The bilateral visit reflects a strong history of parliamentary engagement between Australia and Vietnam, and follows Chairwoman Ngan’s visit to Australia in November 2017 and the visit of the Speaker of Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith to Vietnam in July 2018. In Hanoi, Senator Ryan has hold bilateral talks with Chairwoman Ngan to discuss issues such as strengthening parliamentary cooperation, reviewing Australian support for economic development in Vietnam, improving people-to-people links between Australia and Vietnam and the potential for strengthened regional cooperation. Senator Scott Ryan welcomed by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan During the meeting, Ngan expressed her hope that the high-ranking delegation of the Australian Senate’s current visit to Vietnam, led by Ryan, will contribute to consolidating and promoting the two countries’ strategic partnership. The Australian Senate President highlighted … [Read more...] about President of Australian Senate visits Vietnam
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Vietnam visa hassles could deter long holidayers
Frenchman Thomas and Thai girlfriend Araya had big plans for Vietnam. Their first visit to the country in August had impressed them so much that they wanted to return for a much longer trip. The first trip happened after they’d traveled from France to Bangkok to visit Araya's parents. As they socialized with Vietnamese people and learnt about different places in the country, they regretted not visiting Vietnam sooner. After the trip, Thomas researched more information about other travel destinations in Vietnam. Fond of motorbikes, he planned to enjoy exploring the northern mountains on one, apart from a leisure trip to Nha Trang, a resort town in central Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City for Araya. Vietnam’s beaches are a popular draw among foreigners, but those who want long holidays in the country face complicated visa rules and procedures. Photo acquired by VnExpress The plan was to spend the entire month of November exploring Vietnam, before Thomas starting a … [Read more...] about Vietnam visa hassles could deter long holidayers
Extended visa exemption to increase Western European guests
(VEN) - The 15-day visa exemption policy for visitors from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy was extended by three years commencing July 1. This is expected to increase the number of high-spending, long-stay visitors to Vietnam. Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive destination for Western European visitors Western European market development According to Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, the open-door visa policy aligned with enhanced tourism promotion has contributed to maintaining Vietnam’s growth rate of foreign visitors at nearly 30 percent annually. Minister Dung noted that the government would consider proposals from the Vietnam Tourism Association concerning the extension of the period of stay in Vietnam from 15 to 30 days and the expansion of exemptions for more countries. Western Europe is a desirable tourist market with its stable economy and high-spending, long-stay visitors. According to Hoang Nhan Chinh, Secretary … [Read more...] about Extended visa exemption to increase Western European guests
Nearly 96,500 foreigners apply for e-visa in 2017
Procedures for granting e-visas on the website are implemented simply, ensuring publicity and transparency. The time for processing e-visa applications is within three working days. Vietnam began allowing tourists from 40 countries to apply for e-visas from February 1, 2017, with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US, the UK, Germany and Sweden — all major target markets for its tourism sector, among the 40. The government recently decided to expand e-visa issuance for visitors from six more countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UAE, India and the Netherlands. Visitors with e-visas can enter through eight international airports, 13 international border gates on land or seven ports. However, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) cited a recent official dispatch from the Border Gate Department of the Border Guard High Command that foreigners, mainly tourists entered Vietnam on international buses or in caravans through the … [Read more...] about Nearly 96,500 foreigners apply for e-visa in 2017
Vietnam, Australia elevate ties to strategic partnership
At the talks, PM Turnbull showed his pleasure to host the Vietnamese Government leader following their previous meeting at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam in November 2017, and at a time when the two sides are celebrating their 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He said that he is impressed by the Vietnamese Government’s efforts in socio-economic development and international integration, especially the country’s successful organisation of the APEC Year 2017. PM Phuc congratulated Australia on important achievements over the past year, especially in the economy, noting his belief that Australia will continue growing in a sustainable and prosperous manner, with higher role and position in the region and the world. The two sides shared the delight at the strong and substantial progress of the Vietnam-Australia partnership over the past 45 years, with strengthened political trust and strategic interest sharing, which has paved the way for … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Australia elevate ties to strategic partnership
