I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. The Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia paid a visit to Viet Nam (from 02 to 04 March 2022)

Madam Katrina Cooper, Deputy Secretary in charge of Southeast Asia and Global Partners Group, Head of Australia’s ASEAN SOM, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, paid a visit to Viet Nam from 02 to 04 March 2022. This is her first visit abroad in her new capacity as Deputy Foreign Secretary. On this occasion, the two sides discussed measures to further bolster the Viet Nam - Australia Strategic Partnership, and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

2. The 31st SEA Games will be organized in Viet Nam from 12 to 23 May 2022

I also wish to inform you of anupcoming sporting event to behosted in Viet Nam. The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) will take place from 12 to 23 May 2022 in Viet Nam. This is the 2nd time that Viet Nam has the honor to serve as the host of the largest sporting event in Southeast Asia.

To encourage and facilitate the coverage of this event by foreign press agencies, the Organizing Committee and the Information and Communications Sub-Committee of the 31st SEA Games will soon make an official announcement and issue a guideline regarding press registration procedures. Such information will be published on the official website of the SEA Games at www.seagames2021.com.

Accordingly, reporters and press agencies from 11 countries participating in the 31st SEA Games can put in their official registration with their respective National Olympic Committee. Reporters from foreign press agencies or foreign correspondents in Viet Nam can register with the Department of Information and the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
II. Q&A

1. Vietnam News: A few days ago, the Office of the Government circulated a document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the resumption of visa policies for international tourists to enter Viet Nam, similar to such implementation prior to the pandemic. Please provide an update on the progress of this effort, particularly as there are only two weeks until the resumption of international tourism. How many countries and territories whose vaccine passport has been officially recognized by Viet Nam, and vice versa?

 At the outset, I wish to inform you that as of 02 March 2022, Viet Nam has reached an agreement on the mutual recognition of vaccine passports with 15 countries, including Japan, the US, the UK, Australia, India, Belarus, Cambodia, the Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, and Singapore.

At present, foreigners, Vietnamese nationals permanently residing abroad and their family members can enter Viet Nam if they have valid documents stipulated in the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Viet Nam. Foreigners entering Viet Nam for tourism purposes need to comply with the Guidance on the pilot program to receive international tourists of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Vietnamese nationals can freely return home on regular international commercial flights.

To foster socio-economic recovery and development, step up international integration in the new normal, and facilitate trade between Viet Nam and other countries and territories, at present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported to the Prime Minister on detailed measures regarding visa granting and visa exemption for consideration. These include:

(i) Implementing procedures pertaining to visa granting and visa exemption as stipulated in the 2014 Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Viet Nam, amended and supplemented in 2019, and other guidance documents on enforcing or lifting requirements on post-entry quarantine measures, and on lifting restrictions based on entry purposes.

(ii) Resuming bilateral visa exemption policies with other countries in line with international treaties and agreements, or on the basis of reciprocity, and lifting requirements on personnel and quarantine measures at localities.

(iii) And resuming unilateral visa exemption policies with 13 countries as stipulated in Article 13 of the Law on Entry and Exit, and in line with relevant Resolutions of the Government.

Upon approval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will circulate such information so that the people, businesses and foreigners can receive timely updates for effective implementation.

2. Dan tri: Please provide an update on the situation of Vietnamese nationals residing in Ukraine, and elaborate on citizen protection efforts. How are evacuation and establishment of flight routes conducted? How many people have evacuated to neighboring countries? When will the earliest evacuation flights be arranged? Will these flights be free of charge, or will passengers need to pay for such flights?

Viet Nam shares the position of ASEAN on this matter, as outlined in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the situation in Ukraine on 26 February 2022, and in the remarks by the Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN at the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on 01 March 2022.

Viet Nam’s consistent position is to uphold the need to observe international law and the UN Charter, and peacefully settle disputes in line with the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter. Most notably, it is necessary to respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries, exercise non-intervention in domestic affairs, and avoid the threat or use of force in international relations.

Viet Nam is deeply concerned with the armed conflicts in Ukraine. We call upon all parties to exercise restraint and immediately cease the use of force, so as to avoid causing casualties and losses among innocent civilians.

Viet Nam welcomes the ongoing dialogue between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. We call upon parties to de-escalate tensions, and promptly reach a long-term and peaceful solution for disputes in line with international law. Such measure also needs to account for the legitimate rights and interests of parties concerned, ensure the security, safety, and essential needs of the people, and protect critical infrastructures in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Viet Nam supports, and asks the international community, and countries within and outside the region to continue to facilitate the dialogue among parties concerned, and provide further aids and humanitarian assistance to the people. Viet Nam also proposes that all parties concerned ensure the security and safety of foreigners residing in Ukraine, including the local Vietnamese community, and facilitate their evacuation when necessary.

3. Tuoi tre: There is information that from 28 to 29 March, the US will convene the ASEAN - US Special Summit. Which items will Viet Nam discuss during this visit, and will there be a bilateral visit on this occasion?

 The President of the US has sent invitation letters to the Prime Minister of Viet Nam and the leaders of other ASEAN Member States to attend the ASEAN - US Special Summit in Washington DC, the US in the time to come. ASEAN countries have concurred with the US’ proposal to convene this Summit. At present, parties concerned are discussing issues pertaining to the Summit, including its timing.

