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
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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
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
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
Diversified products to get more tourists coming back to Vietnam
Vietnam has been famous for attractions such as Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Son Doong cave, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue and Sapa. Vietnam this year recorded at receiving 13 million foreign tourists, up 28 per cent against last year. The country also ranked 67th among 136 economies in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, putting it among the 10 most-improved since 2015. Attractive as it is, however, Vietnam is facing with the fact that many foreigners don’t have the intention of visiting the country the second time. According to a survey conducted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of return international visitors stood at around 20 percent. But last year, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, a non-profit group, estimated that only 6 percent of first-time visitors to Vietnam ever return. To put things in perspective, around 60 to 70 percent of travelers to Thailand, which received a record 33 million international arrivals in 2016, … [Read more...] about Diversified products to get more tourists coming back to Vietnam
Vietnam welcomes more than 13 million foreign visitors in 2017
According to latest statistics of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Vietnam ranks first in Asia and sixth among ten countries with the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations for 2017. The achievement is attributed to great efforts of all ministries, departments and localities to develop tourism into a spearhead economic industry.In November alone, the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam hit nearly 1.2 million, up 14.4% compared to October. This is the eighth month of this year the country welcomed more than 1 million foreign arrivals.Foreign arrivals to the country have grown sharply over the last two years. The growth brings turnover of the tourism industry to nearly VND515 trillion (US$23 billion) this year, which is up 25.2% against last year and contributes 7% to the country’s GDP.Worthy of note is that early this year, the Politburo issued Resolution No8 on developing tourism into a key economic industry. The National Assembly passed … [Read more...] about Vietnam welcomes more than 13 million foreign visitors in 2017
More than 3.7 million foreigners visited Vietnam in nine months
The General Statistics Office of Vietnam reported more than 383,400 foreign tourists visited Vietnam in September 2010, an increase of 26% from September 2009. This figure raised the total foreign tourists to Vietnam in the first nine months of 2010 to more than 3.7 million. Compared to the same period of 2009, almost all tourist markets saw increases, such as Cambodia, up 92.2%; China, up 89.2%; Thailand, up 39.5%; the Republic of Korea, up 29.4%; Australia, up 27.9%; Malaysia, up 23.1%; Japan, up 18.7%; France, up 12%; and the US, up 2.4%. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung has just agreed with the proposal to grant free visas to foreign tourists between October and December. The policy will be applied to foreign visitors who book package tours under a tourist promotions package called “Vietnam - Your destination”. Experts said that sharp increases in the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam over the past months is because promotion policies of … [Read more...] about More than 3.7 million foreigners visited Vietnam in nine months
More than 96,000 foreigners granted e-visa in past nine months Most Recent News
NDO – As many as 96,478 foreigners requested and received e-visas in the past nine months (since February 1), including 93,266 that accessed the application system by themselves and 3,212 that completed the procedures through domestic agencies and organisations. The information was released at a press conference held by the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, in Hanoi, on December 12, to evaluate the results of a nine-month trial period of granting e-visas for foreigners, as well as to announce that more countries have been added to the e-visa programme. According to Major General Le Xuan Vien, Director of the Immigration Department, over the past nine months, the programme of granting e-visas for foreigners has been appreciated by both domestic and international travellers, as well as attracting the interest of citizens from the US and Europe. He also noted that the issuance of e-visas has attracted a larger number of foreigners to visit Vietnam, to … [Read more...] about More than 96,000 foreigners granted e-visa in past nine months Most Recent News
E-visa issuance grows each month: immigration official
The press conference, held by the department, reviewed Vietnam’s nine-month pilot e-visa scheme and announced six more nations whose citizens are eligible to the scheme.Since February 1, the National Web Portal on Immigration has reported about one million visits; and approximately 96,500 foreign citizens were granted e-visas, 97 percent of whom got their e-visas through the portal, Vien unveiled. The country’s new e-visa scheme has been well-received by both people at home and overseas after nine months of implementation, and particularly attracted greater attention from citizens from the US and European countries, he noted. Major General Le Xuan Vien, head of the Immigration Management Department, speaks at the press conference to review the nine-month pilot e-visa scheme. Source: vietnamnet. vn The immigration official added that Vietnam provides both e-visa and visa-upon-arrival services. Following the success of the scheme, the government has … [Read more...] about E-visa issuance grows each month: immigration official
More than 96,000 foreigners granted e-visa in past nine months
NDO – As many as 96,478 foreigners requested and received e-visas in the past nine months (since February 1), including 93,266 that accessed the application system by themselves and 3,212 that completed the procedures through domestic agencies and organisations.The information was released at a press conference held by the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, in Hanoi, on December 12, to evaluate the results of a nine-month trial period of granting e-visas for foreigners, as well as to announce that more countries have been added to the e-visa programme.According to Major General Le Xuan Vien, Director of the Immigration Department, over the past nine months, the programme of granting e-visas for foreigners has been appreciated by both domestic and international travellers, as well as attracting the interest of citizens from the US and Europe.He also noted that the issuance of e-visas has attracted a larger number of foreigners to visit Vietnam, to … [Read more...] about More than 96,000 foreigners granted e-visa in past nine months