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Congratulations on Sri Lanka National Day AT A GLANCE

AUTOMATIC STAY EXTENSIONS END FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM
Vietnam brought to an end automatic automatic stay extension until October 31, 2021 and could depart
stay extensions for foreign nationals Vietnam without having to apply for an extension. For those who
in the country on January 15, as it entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020, the same automatic stay
tentatively reopens its borders, extension until October 31, 2021 was subject to the provision of
according to a notice from the Immigration Department at the proof that the person was stranded in Vietnam due to Covid-19,
Ministry of Public Security. The automatic stay extension policy accompanied by a diplomatic note (with Vietnamese translation)
was put into place after Vietnam began imposing stringent border from diplomatic missions, or a written document from Vietnamese
control measures in March 2020, essentially halting all foreign authorities confirming that the person was required to undergo
entries into the country in response to the emergence of Covid-19. mandatory quarantine or treatment for Covid-19, or advice of other
Accordingly, foreigners who entered Vietnam on visa waivers, e- force majeure. The person was required to present the diplomatic
visas, or tourist visas from March 1, 2020 were entitled to an note or written document on departure from Vietnam.

ENTRY PROCEDURES SMOOTHER PROCESS FOR FOREIGN ARRIVALS
The Vietnam News Agency on January 19 quoted a dispatch and overseas Vietnamese and their
released by the Office of the Government as reporting that Per- relatives with valid entry papers can
manent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has given in- enter the country without undergoing
principle approval to favorable entry procedures being created personal examination, visa granting,
for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese and their relatives. For- and visa exemption procedures again. They also don’t need to
eigners entering Vietnam, under these procedures, are those seek entry approval from ministries, sectors, or localities. Regarding
invited or guaranteed by agencies, organizations, or individuals foreigners who don’t have visas, provincial-level People’s Com-
in line with the law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit mittees will consider approving their entry, so as to create optimal
through, and residence in Vietnam. Foreigners who wish to come conditions for them to work, attend meetings, study, or engage
for tourism purposes, in the short term, are still welcome under in humanitarian activities. Ministries, sectors, and central agencies
the pilot program on reopening to international tourists. Foreigners will make decisions on foreigners coming to work with them.

FIRST WINNERS RECEIVE TOTAL OF $4.5MLN VINFUTURE PRIZE
The winners of the first VinFuture their contributions to the development of the mRNA vaccine tech-
Prize, an annual international nology. Chinese-American scientist Zhenan Bao received a $500,000
award honoring scientific achieve- Prize for female innovators for her research on “electronic skins”.
ments and managed by the Vin- South African scientists Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha
Future Foundation, were Abdool Karim were awarded a $500,000 Prize for developing
announced at a ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Pham country innovators for their invention of a gel with tenofovir, a
Minh Chinh in Hanoi on January 20. Katalin Kariko and Drew product for women to prevent HIV infection. And US scientist
Weissman from the US and Pieter Rutter Cullis from Canada Omar Yaghi received a $500,000 Prize for outstanding achievements
were awarded the VinFuture Grand Prize worth $3 million for in emerging fields, for his research into water and material science.

INTERNET SERVICE MORE INVESTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
According to the Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review) newspaper, 4G covers 99.8 per cent of the pop-
internet infrastructure in Vietnam is set to receive considerable ulation and cable internet reaches
investment in 2022 to meet users’ growing demand. The number all communal-level localities. How-
of internet subscriptions in the country hit a record last year, of ever, repeated breakdowns of under-
nearly 71 million mobile broadband subscriptions and 18.8 million sea international cables have greatly affected domestic internet
fixed subscriptions, rising 4 per cent and 14.6 per cent, respectively, quality. There are five undersea cable routes currently operating
against 2020. Internet users stood at 71 million for the first time, in Vietnam and two more are scheduled to be put into use in
accounting for two-thirds of the population. Internet traffic also 2022 and 2023. The newspaper cited Minister of Information
grew strongly, by over 40 per cent. Telecom businesses stepped and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung as saying that infra-
up developing broadband infrastructure during the year. The 5G structure must be developed first and fast, and that the technologies
network has been piloted in 16 cities and provinces to date, while applied must be modern.

RISE IN INVESTIGATIONS IN 2021 CORRUPTION FIGHT
Among many corruption cases recovery of assets in corruption cases, with over VND9 trillion
investigated last year, 390 involving ($396 million) reclaimed last year. Party committees and Party
1,011 people were prosecuted, inspection commissions at all levels intensified supervision and
according to a report from the inspection, with 618 Party members disciplined during the year
Central Steering Committee for for corruption or intentional wrongdoings. The Party Central
Anti-Corruption presented at its meeting on January 20. These Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat meted out disciplinary
included ten major cases under the supervision of the Steering measures on many high-ranking officials for their involvement
Committee. Many new serious cases have been brought to light in corruption. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Head
that involve both incumbent and retired high-ranking officials of the Steering Committee, said it has issued effective instructions
and officers of the rank of General in the armed forces, ten of on inspections, audits, investigations, prosecutions, trials, and
whom were under the management of the Politburo and the sentence enforcement, while preventive work continued to be
Party Central Committee’s Secretariat. Progress was seen in the promoted, reflecting the strong resolve to tackle the vice.

www.en.vneconomy.vn FEBRUARY 2022 | VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES | 5