Vietnam - Vietnam becomes friendlier to foreign media

A new decree signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last week loosens restrictions on the foreign media.

Foreign media agencies can now open bureaus across Vietnam instead of being confined to Hanoi as before.

Foreign journalists based in Vietnam can directly contact all ministries and government instead of having to go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They can get press cards for a year, double the old period.

A correspondent can work for more than one media agency, and reporters based in other countries can cover Vietnam as well.

The procedures for activities like setting up bureaus and getting visas have been simplified.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would work with relevant agencies to issue a circular to guide implementation of the new decree.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said the decree seeks to amend inappropriate regulations in the old decree and add new ones to make it easier for foreign news agencies to work in Vietnam.

It replaces Decree 67 issued in 1996, and takes effect December 20.

Thanh Nien News

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