Institutions have become a major impediment to the nation’s aspiration to reach high income by 2045. Vietnam needs to shift its economic growth model and improve the government’s capacity to implement economic policy reforms and public investments, realizing its aspiration of reaching high-income status by 2045, a World Bank Group report says. Overview of the report launch. The World Bank Group’s Systematic Country Diagnostic Update, themed "How Will Vietnam Blossom? Reforming Institutions for Effective Implementation,” emphasizes that Vietnam's traditional growth model faces major challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, slowing globalization, and the country’s increasing vulnerability to external shocks, especially climate risks. After identifying a series of policy responses and reform priorities, many of which are not new, the report argues that adapting institutions will be the key to success. “Vietnam’s GDP per capita has increased fivefold over the … [Read more...] about Effective policy implementation crucial for Vietnam to reach high-income status by 2045: WB
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Defense leader meets with U.S. and U.N. officials
The Vietnamese general led a high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation to accompany Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who was on his working trip to the U.S. to attend the ASEAN - U.S. Special Summit. On May 16, at the U.N. Headquarters, Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Hoai Nam worked with General Birame Diop, military adviser and assistant secretary-general. At the meeting, the Vietnamese general thanked the U.N. for choosing and supporting Vietnam in deploying the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 4 and the Engineering Company Rotation 1 to the U.N. peacekeeping missions in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Abyei (UNISFA). He hoped that the U.N. will continue backing Vietnam to deploy its military medical and engineering forces to suitable U.N. peacekeeping missions as well as to run for high positions at U.N. missions and headquarters. Gen. Nam suggested the U.N. expands cooperation in other fields with priority given to war legacy settlement, and humanitarian assistance and disaster consequence … [Read more...] about Defense leader meets with U.S. and U.N. officials
Vietnam attends int’l workshop on Algeria’s revolution
Jointly organized by the Ministry of War Veterans and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Committee of Algerians abroad, the event gathered hundreds of delegates from the Algerian government, historical witnesses of the Algerian revolution of various nationalities, and foreign researchers. Vietnam was one of the first countries to recognize the provisional government of Algeria (September 26, 1958), four years before the North African country actually gained independence. Participants discussed topics related to human values, the charters of the Algerian revolution and its role in strengthening relations with countries around the world. On the sidelines of the event, exhibitions are being arranged to introduce historical books and photos on friends of the Algerian revolution. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends int’l workshop on Algeria’s revolution
Myanmar’s women football team awarded 100,000 USD
At the Myanmar-Singapore match in women's football of SEA Games 31 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar’s Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs U Min Thein Zan recently awarded 100,000 USD to female football ers of the country for qualifying for the semi-finals at the ongoing SEA Games 31 in Vietnam. He praised the brilliant performance of the team, affirming that the Myanmar State and people will look forward to honouring the nation pride through sports and success. On May 15, Myanmar beat Singapore 1-0 in the last match of Group B with the sole goal by Win Theingi Tun in the fourth minute of the second-half injury time. They earlier trounced Laos 3-0 on May 10. In the semi-finals, Myanmar will play the hosts Vietnam who topped Group A, while Thailand will face the Philippines. Both fixtures will take place at Cam Pha Stadium of Quang Ninh on May 18. SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, is being held in the Hanoi capital and 11 … [Read more...] about Myanmar’s women football team awarded 100,000 USD
Strict visa policies hinder international guests from visiting Vietnam
Because of strict visa policies, promotions to attract international tourists have not been as effective as expected, according to many businesses. Enterprises have made huge investments to welcome back tourists, but such illogical visa policies may slow down the tourism recovery pace. Being confused and facing difficulties Many travel companies in Da Nang City told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that visa policies for foreign tourists were still their biggest concern. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam offered the visa waiver policy for citizens of many countries and the normal visa approval period was three to five days (visas which were valid for 30 days). However, the list of countries whose citizens are entitled to Vietnam’s visa waiver policy has been shortened and the visa processing period has been lengthened, putting enterprises at a disadvantage. Cao Tri Dung, chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of … [Read more...] about Strict visa policies hinder international guests from visiting Vietnam
Japan nuclear regulator grants initial nod to Fukushima water release plan
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) granted an initial approval on Wednesday for a Tokyo Electric Power's (Tepco) plan for releasing water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant into sea, citing there are no safety issues. The NRA plans to make a decision on final approval after a one-month public comment period, an official at NRA said, who deals with the issue. In 2021, the Japanese government approved the release of over 1 million tonnes of irradiated water from the site after treatment into the ocean, starting around spring 2023. The announcement provoked concerns from local fishermen and objections from neighbouring China and South Korea. Tepco plans to filter the contaminated water to remove isotopes, leaving only tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen hard to separate from water. Tepco will then dilute the water until tritium levels fall less than 1/40th of regulatory limits, before pumping it into the ocean. Even after the NRA's approval, Tepco, … [Read more...] about Japan nuclear regulator grants initial nod to Fukushima water release plan