I. ANNOUCEMENTS

1. Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans paying a visit to Viet Nam

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Frans Timmermans will pay a visit to Viet Nam from 17 to 19 February 2022.

The visit takes place at a time when the two sides are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Viet Nam - European Union (EU) Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation, with the Viet Nam - EU ties having flourished in numerous important areas. During the visit, both sides will exchange views on bilateral relations, and directions for cooperation in the time to come. Both sides will also discuss means to collaborate in implementing the commitments outlined at the COP-26 Summit.

Tentatively, during the visit to Viet Nam, Executive Vice President of the EC Frans Timmermans will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, and partake in a number of other important events.

II. Q&A

1. Dan Tri: Pertaining to the prosecution of the leaders of the Consular Department, what is the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter? There are opinions that the full authorization for the Consular Department and overseas Vietnamese representative missions to handle the “rescue” of Vietnamese nationals abroad over the past two years led to the abuse of power and greatly hindered the repatriation of Vietnamese nationals. What will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs take responsibility in this matter, and in the handling of other outstanding issues in the time to come?

At the outset, I reiterate that the repatriation of Vietnamese nationals overseas who wish to return home or are facing extreme hardships amid the pandemic is a righteous and altruistic guideline of the Party and State of Viet Nam. This is also a significant and unprecedented mission assigned by the Prime Minister to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, relevant Ministries, agencies and localities, and overseas Vietnamese representative missions.

Given the focus on combating an unprecedented pandemic and limited domestic healthcare capacity, Viet Nam remains one of the very few countries around the world to constantly organize repatriation flights, earning the praise of the people at home, Vietnamese nationals abroad, and the international community. You can probably still recall the first flight to repatriate Vietnamese nationals from Wuhan, China in early February 2020. Since then, Vietnamese competent authorities, localities, and overseas Vietnamese representative missions have made every effort to overcome the challenges caused by COVID-19, and worked with airlines to arrange more than 1,000 flights, safely repatriating over 240,000 Vietnamese nationals from 60 countries and territories.
The incident you mentioned is due to the violations of a number of individuals who abused their power for their own gains, and this cannot undo the aforementioned endeavors and successes.

The consistent position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter is to take measures where violations call for it in line with the law. No one is sheltered. No one is untouchable. And there is no exception. The Ministry is working closely with competent authorities to look into the incident, and has suspended the relevant officials for the investigation. In addition, the Ministry has instructed agencies at home and Vietnamese representative missions abroad to promptly review and update work-related procedures in ways that ensure stringency, effectiveness and transparency. These agencies were also instructed to uphold administrative discipline and ethics required of civil servants, conduct strict and regular inspection and oversight, particularly pertaining to the handling of administrative and consular procedures and citizen protection work, timely identify and resolutely prevent, at an early stage and from afar, the degradation of political resolve, morality, lifestyle, “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”, and eradicate negative behaviors and attempts to abuse power for personal gains. Such measures serve to maintain the excellent identity and tradition of the diplomatic service, and better fulfill assigned missions.

2. Dan Tri: Since 15 February, Viet Nam has eased the restriction on flights carrying international tourists into Viet Nam, and returned to a pre-COVID-19 state. However, similar measures have not been applied for entry regulations and medical requirements. Thus, in recent days, the number of tourists arriving in Viet Nam has not increased in comparison with that prior to 15 February, and the resumption of flights does not bear much significance. Please elaborate on upcoming entry requirements for international tourists arriving in Viet Nam.

Today is 17 February, only two days since the lifting of restriction on flights, so it is early to make any assessment on the number of entries into Viet Nam.

