should be paid to measures aimed to extend tourists’ length of stay and their spending while in Vietnam.

Vietnam-Laos cooperation in education a symbol of special relations

Cooperation in education is one of the symbols of the special relations between Vietnam and Laos, said Lao Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong.

The parties and governments of Laos and Vietnam always consider education a sector of strategic cooperation, the minister said at a talk at Laos National University in Vientiane capital on May 27 on the occasion of Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

Lao Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong (right) and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung. Photo: VNA

During the struggle for national liberation, Vietnam not only helped Laos to develop education in the liberated areas of Laos, but also established schools in Vietnam to receive Lao students, he added.

Over the past six decades, Vietnam has helped Laos train tens of thousands of officials in all fields from politics, administration, security and defense to research, the minister said, adding that many of them became key officials in different periods of national safeguarding and construction.

In return, the Lao government is assisting Vietnam in training a total of 4,850 officials and students in the 1982-2022 period.

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung and former Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos Boxengkham Vongdara reviewed the history and important milestones in the two countries’ relations, affirming the special role of education in preserving, fostering and developing bilateral ties, cited NDO.

They stressed the need to further improve training quality and effectiveness of cooperation in education and human resources between the two countries.

The Lao education sector will organize a series of activities such as gatherings, exhibitions, book publishing and documentary film making on the special relations between the two countries and in education in particular to mark the Vietnam – Laos and Laos – Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, according to Minister Phout Simmalavong.

Vietnam glass-bottomed bridge wins Guinness world record

The Guinness World Records has just confirmed the Bach Long pedestrian bridge in northern Vietnam is the longest glass-bottomed bridge in the world.

A representative of the Guinness World Records handed over the certificate to a representative of the Son La provincial administration on May 28.

The Bach Long pedestrian bridge in Son La becomes the world's longest glass-bottomed bridge. Photo: VOV

The Bach Long (White Dragon) pedestrian bridge, situated in the northern province of Son La, spans two peaks and is suspended 150 metres above the rainforest.

The bridge that features a 630-metre walkway conveying visitors across the Moc Chau Island Mountain Park and Resort breaks the current world record held in China by more than 100 metres, VOV reported.

The floor of the bridge is made from French-produced tempered glass Saint Gobain and the structure can hold 450 people at a time.

The project got off the ground in early 2021 at an initial cost of VND773 billion.

The bridge opened to visitors in late April 2022 and it is hoped the landmark will encourage more people to visit.

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