NA Q&A session: deputies scrutinize national tourism competitiveness
Competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism industry and solutions to make it a key economic sector of the country was the main focus of the question-and-answer (Q&A) session with the minister of culture, sports and tourism on June 5 during the 14 National Assembly’s ongoing 7th session.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien speaks at the session (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism industry and solutions tomake it a key economic sector of the country was the main focus of the question-and-answer (Q&A) session withthe minister of culture, sports and tourism on June 5 during the 14 NationalAssembly’s ongoing 7th session.
NA deputy Nguyen Quoc Hung from Hanoi asked Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien to take breakthroughsolutions to improve the competitive rankings of Vietnam’s tourism, which isnow only 67 among the 136 economies worldwide.
On his reply, Minister Thien attributed this to limitedindicators of tourism infrastructure, priority for tourism, internationalintegration and visa competitiveness of Vietnam compared to other ASEANcountries.
Explaining the slow tourism growth of only 8.8 percent in the first five monthsof 2019, Thien said one of the main causes is that the number of Chinesevisitors to Vietnam decreased in the period, while the figure increased byabout 30 percent in the same period of the previous years.
He stressed the need to enhance tourism promotionin key markets.
Deputy Nguyen Van Quyen from Can Tho asked aboutradical and breakthrough measures to turn tourism into one of the spearhead economicsectors of Vietnam, in the context that the sector makes up only nearly 10percent of the national GDP; and those to resolve conflicts between the goal of developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector and theneed to preserve national identities.
Thien said Vietnam strives to make tourism a key economic sector and thecountry aims to receive between 17 and20 million international visitors and serve 85 million domestic tourists by2020, making up about 10 percent of the national GDP.
The minister underlined the necessity to promote sustainabletourism development without harming the ecological environment or culturalheritage, and affirmed that this is a major problem in the relationship betweenconservation and development for all countries in the world.
He pointed out a number of shortcomings in this work over the past time, suchas neglecting conservation planning and heritage preservation as well asexperts’ voice.-VNA
The National Assembly has chosen the topic for its supreme supervision in 2020 to be the implementation of the laws and policies on the prevention of and fight against the abuse of children through a voting on June 3.
Up to 383 National Assembly (NA) deputies (or 79.13 percent) agreed that the NA will supervise the implementation of policies and laws on the prevention and fight against child abuse in 2020.
Lawmakers voiced their concerns about the high real estate prices which is about 25 times of average income, and the uncontrolled rising property prices in some localities during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly on June 4.
The question-and-answer session of the 14th National Assembly’s seventh sitting began on June 4 and was broadcast live on Vietnam Television, Radio the Voice of Vietnam and the NA’s television channel.
Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha on June 5 continued taking the podium to answer questions raised by legislators, including those related to the construction of too many high-rise buildings in big cities, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew in Hanoi on August 7, affirming education as a standout pillar in the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien speaks at the session (Source: VNA) 
