Hong Kong’s eased visas rules for Vietnamese ‘first step’ to more travel relaxations and better access to inflow of talent, country’s consul general says
- Vietnamese nationals will be eligible to work in Hong Kong under series of employment programmes after policy shift announced by city leader
- ‘With this lifting of restrictions in Hong Kong, companies have access to the huge human resources that Vietnam has,’ Pham Binh Dam says
Hong Kong’s move to relax tough visa rules for Vietnamese nationals entering the city for work or travel cleared a long-standing “obstacle” that has hampered economic opportunities and bilateral ties, the country’s envoy to the city has said.
The relaxation came as the city works to strengthen ties with the Southeast Asian nation and tap growing business opportunities, with a Vietnamese Association of Hong Kong to launch soon.
Vietnamese Consul General Pham Binh Dam, speaking to the Post on Friday, said the new measures were a “first step” towards further relaxation of rules for travellers, and that Hong Kong’s economy would benefit from the inflow of Vietnamese talent.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced in his policy address on Wednesday that visa rules for Vietnamese nationals entering Hong Kong for travel, business and employment would be relaxed.
“The visa restrictions have been standing as an obstacle,” Pham said. “With this lifting of the restrictions in Hong Kong, companies have access to the huge human resources that Vietnam has.”
He added that the earlier restrictions were akin to “sanctioning the whole country”.
“That issue will no longer stand as the sticking point in the relationship,” Pham said. “We are entering a new period, in which all possibilities are open.”