Tentatively, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam will attend the Summit and partake in other bilateral activities in the US.

4. Sputnik: Please provide Viet Nam’s comment on the European Union (EU)’s decision to ban Russia Today and Sputnik in Europe.

I believe that countries need to facilitate the operation of the press in line with their domestic regulations.

5.Please provide Viet Nam’s comment on the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on the situation in Ukraine.

Pertaining to the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on the situation in Ukraine and the vote for the draft Resolution during this session, our position is that Viet Nam follows with keen attention and remains deeply concerned with the armed conflicts in Ukraine, and their impact of peace and stability in the region and the world. We believe that the priority at present is to exercise utmost restraint, and cease the use of force to avoid incurring losses and casualties upon innocent civilians. It is also necessary to resume dialogue and negotiation via all channels to reach a long-term solution for this matter, which takes into account the legitimate interest of all parties and is in line with the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. Viet Nam’s position is clearly outlined in the remarks on 25 February and during the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on 01 March.

6.VOV: Please provide Viet Nam’s comment on the current developments in Ukraine?

 Viet Nam shares the position of ASEAN on this matter, as outlined in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the situation in Ukraine on 26 February 2022, and in the remarks of the Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN during the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on 01 March 2022.

Viet Nam calls upon all parties to observe international law and the UN Charter, and peacefully settle disputes in line with the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter. Most notably, it is necessary to respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries, exercise non-intervention in domestic affairs, and avoid the threat or use of force in international relations.

Viet Nam is deeply concerned with the armed conflicts in Ukraine. We call upon all parties to exercise restraint, immediately cease the use of force to avoid incurring losses and casualties among innocent civilians.

Viet Nam welcomes the ongoing dialogue between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, and hopes that parties concerned will soon reach a long-term peaceful solution to disputes in line with international law. Such solution needs to account for the legitimate rights and interests of relevant parties, ensure security, safety, and essential needs of the people, and protect critical infrastructures in line with international humanitarian law.

Viet Nam supports, and asks the international community, and countries within and outside the region to continue to facilitate the dialogue among parties concerned, and provide further aids and humanitarian assistance to the people. Viet Nam also proposes that all parties concerned ensure the security and safety of foreigners residing in Ukraine, including the local Vietnamese community, and facilitate their evacuation when necessary.

7.Thanh Nien: On 01 March, the US’ CDC and Department of State have raised Viet Nam’s Travel Advisory Level to Level 4, and recommended US citizens against coming to Viet Nam due to concerns pertaining to the pandemic. Meanwhile, on 02 March, Russia identified Viet Nam as a safe travel destination. Please provide Viet Nam’s position on these recommendations, at a time when Viet Nam plans to resume tourism activities from 15 March.

Thanks to the bold and effective vaccine diplomacy strategy, Viet Nam has now achieved a high vaccination rate. This lays the groundwork for Viet Nam to transition to safe and flexible adaptation, effectively containing the pandemic while fostering economic recovery. In this spirit, the Government has decided to resume tourism activities from 15 March. At the instruction of the leaders of the Government, relevant Vietnamese Ministries and agencies are making active preparations for the realization of this goal.

On its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to finalize measures for the re-opening of the tourism sector, and review visa policies for tourists to enter Viet Nam, as I have previously stated.

Regarding Viet Nam’s position on the current situation in Ukraine and the adoption of the Resolution at the recent session of the UN General Assembly, I have provided an answer above.

8.DPA: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has put forth the directive to fully resume the tourism sector from 15 March, in ways that can provide favorable conditions for foreign tourists. However, from Official Dispatch no. 920 of the Ministry of Health dated 26 February, there are regulations pertaining to entry requirements that may pose challenges to these tourists (such as the need to take COVID-19 tests after 24 and 72 hours, and the restriction against people against 65 years old and children). Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs been informed of this situation, and what is the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter, in its capacity as an advisory body for the Government?

I wish to reiterate the position, perspective, and guideline of the Vietnamese Government, with Viet Nam having transitioned to safe and flexible adaptation, effectively containing the pandemic while fostering economic recovery and development.

We believe that the Government’s decision to resume tourism activities from 15 March will not only provide favorable conditions for international tourists, but also promote people-to-people exchanges, and allow foreigners to enter Viet Nam to study, work, do business and make investment. Vietnamese Ministries and agencies have been implementing the instruction of the Prime Minister in line with these directions and guidelines.

The specific matter you outlined is related to the Ministry of Health. We will discuss with the Ministry of Health for further clarification on this matter.

9.Zing News: Please provide an update on the number of Vietnamese nationals who need to be evacuated. Has there been any casualty among the local Vietnamese community?

According to the local Vietnamese diplomatic mission, there has not been any reported casualty among Vietnamese nationals.

Amid the complicated developments in Ukraine, Vietnamese nationals in this country have been evacuated from conflict areas, and from Ukraine via several routes. Such efforts were conducted with the support of Vietnamese representative missions in Ukraine and neighboring countries, and of local associations. A number of Vietnamese nationals also evacuated on their own. Vietnamese representative missions in Ukraine and neighboring countries are receiving frequent updates via citizen protection hotlines, so as to grasp the number of Vietnamese nationals in need of assistance and provide timely support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide an update at the end of each day on the number of Vietnamese nationals having been evacuated from conflict areas to other countries, and the demand for evacuation of Vietnamese nationals.