Malaysia ready to welcome international tourists back

Immigration services at entry points will be back to their pre-pandemic strength in anticipation of large crowds of travelers and an influx of foreign workers as the country reopens its borders on April 1, Malaysia's Immigration Department Director-General Khairul Dzaimee Daud said.
Malaysia ready to welcome international tourists back ảnh 1Passengers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on March 9. (Photo: XINHUA/VNA)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Immigrationservices at entry points will be back to their pre-pandemic strength inanticipation of large crowds of travelers and an influx of foreign workers as thecountryreopens its borders on April 1, Malaysia's Immigration Department Director-General KhairulDzaimee Daud said.

Counters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and otherentry points will operate around the clock beginning on April 1, he told apress conference on March 30, adding that Malaysia wants to make sure everything goessmoothly and efficiently, without letting visitors wait too long.

Khairul said that between March 1 and 28, a total of84,915 international passports were issued, which is a strong indication thatMalaysians are eager to travel after being unable to do so since the start ofthe pandemic in 2020.

He expected the number of passport applications to increase during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri in May, one of the biggest holidays in Malaysia, when many more countries open their borders.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said thepolice force is also ready for the reopening of borders.

Aswith other agencies, they have made ample preparations, especially at the northernand southern borders in Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak, hetold reporters at the Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2022exhibitions on March 29./.

VNA

See more

Newly installed Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit on his first day at the ministry. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand prioritises AI training, job creation

The new Thai Labour Minister's five policies include equipping Thai workers with AI skills by focusing on developing AI curricula aligned with the manufacturing and service sectors and providing all worker groups with skill training through cross-sector collaborations.

Electric vehicles inside BYD's factory in Rayong, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters/VNA)

Thailand’s electric vehicle market heats up

Hyper-competition in China's electric vehicle sector is spilling over to its biggest market in Asia, Thailand, as smaller players struggle to compete with dominant BYD, putting ambitious local production plans at risk.

Laos steps up biodiversity conservation efforts

Laos steps up biodiversity conservation efforts

Laos is home to over 500 fish species, which play a vital role in maintaining the country's ecological balance and represent an important part of its natural heritage. Each year, nationwide activities are held to raise public awareness, especially among young people, about the importance of conserving aquatic life and protecting ecosystems.

This photo provided by the Geological Agency of Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry shows volcanic materials spewing from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki at East Flores regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on July 7. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia: Flights to Bali cancelled amid volcanic eruption

Mount Lewotobi, standing at 1,584 metres, last erupted in November 2024, claiming nine lives and displacing thousands. It is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes, as the country lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense tectonic and volcanic activity.

Delegate pose for a photo before the opening of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 7. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in Malaysia

Ambassador Binh and other representatives highly appreciated the role of the ASEAN Chair - Malaysia - in coordinating and leading ASEAN cooperation to achieve many advances, gradually concretising the orientation of "inclusivity and sustainability".

Sandbags are put up in flood-prone areas in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on Friday. (Photo: Chiang Rai public relations office)

Thailand braces for floods, landslides

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued an urgent weather alert for 33 provinces across the North, Northeast, Central and South, warning of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and rising water levels in major rivers, particularly the Mekong, between July 6 and 12.

Unmanned assassin: Air force officers test a 'Kamikaze' UAV made to boost their combat readiness. Royal Thai Air Force (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thai air force develops squadron of 'Kamikaze' drones

The project is a collaboration between the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy, the Directorate of Armament of the RTAF and the RTAF's Research and Development Centre for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology.

Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani arrives at the Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, previously known as Wallace Air Station, in San Fernando City, La Union province, Philippines, on February 23, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS)

Japan eyes export of used destroyers to Philippines

The Japanese Government hopes that the transfer of used destroyers to the Philippines will qualify as a form of defence cooperation, as the ships would be modified to meet the specific operational needs of the Philippine side.

(Photo: Screenshot)

Argentine media hails Vietnam’s growing contributions to int’l community

In its article published on July 6, Reporte Asia stated that Vietnam has held key international roles, including ASEAN Chair in 1998, 2010, and 2020; the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forums in 2006 and 2017; and the member of the UN Human Rights Council in 2014–2016 and 2023–2025, demonstrating its commitment to dialogue and joint problem-solving.

ASEAN conducts technical review relating to SEANWFZ protocol

ASEAN conducts technical review relating to SEANWFZ protocol

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said the measure reflects ASEAN’s continued efforts to strengthen global commitment to the principle of nuclear non-proliferation and to make Southeast Asia a fully nuclear weapon-free zone.

Poder360 reports on the talks between Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. (Screenshot of the article – VNA)

Brazilian newspapers highlight Vietnamese PM’s trip to Rio de Janeiro

According to the Brazilian government-run Planalto news site, during their talks on July 5 (local time), PM Chinh and President Lula da Silva celebrated the excellent status of the bilateral relations as well as the progress made since the latter’s state visit to Hanoi last April.

Brazil’s INVERTA Radio highlights Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: VNA).

Brazilian media praises Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy

With a vibrant economy, a population nearing 100 million, and deep integration into global supply chains, Vietnam brings to Brazil the story of a nation that has evolved from isolation to becoming a trusted and active participant in shaping multilateral frameworks.