2017: Vietnam among world’s 10 fastest growing destinations
The latest statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) show Vietnam sixth among the world’s 10 fastest growing travel destinations in the first months of 2017 and first in Asia, thanks to efforts by the government, ministries, sectors, and localities to make tourism a spearhead industry. 2017: Vietnam among world’s 10 fastest growing destinations Last year Vietnam welcomed more than 13 million foreign visitors, up 28%. The growth brought tourism turnover to US$23 billion, up more than 25%. Tourism now contributes 7% to the national GDP. Early last year, the Politburo issued a Resolution on making tourism a spearhead economic sector. The National Assembly passed a revised Law on Tourism. The Government also approved two new visa policies, granting e-visas to foreign visitors and exempting visitors from five Western European countries – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain - which has encouraged travel and attracted more tourists. … [Read more...] about 2017: Vietnam among world’s 10 fastest growing destinations
EuroCham urges Vietnam to relax visa requirements
EuroCham urges Vietnam to relax visa requirementsDao Loan HCMC – The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has proposed the Vietnamese Government relax visa requirements including visa exemptions for more countries, visa on arrival and specific visa rules for those tourists re-entering the nation in less than 30 days. At a dialogue meeting on mechanisms, policies and administrative procedures related to business operation and activities of European firms in Vietnam, held in Hanoi on January 22, EuroCham called for a visa waiver for visitors from the countries which have signed free trade agreements with Vietnam. The visa requirements should also be eased for Vietnam’s investment partners and target tourism markets like India and Australia, according to EuroCham. Vietnam should also extend the visa waiver to passport holders of five Western European countries to five years from the current one year and lengthen the visa-free stay from 15 days to 30 days. In … [Read more...] about EuroCham urges Vietnam to relax visa requirements
Vietnam emerges as attractive destination for luxurious foreign cruisers
The country ranked sixth among the regional countries most visited by cruise ships in 2017, following Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. “Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for our guests from the US, Australia and Europe, as well as from Asian countries, and cruising is one of the best ways to explore this magnificent part of the world”, said Farriek Tawfik, Director of the Southeast Asia at Princess Cruises, a cruise line owned by the US Carnival Corporation & PLC. The Southeast Asian country poses huge potential for cruise travel. The nation has become an apple of foreign cruisers thanks to the growing population of the middle and affluent class which is expected to double in size between now and 2020, to 33 million, or one third of the country’s population. Farriek Tawfik said that cruise demand in the country surged 126% during 2012-2016, the strongest growth recorded in the Asian region. Quoting statistics from … [Read more...] about Vietnam emerges as attractive destination for luxurious foreign cruisers
Vietnam emerges as attractive destination for foreign luxurious cruisers
The country ranked sixth among regional countries most visited by cruise ships in 2017, following Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. An international five-start cruise visits Vietnam. (Photo:Princess Cruises) “Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for our guests from the US, Australia and Europe as well as from Asian countries and cruising is one of the best ways to explore this magnificent part of the world”, said Farriek Tawfik, Director of the Southeast Asia at Princess Cruises, a cruise line owned by the US Carnival Corporation &PLC. In response to growing demand, the cruise line has significantly expanded itineraries to offer passengers more choices of sailings and exciting trips, he added. Princess Cruises took 58,000 international passengers on 22 sailings to Vietnam’s Phu My, Nha Trang, Da Nang and Cai Lan ports in 2017. This year, its six cruisers - Majestic Princess, Sapphire Princess, … [Read more...] about Vietnam emerges as attractive destination for foreign luxurious cruisers
Vietnam confirms plan to fly non-stop to California in 2018
Vietnam’s government has approved plans to expand its air network to major markets including Australia, China, Europe and the United States starting from this year. According to the plan, Vietnam Airlines will go through with its proposal to open non-stop services to the U.S., starting with direct flights to the west coast in 2018. The national carrier is considering between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The U.S. proposal was revealed a couple of years ago and received much excitement, given busy travel between the countries. The U.S. is the fourth largest source of foreign visitors to Vietnam, with more than 614,000 people coming in 2017, up 11 percent from the previous year, according to the General Statistics Office. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus said in September 2016 that it had signed an MoU with Vietnam Airlines to deliver 10 A350-900 aircraft, which will be used for non-stop flights to the U.S. But the giant economy across the Pacific is just part Vietnam's sky plan. For … [Read more...] about Vietnam confirms plan to fly non-stop to California in 2018