I also wish to provide some additional information:

In terms of regulations, at present, foreigners and Vietnamese nationals permanently residing abroad and their family members with valid entry documents (such as permanent resident cards, temporary resident cards, visas, or visa exemptions documents) can enter Viet Nam in line with the provisions of the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Viet Nam. Regarding foreigners entering Viet Nam for tourism purposes, they would need to follow the regulations of the pilot program to welcome international tourists to Viet Nam of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In addition, according to the guideline of the Ministry of Health on pandemic control for entrants dated 16 December 2021, entrants (except for children under 2 years old) need to have a COVID-19 negative test result and make a medical declaration prior to entry. Entrants who have been fully vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 during six months prior to their date of entry need to self-monitor their health at their place of residence (such as houses, hotels, headquarters of representative missions, dormitories, and accommodations of production or business areas) for 3 days since their entry into Viet Nam. Other cases need to undergo medical isolation for 7 days at their place of residence.

3. Dan Tri: Pertaining to the suspect behind the threat to shoot down a Vietnam Airlines aircraft that was recently apprehended by Japanese competent authorities, can you elaborate on whether Viet Nam has received any update, and on how Viet Nam will continue to work with Japan on this issue?

According to an update this morning, Vietnamese competent authorities have been working closely with relevant Japanese agencies during the investigation. We will provide further information upon receiving an official statement from Japanese investigation agencies.

4. Reuters: Please provide an update on the health of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and the outcome of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMMR).

At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son attended the AMMR in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 16 to 17 February 2022 via videoconference.

During his attendance at the Retreat, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son strictly adhered to Cambodia’s regulations pertaining to healthcare and pandemic prevention. He delivered his remarks and engaged in discussions on the items of the Retreat’s agenda, joining fellow Foreign Ministers in contributing to the overall success of the AMMR. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son is now in stable health conditions. After the conclusion of the Retreat, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son will return to Viet Nam and undergo medical isolation in line with relevant regulations.

The AMMR focused on the priorities and directions for ASEAN cooperation in 2022. At the Retreat, ASEAN Foreign Ministers highly appreciated ASEAN’s theme for 2022, and supported the initiatives and priorities outlined by the ASEAN Chair. They pledged to work closely with the ASEAN Chair in implementing these initiatives. In addition, they discussed measures to step up the ASEAN Community building process, expedite the implementation of remaining action plans under the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, keep up the fight against the pandemic, and foster economic recovery and development. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest, including the South China Sea and Myanmar.

Concrete details on the outcome of the Retreat will be provided in writing to news agencies.

5. Vietnamnet: What is Viet Nam’s response to the statement by the US Department of Commerce that Vietnamese honey products will be subjected to an anti-dumping tax rate of 400%?

Representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade have provided their view on this matter.

Our position is that Viet Nam hopes to further strengthen the Viet Nam - US Comprehensive Partnership, in which economic and trade ties need to aim at harmonious, balanced and sustainable interests. Viet Nam stands ready to engage in discussion with the US, and has regularly exchanged views with the US via existing arrangements, such as the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), to better enhance bilateral economic, trade and investment ties and timely address emerging issues. Such endeavors serve to bolster the Viet Nam - US Comprehensive Partnership, for the interest of the two peoples.

The US’ imposition of this anti-dumping tax rate on Vietnamese honey products will bring about detrimental impacts upon Viet Nam’s beekeeping industry, of which the US constitutes the primary import market. This will also adversely affect Viet Nam’s cultivation sectors, as artificially-kept bees would help the pollination of crops. As a result, this will directly affect the jobs and livelihoods of beekeeping and farming households, mostly in the South and Central Highland of Viet Nam.

To my knowledge, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are discussing with their US counterparts at different levels to address this issue. Viet Nam hopes that the measures taken by the US on this matter should be based on objectivity and fairness, in line with the regulations of the WTO, and avoid incurring unreasonable losses upon Vietnamese beekeepers and businesses. 

6. Zing News: On 11 February, Viet Nam was mentioned as one of the leading partners in the region that the US seeks to enhance relations with under the new Indo-Pacific strategy. Please provide your comment on this matter.

Viet Nam hopes that cooperation initiatives in the Indo-Pacific will contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, observe international law, respect the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, and ensure the ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

Viet Nam pays keen attention and looks forward to further strengthening its ties with the US and all other partners to step up efforts in containing the pandemic, fostering economic recovery, responding to climate change, and addressing other areas, thereby ensuring regional peace, stability and prosperity.

