On 2nd November, Vietjet Air announced the flight route connecting the capital Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia with the coastal city Nha Trang of Vietnam.

The announcement ceremony took place in the framework of Mongolia - Vietnam Business Forum - a vital event during a State visit to Vietnam of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh from 1-5 November at the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. Remarkably, on this occasion, bilateral visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Mongolia has been signed, opening a new chapter for both countries to boost tourism exchange.

The Ulaanbaatar - Nha Trang route will be operated from 15 December 2023, with the frequency of 2 round-trip flights per week and around 5 hours and a half per leg, meeting the demands of Mongolian citizens and tourists travelling to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and vice versa.

Nha Trang is the world’s famous coastal city in Vietnam, known for its pleasant weather, the long sunny beach with blue sea, attractive destinations such as Ponagar Cham Towers, Tre Island, diverse and distinctive local cuisine, and Vietnam’s Central Coast specific culture. The capital Ulaanbaatar is the cultural, political, and economic centre of Mongolia, which attracts tourists with its cultural and historical destinations, as well as its magnificent natural landscapes and vast meadows.

The Ulaanbaatar - Nha Trang flight route is expected to enhance investment, tourism, cultural exchanges, education between the two nations and furthermore with Vietjet’s flight network covering Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China), South Korea, India, Kazakhstan, etc.

Heavy snow and blizzards are hitting large parts of Mongolia, causing icy roads and poor road visibility, the country's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring said Saturday.

Since Friday, snow and blizzards have been sweeping the western provinces of Zavkhan and Uvs and central parts of the country including the national capital Ulan Bator, and provinces of Arkhangai, Uvurkhangai, Tuv and Bulgan, with wind speeds up to 20 meters per second, the agency said in a statement.

The southern provinces of Dundgovi and Dornogovi, the eastern provinces of Khentii and Sukhbaatar, and the northern provinces of Khuvsgul and Darkhan-Uul are also experiencing strong winds and snow storms, it said.

Volatile weather is expected to continue in the coming days across large parts of the country, the agency said, warning the public, especially nomadic herders and drivers, to take extra precautions against possible disasters.

The Asian country's climate is strongly continental with long, frigid winters and short, warm summers.

Over the past year, Mongolia has seen an impressive surge in the number of tourists hailing from South Korea, with statistics reporting over 68,000 tourists making their way to this East Asian nation. This influx represents a significant shift in travel trends, placing the previously underrated country on the global tourism map. Why is Mongolia proving to be such a draw for South Korean tourists? Keep reading as we delve deeper into this trend.

A Mutual Understanding

South Korean tourists are often drawn to nations where they can experience a connection, steeped in mutual historical understanding. The century-old friendship and cultural commonalities that exist between Mongolia and South Korea, have played a substantial role in attracting South Korean tourists in droves.

Mongolia’s Unique Offerings

Travelers from across the globe are attracted to a nation’s unique offerings, and Mongolia is in no short supply of uniqueness. From its majestic steppes, fascinating nomadic lifestyle and rich history to its performance arts and cuisine, Mongolia offers a variety of experiences that cater to a broad spectrum of tourists’ interests. This, coupled with a sense of comfort derived from shared cultural elements with South Korea, positions Mongolia as an appealing destination for South Korean tourists.

The Role of Facilitated Travel

Another critical factor that contributes to the increase of South Korean tourists in Mongolia has been the facilitation of travel. Both nations have actively collaborated to improve air connectivity, making travel a seamless experience. Currently, several weekly flights operate between the two nations, reducing travel time and making it more convenient for tourists. This convenience is a significant factor driving the increase in numbers.

Benefits to Mongolia’s Economy

The sudden upsurge in tourists from South Korea is a boon for Mongolia’s economy, as it means increased revenue for the tourism industry. Given that the tourism sector plays a vital role in Mongolia’s economy, this growth in visitors is expected to create positive ripple effects across various sectors. It is also predicted to result in increased investments in hospitality, infrastructure, and other related services as the demand amplifies.

