Q&A

1. Nikkei: Will the Viet Nam’s National Assembly ratify the EVFTA and EVIPA in the current 9th Session of the 14 th National Assembly?

After a process of active negotiation and close and effective coordination between Viet Nam and the European Union – through various discussion and dialogue mechanisms between the EU and Vietnamese Ministries, departments and agencies – on 12 February 2020, the European Parliament ratified the EU - Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU - Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Most recently, on 30 March, the European Council approved the ratification and completed the legislative procedures within the EU for the ratification of the EVFTA. The EVIPA still requires the ratification process at the respective parliaments of the EU member states.

These agreements are a critical advancement, strategically and economically alike, of the relations between Viet Nam and the EU. It will bring about enormous, concrete and tangible benefits to the economy, businesses and peoples of both Viet Nam and the EU, and create a new engine for the Viet Nam – EU Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership.

It is expected that the legislative agenda of the 9 th Session of the 14th National Assembly shall include the review and ratification of the EVFTA and EVIPA.

2. VnExpress: Tenma bribing Vietnamese officials is making the news on Japanese media. How are Viet Nam and Japan engaging with each other on this issue?

Immediately following the notice from Japan, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Japan made a report to Vietnamese authorities at home. Presently Vietnamese authorities are verifying and processing this as per Vietnamese law.

We always accommodate foreign enterprises investing and doing business in Viet Nam. All businesses must abide by Vietnamese law and regulations. All violations shall be accordingly handled.

3. Xinhua: What is Viet Nam’s view on the decision of the National People's Congress of China on the legal regime and enforcement mechanism of the Hong Kong SAR on national security protection?

Viet Nam pays close attention to the situation in Hong Kong. Viet Nam's position on the situation in Hong Kong has been clearly stated. Viet Nam respect and support China’s “one country, two systems” policy. Issues related to Hong Kong are the internal affairs of China. We always hope that Hong Kong would enjoy stability and grow in prosperity.

4. Zing: Has there been an official schedule and timetable for the 36th ASEAN summit in Da Nang at the end of June yet? The leaders of which countries have accepted the invitation to the summit?

On 19 March 2020, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent an invitation to the leaders of ASEAN countries, requesting that the date of the 36 th ASEAN Summit be moved to the end of June 2020 due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and the world.

As the ASEAN Chairman for 2020, Viet Nam is making every effort to organize the 36 th ASEAN Summit, slated for late June 2020. We are consulting with other ASEAN members to ensure that the Summit shall be successful.

5. Zing: Which countries and territories are there that Viet Nam has resumed international flights and reopend borders with? When is the expected time of this?

To perform the direction of the Prime Minister’s direction, relevant ministries and agencies are looking into the timing and principle for gradual easing of entry and exit policy, resumption of particular flights and restoration of commerce, visiting of relatives, tourism, trade and investment, in line with the actual development of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and the world. Their report and recommendations shall be submitted to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Combat and the Prime Minister for consideration and deliberation.

6. Zing: Would you mind commenting on Thailand's consideration of rejoining CPTPP and that it might be coming to a decision within a month?

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a high-quality free trade agreement. It contains well-rounded commitments for the promotion of economic and trade cooperation among its members, and open and rules-based trade liberalization in the region.

Economies aspiring to accede to CPTPP shall have their proposals deliberated upon and discussed by the members during its implementation.

7. Phoenix Tv: On July 1, Viet Nam will resume issuing e-visa for citizens from 80 countries, including Chinese citizens. So from July 1 can a Chinese citizen bearing ordinary passport apply for visa to Viet Nam?

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreign Nationals in Viet Nam, issued by the National Assembly on November 25, 2019, the Government has recently issued the Resolution on the List of countries whose citizens are eligible for electronic visas and the List of international border checkpoints through which foreign nationals may enter and exit Viet Nam using e-visa. The Resolution enters effect on 1 July, 2020.

This Resolution is issued to exercise Viet Nam’s guidelines and policies in administrative reforms, especially immigration administration, to facilitate investment, foster economic, social and tourism development, and accommodate foreign relations, and national defense and security.

8. Tuoi Tre: Recently China announced that vegetables are being grown on the entities China is illegally occupying in the East Sea, Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and Woody Island in the Paracel Archipelago, using new technologies. Chinese experts are claiming that this harvest may provide a counter-evidence against allegations of China's violations and the claim that Paracel does not constitute an island. What is Viet Nam's reaction on this matter?

Viet Nam has sufficient historical and legal evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos pursuant to international law. All activities in these archipelagos without Viet Nam’s permission constitute violations of Vietnamese sovereignty and international law alike.

9. Tien Phong: Is the US about to handover large patrol boats to Viet Nam?

The Viet Nam – US Comprehensive Partnership has maintained good growth trajectory across the board, including in security and defense cooperation. Grounded in the agreements reached between the two parties, including the 2011 MOU on defense cooperation, the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on defense cooperation and the plan of action for defense cooperation for 2018-2020, the two sides are continually stepping up bilateral defense collaboration, including maritime security cooperation and maritime law enforcement capacity building. This will contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

10. AFP: Recently, there is a wave of shifting foreign investment to another market and Viet Nam is considered as a potential one. What are Viet Nam’s measures to attract investment after the pandemic, while we are back to normal life but still closes the borders with other countries?

While the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen complicated developments in many countries in the region and the world, Viet Nam has fundamentally repelled the pandemic via vigorously implementing effective prevention and combating measures. This is a vital basis to boost the confidence of the business community, and investors within and beyond of Viet Nam.

In addition to effectively combating the pandemic, the Vietnamese Government’s consistent policy line is to strengthen socio-economic development to fortify the economy’s base and improve its resilience and adaptivity. Accordingly, Viet Nam has been implementing a holistic mix of multiple policies and measures for economic recovery during and after the pandemic: (i) to sustain the supply chains and trade in goods and services both domestic and between Viet Nam and other countries, (ii) to continue improving the business and investment environment, cutting down on red tape and costs for businesses, and developing infrastructures and logistics, (iii) to actively implement free trade agreements with partners, (iv) to assist businesses and investors in overcoming adversities caused by Covid-19 and continuing their investment projects in Viet Nam - including by accommodating entry into Viet Nam for experts and skilled workers without compromising the efforts to combat the pandemic./.