Regarding information that the Russian Foreign Ministry is drafting an agreement on simplifying visa procedures with 6 countries, including Vietnam, Ms. Hang said that Vietnam welcomes Russia's consideration of simplifying visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens and supporting measures to facilitate trade and travel for Vietnamese citizens and other countries, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, and promoting Vietnam's friendship with other countries.
Deputy Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang on March 9 also highlighted Vietnam’s hope for continued close cooperation with China to boost tourism recovery and development in the two countries.
She made the remark at the ministry’s regular press conference in response to the media’s question about China’s inclusion of Vietnam in the list of countries to which group tours will resume on a trial basis.
Hang said tourism cooperation is one of crucial cooperation fields between the two countries and also an important aspect of people-to-people exchange. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the biggest source of tourists to Vietnam, which was in turn also a leading partner of China in this regard.
Vietnam has maintained close contact with China about promoting tourism cooperation, including the resumption of group tours, she noted, citing the latest information that the Chinese Government plans to include Vietnam in the list of countries to which it will reopen group tours on a trial basis from March 15.
Vietnam hopes that the two sides will continue cooperating closely to promote the recovery and healthy development of tourism in both countries, thus meeting their interests and tourism demand, she went on.
“We always support the opening of international air routes to and from localities in the region, thereby helping increase people-to-people exchange and foster mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade, tourism and other fields between Vietnam and partners, including China,” the Deputy Spokeswoman emphasised.