Looking Ahead

As the number of South Korean tourists in Mongolia continues to rise, the relationship between the two countries is set to strengthen further, fostering increased understanding and cultural exchange. This symbiotic relationship promises an exciting chapter in the coming era, not just for both nations, but also for the global travel industry. Hence, the rise of Mongolia as a popular tourist hub among South Koreans is more than just an isolated trend; it represents an evolving dynamic in global tourism patterns.

Cashmere supplied to Russia from Mongolia will soon become cheaper — the governments of the two countries have agreed to abolish duties and remove logistical barriers, Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko told reporters at Mongolia’s largest cashmere factory Gobi.

“As part of the agreement on the supply of cashmere to Russia, we visited the largest factory for the production of finished products: Mongolian cashmere, Gobi brand. We agreed right here at the factory that we will prepare a roadmap,” she said.

Abramchenko noted that the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Federal Customs Service, the Central Bank, the Russian border regions, where hubs will be created, will take part in the development of the document.

“It is important for us to run the route, we must deliver finished products to the Russian Federation duty-free. This is probably 50 percent of the cost of finished products,” the Deputy Prime Minister explained.

The best places to visit in 2024 have been named by the travel experts at Lonely Planet – and it's good news if you're planning a trip to Mongolia.

Lonely Planet's newly released Best In Travel 2024 book crowns the top ten countries, regions and cities to visit next year. Two new categories - 'value' and 'sustainable' - have also been introduced this year to mark Lonely Planet's 50th birthday.

The best cities have been unveiled as Nairobi in Kenya (first) and Paris (second), with three North American destinations in the top ten - Montreal (third), Philadelphia (fifth) and Kansas City (10th).

The best regions are the Trans Dinarica Cycling Route in the Western Balkans (first) and Australia’s Kangaroo Island (second), with the U.S state of Montana eighth and Far North Scotland ranking tenth.

Midwest USA has been named the best destination for value, while Spain is the best for sustainability – with the trails of Wales ranking fourth on the sustainability list.

Starting from November 2, foreign citizens and tourists residing in Mongolia for official or personal purposes have started using E-Mongolia using F-Register.

In other words, the "Foreign" window has been opened in E-Mongolia, and foreigners can get the necessary state services with the help of F-register. In this section, all types of visa application and renewal information in the highlighted part of the window can be directly transferred to immigration.gov.mn as a link.

A 13-digit registration number (F register) will be issued to a foreigner based on the registration 24 hours after entering the border of Mongolia. Foreigners can also send a photo of your passport to support@immigration.gov.mn to get a foreign registration number in a short time.

Foreigners can also use the F registration number service from the E-Mongolia application. If the foreign citizen fills in the information accurately, a 13-digit F registration number will be sent immediately.

Thank you Ms. Nyamgerel for your kind introduction and your dedication to this compact. Thank you Deputy Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Solongoo, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Zulphkar, and Deputy Prosecutor General Chinbat for your commitment to countering human trafficking and protecting children.

I am so pleased to join you today to convene the third annual United States-Mongolia Child Protection Compact Partnership dialogue. I am eager to hear about the progress over the past year toward achieving the goals of the CPC Partnership, including identifying and assisting victims and holding traffickers accountable. I am also excited to discuss the next steps as we move into the final year of the partnership to sustain these efforts. I look forward to hearing about plans for the next year, as well as ways the United States can work with Mongolia to solidify the Partnership’s achievements beyond its completion.

From the CPC signing in April 2020 and throughout subsequent efforts to fulfill the commitments set forth in the Partnership, the Government of Mongolia has demonstrated its commitment to this fight. Government officials and CPC implementing partners – World Vision and the Asia Foundation – have navigated many challenges, including a global pandemic, and have successfully adjusted where necessary to advance our shared goals. Over the past three years, the CPC Partnership has provided tools and enhanced government efforts to strengthen the response to trafficking and adapt to a changing environment, so we can continue this critical work to help the most vulnerable.

