Malaysia hits million int'l arrivals, tops Southeast Asia

By Minh Ngoc
Sat, June 11, 2022 | 2:58 pm GMT+7
Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of MalaysiaVisa.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of MalaysiaVisa.

Malaysia, since its border reopening on April 1, has managed to attract over a million foreign tourists, thrice higher than Vietnam and leading Southeast Asia post-pandemic.

Within two months, Malaysia has fulfilled over half of the full year target set by the government, according to New Straits Times, Malaysia's oldest English-language newspaper.

"A large part of the total was from Singapore and it is expected many more tourists from Japan, Iran and Korea will be arriving in Malaysia," Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, told a media conference.

Vietnam welcomed roughly 300,000 international visitors since its full border reopening on March 15. Of this, 172,900 came in May, a 70.6% rise over April and 12.8 times higher than the same month last year, General Statistics Office reported.

International passengers arrive at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi on the first day of Vietnam's full tourism reopening. Photo courtesy of VOV.

International passengers arrive at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi on the first day of Vietnam's full tourism reopening. Photo courtesy of VOV.

As Covid-19 has been put under control, international routes began to recover swiftly, and Vietnamese airlines have resumed international flights on a regular basis, with plans to increase frequency.

Malaysia welcomed overseas visitors half a month later than Vietnam. It has offered a tourist-friendly Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP), which were capable of attracting more foreign tourists to Malaysia, according to Shukri.

"People like our SOP because there's no mandatory quarantines, Covid-19 screening tests and insurance, and it's up to tourists to do so," the minister added.

Vietnam lifted health declaration requirements on April 27 and dropped its Covid-19 testing requirement for people entering the country on May 15. The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism is proposing to lift mandatory health insurance for Covid-19 treatment and travel insurance requirements for foreign arrivals.

A total 294,300 people visited Singapore last month, according to Singapore Tourism Board. The island state has scrapped most of its Covid-19 restrictions since April 26.

The Philippines had admitted more than 500,000 foreign visitors since reopening its borders in February, official data shows.

From January 1 to June 6, the foreign arrivals in Thailand reached 1.4 million, Thailand Tourism Authority reported. The country plans to end mandatory pre-travel registration for foreigners, so-called “Thailand Pass”, at a meeting on June 17, according to Bloomberg.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnamese retail majors set for prosperous year after robust Q1

Vietnamese retail majors set for prosperous year after robust Q1

Vietnamese retail majors have reported Q1/2024 profits several times higher year-on-year or turned losses into profit after purchasing power recovered significantly during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, market observers say.

Companies - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 10:21 pm GMT+7

Vietnam assigns vice chairman to take charge of parliament

Vietnam assigns vice chairman to take charge of parliament

National Assembly standing Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man has been tasked with running the national parliament after Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue was dismissed from his position.

Politics - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 7:37 pm GMT+7

Vietnam investment environment favorable for strategic M&A opportunities: KPMG

Vietnam investment environment favorable for strategic M&A opportunities: KPMG

With inflation under control, projected growth of 5.8% and public debt kept manageable this year, Vietnam’s investment environment offers strategic opportunities, especially in M&A, says audit and consulting firm KPMG.

Economy - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 4:59 pm GMT+7

PV Gas sees Q1 net profit go down 26% to $99 mln

PV Gas sees Q1 net profit go down 26% to $99 mln

PV Gas, Vietnam’s largest dry gas and LPG supplier, earned consolidated net profits of VND2,511.66 billion ($98.96 million) in Q1/2024, down 26.5% year-on-year.

Companies - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 3:38 pm GMT+7

Key infrastructure projects face site clearance issues, material shortages

Key infrastructure projects face site clearance issues, material shortages

Progress of the Long Thanh international airport project and component projects for the North-South Expressway’s eastern section in the 2021-2025 period is being held back by uneven site clearance and material shortages.

Infrastructure - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 3:35 pm GMT+7

Ba Ria-Vung Tau province health department head in trouble for bidding rules violations

Ba Ria-Vung Tau province health department head in trouble for bidding rules violations

Legal proceedings have been initiated against Pham Minh An, director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province's Department of Health for alleged bidding regulation violations related to equipment supply for a hospital.

Society - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 3:21 pm GMT+7

USD weakens slightly against VND after Fed holds rates steady

USD weakens slightly against VND after Fed holds rates steady

The U.S. dollar slid against the Vietnamese dong (VND) on Thursday morning hours after the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) kept its policy rate unchanged in the 5.25-5.50% range.

Banking - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 11:37 am GMT+7

PV Gas takes delivery of third LNG batch to meet rising power demand

PV Gas takes delivery of third LNG batch to meet rising power demand

PV Gas, the gas production arm of state-owned Petrovietnam, has taken delivery of its third batch of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet demand for power generation as the country battles to cope with a prolonged heat wave.

Energy - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 10:52 am GMT+7

Vietnam factory activity returns to growth on new orders: S&P

Vietnam factory activity returns to growth on new orders: S&P

The Vietnamese manufacturing sector returned to growth in April as a solid expansion of new orders fed through to a renewed increase in production, according to S&P Global.

Economy - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 9:25 am GMT+7

HCMC well off target of 8 metro lines by 2035

HCMC well off target of 8 metro lines by 2035

Vietnam’s southern economic hub Ho Chi Minh City seems to be falling well short of its goal of building eight metro lines totaling 200 kilometers by 2035 because none have been put into operation thus far.

Infrastructure - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 9:14 am GMT+7

Vietnam property market past most difficult period: expert

Vietnam property market past most difficult period: expert

The Vietnamese real estate market has gone through its most difficult period, and businesses or investors that have survived have done so through strong experience and resources, said Nguyen Van Dinh, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARS).

Real Estate - Thu, May 2, 2024 | 8:17 am GMT+7

Seven must-visit places in Dien Bien province

Seven must-visit places in Dien Bien province

The northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien has many charming places to visit, in addition to historical relic sites related to the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

Travel - Wed, May 1, 2024 | 10:42 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's economy: positive changes but concerns persist

Vietnam's economy: positive changes but concerns persist

Vietnam's economic picture is looking more positive with numerous bright spots, but many difficulties remain, especially market confidence, concerns about private investment, and social consumption, writes Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, director of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy.

Opinion - Wed, May 1, 2024 | 6:32 pm GMT+7

Major industrial park developer Kinh Bac suffers setback with $3 mln Q1 loss

Major industrial park developer Kinh Bac suffers setback with $3 mln Q1 loss

Vietnamese industrial park developer Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation recorded Q1/2024 losses of VND76.7 billion ($3 million), a setback considering its annual profit target of VND4,000 billion ($157.8 million).

Industrial real estate - Wed, May 1, 2024 | 3:51 pm GMT+7

Founder of Vietnam’s ACB bank passes away

Founder of Vietnam’s ACB bank passes away

Asia Commercial Bank founder Tran Mong Hung, father of the current chairman Tran Hung Huy, passed away Thursday. He was 72.

Banking - Wed, May 1, 2024 | 3:37 pm GMT+7

Singapore Management University opens office in HCMC

Singapore Management University opens office in HCMC

Singapore Management University (SMU) has chosen to open a representative office in Vietnam after Indonesia and Thailand as part of its vision to 2025.

Companies - Wed, May 1, 2024 | 3:18 pm GMT+7