"The decision takes effect on the date of signing," Hang confirmed at a Thursday's press conference in response to a question by VnExpress International.

People arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi in January, 2020.

She said that Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has agreed in principle to simplify administrative procedures for foreigners entering Vietnam.

Accordingly, foreign arrivals with valid papers, including visa, visa exemption, residency card and temporary residence card will be allowed to enter Vietnam without having to obtain prior permission from the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local authorities.

Previously, anyone wanting to enter Vietnam had to prepare a list of documents including approvals from the People’s Committee and the Department of Immigration, proof of vaccination, PCR test results and a health insurance certificate for quarantine.On January 1, Vietnam partially reopened regular commercial flights on nine international routes covering China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, and the U.S.

Hang said that people who do not have all the above mentioned documents have to obtain approval from provinces and related ministries under the Law on Foreigners' Entry Into, Exit From, Transit Through, and Residence in Vietnam.

The regulation also applies to overseas Vietnamese and their relatives, she added.

Hang said Vietnam currently accepts vaccine passports from 79 countries and territories.

The 10 countries that accept Vietnam vaccine passports are: Australia, Belarus, Cambodia, India, Japan, Maldives, Palestine, the Philippines, the U.K. and the U.S.

Bac Giang ranks nine nationwide in term of foreign investment attraction

(BGO) - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and leaders of the Party, Government and Fatherland Front Committee attended a teleconference between the Government and localities on January 5 to review 2021 performance and implement the Party Central Committee’s Conclusion and the National Assembly’s Resolution on 2022 socio-economic development scheme. The event was chaired by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh reopen to foreign visitors

Ho Chi Minh City and the central province of Binh Dinh have received approval from the Government to reopen to foreign visitors this month, the sixth and seven localities to do so.

Foreign investors maintain optimistic outlook for Vietnam’s growth

Foreign investors maintain an optimistic outlook for Vietnam’s economic growth next year though the country suffered a challenging 2021 as it was hit hard by the pandemic, according to an article posted on the website Vietnam Briefing of Dezan Shira & Associates.

Hanoi allows foreign arrivals to self-isolate

Those that have been fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 will only need to self-isolate for three days when arriving in Hanoi from abroad.

Vietnam attracts 31 billion USD in foreign direct investment for 2021

Pledges of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Vietnam in 2021 were estimated at 31.15 billion USD, up 9.2% from the previous year, despite the impacts of Covid-19, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).

Source: VnExpress