Through the CPC partnership, we have paired $5.5 million in U.S. funding with the Government of Mongolia’s significant investment of resources and personnel. Together, we are working toward our shared goals of strengthening the Government of Mongolia’s capacity to investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers of children in a victim-centered way; to identify and provide comprehensive trauma-informed care for children who are victims of these crimes; and to prevent child trafficking in all its forms.

This investment has yielded important accomplishments in Mongolia, including the establishment of the Multi-Disciplinary Task Force. I am happy to see so many of members of the task force here today. I am interested to hear how the Government of Mongolia plans to institutionalize and strengthen the Task Force so they can continue to assist victims and coordinate the response to trafficking cases. I was also glad to have witnessed the opening of five child friendly spaces in coordination with the National Police here in Ulaanbaatar. These spaces provide a place where children can get the support they deserve from the criminal justice system. It is important to note that these Child Friendly Spaces are staffed by people who have received advanced training and are prepared to ensure sustained, trauma-informed and age-appropriate care to children.

I am eager to learn more about the great work you are doing and the commitment from the Government of Mongolia and our implementing partners to help children. As part of this work, I encourage the Mongolian government to prioritize its own investment in anti-trafficking efforts. In particular, I would ask authorities across sectors to commit to improved efforts to identify suspected child trafficking victims and refer them to appropriate medical care. Improving identification of victims is a top priority of the CPC Partnership as the first step to ensure child victims receive appropriate support and care, as well as the justice they deserve. This must also include male victims of trafficking and victims of labor trafficking, who are often overlooked. As leaders on the front lines of this fight, you understand that identifying victims is a sign of progress, not failure. I urge you to talk about these issues with your colleagues and dispel any lingering misperceptions that identifying trafficking victims reflects poorly on the Government of Mongolia. I ask you today to pledge to redouble your efforts to identify victims so we can help as many children as possible in the final year of the Partnership.

Further, additional resources are needed to sustain the work of the CPC Partnership, including long-term staffing and maintenance of Child-Friendly Spaces, as well as institutionalization of the training and protocols we have developed. The Partnership’s final year must focus on sustainability so that children will continue get the assistance they deserve for years to come. I ask you to commit to ensuring sufficient resources to combat human trafficking and to provide trauma-informed support and assistance to victims, including children.

This morning, we will hear from various stakeholders, including Mongolian government officials and our implementing partners. We will hear about their accomplishments over the past year, challenges that remain, and plans for the coming year. I am especially interested to learn more from ministries and agencies about the government’s contributions to this Partnership, and how these contributions are improving outcomes for victims – particularly in victim identification, referral, and protection. I also look forward to hearing about plans to sustain the achievements of the partnership beyond the conclusion of U.S. funding next year.

Thank you again for joining us today and for your commitment to combat human trafficking. We have made great progress together, and I am confident we will achieve even more as we continue to work together to protect the children of Mongolia.

At the invitation of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is paying a State Visit to the French Republic on October 10-14, 2023.

During the Visit, the President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher paid a courtesy call on the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on October 11, 2023.

President Khurelsukh congratulated the President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher on his re-election as President of the Senate, winning the recent parliamentary elections in France.

The President of Mongolia expressed satisfaction with the development of relations between Mongolia and the French Republic with the efforts of the two countries. He also appraised the crucial role of close cooperation between the legislative bodies of Mongolia and France in creating a favorable legal environment for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The two sides exchanged views on enriching bilateral relations and cooperation with economic and investment content and support each other in achieving the common goals of bringing the relations between Mongolia and the French Republic to a Strategic Partnership.

French Senate President Gérard Larcher wished the President of Mongolia success on his State Visit to France. The French Senate President expressed his commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at expanding Mongolia-France relations and cooperation, besides the cooperation of parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries.

Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa signed the Senate Hall's Honorary Guest Book, leaving a message.