7. Zing News: The Japanese Minister of Justice has requested Japan’s immigration agency to investigate the accusation by a Vietnamese intern of aggressive behaviors against him by his colleagues for two years, even leading to broken bones. Please provide further information on this matter.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, upon receiving the information, the Embassy has worked with Japanese competent authorities to seek validation, and requested these agencies to promptly conduct necessary investigation. The Embassy has also met with the victim. He is now in stable physical and mental conditions.

According to the information from the Embassy, in the morning of 25 January, the Minister of Justice of Japan instructed the Immigration Services Agency to expeditiously conduct an investigation into this matter, and strictly punish relevant individuals. He also requested hiring companies to take necessary measures to better assist and protect interns. Japanese competent authorities have ceased the arrangement for interns to work at this company. The company involved also admitted to its violations, and pledged to compensate for the victim. Other Vietnamese interns at this company have also moved back to the accommodation of the association in charge, and will be moved to other places of employment.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan to continue to closely monitor the situation and stand ready to take necessary measures to protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese nationals.

8. Zing News: Please provide further information on citizen protection work, as tensions in Ukraine continue to escalate.

We always follow with keen attention the situation in Ukraine, and citizen protection work for Vietnamese nationals residing and working in this country. In this spirit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine to closely monitor the situation, work closely with local authorities, keep in touch with contact points of local Vietnamese communities and associations, and circulate information on the citizen protection hotline to provide timely assistance to overseas Vietnamese in need.

I was also informed that the Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine has directly visited areas of residence of local Vietnamese nationals to inquire upon their situation. To date, there has been no major turbulence among the Vietnamese community in Ukraine.

9. CNA: Viet Nam will resume international tourism activities from 15 March 2022. When will Viet Nam allow foreigners to apply for visa, and what are the requirements for this process?

As you may have been informed, on 16 February 2022, the Leaders of the Government of Viet Nam have tasked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promptly establish regulations on welcoming international tourists, finalize reopening measures, and work with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant Ministries and agencies to report to the Government and the Prime Minister on the visa policy for international tourists entering Viet Nam. Fundamentally, regulations pertaining to and groups eligible for the granting of visa will continue to adhere to the provisions of the Vietnamese law, such as the 2014 Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through and Resident in Viet Nam, amended and supplemented in 2019.

On the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the instruction of the Government, we will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to finalize reopening measures for the tourism sector, and draft visa policies for tourists entering Viet Nam.

10. VnExpress: Please elaborate on the number of countries which have recognized Viet Nam’s vaccine passport, and the number of countries whose vaccine passport has been recognized in Viet Nam.

As of 16 February 2022, there are 15 countries and territories that have officially recognized Viet Nam’s vaccine passport. These include Japan, the US, the UK, Australia, India, Belarus, Cambodia, the Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Turkey. A number of other partners have taken positive note of Viet Nam’s proposal. They are exchanging views on technical issues, and will soon provide their confirmation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative missions abroad are actively working with other countries to promote the official recognition of Viet Nam’s vaccine passport, so as to facilitate the travelling of the people.

At present, Viet Nam has recognized the vaccine certificates, or vaccine passports, of 79 countries and territories, which were officially introduced to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam by the Foreign Ministry or representative mission of these countries.

11. Sputnik: According to the information from the South China Morning Post on 16 February, Filipino boxer-turned-presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao stated that if he was elected, he would form a “peace panel” to negotiate with Beijing on the South China Sea dispute, while also deepening defense ties with the US. Please provide your comment on this matter.

Viet Nam’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and has been reiterated on multiple occasions.

Viet Nam hopes that all countries within and outside the region will actively contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the South China Sea, and settle disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means in line with international law, fulfilling the shared interest and meeting the aspiration of countries in the region, and of the international community.