The word "cheap" is a powerful word in consumer psychology. But its meaning is not always the same – or welcome. In the world of tourism services, ‘cheap’ can imply good value, but is it a low or high quality product? For many years, Vietnam has been seen as a ‘cheap’ or 'budget’ destination by the global travel industry, but within Vietnam this tag has increasingly been seen as a double–edged sword, especially as the country seeks to elevate the standard of its services and products to offer more high-end and high-quality experiences to broaden its appeal. In 2017, the country was still being touted as a destination for budget travel by the Rough Guides, which ranked Vietnam third out of the top 20 ‘Best Budget Travel Destinations’ in the world. For many backpackers looking to travel on a ‘shoestring budget’ this certainly maintained Vietnam’s appeal. Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills. However, for many local … [Read more...] about Modern Vietnam no longer confined to being a budget destination
Vietnam tourist visa on arrival
Removing the “budget” stigma: a more dynamic, modern Vietnam
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is an attractive resort in Vietnam and Danang A double-edged sword The word “cheap” is a powerful word in consumer psychology. However, its meaning is not always the same – or welcome. In the world of tourism services, “cheap” could imply something is good-value, but is it a low or high-quality product? Many affluent travellers may also turn their nose up at a place or product that is deemed “cheap” or suitable for budget travellers. For many years, Vietnam has been seen as a “cheap” or “budget” destination by the global travel industry, which it increasingly sees as a double-edged sword, especially as the country seeks to elevate the standard of its services and products to offer more and more high-end and high-quality experiences to broaden its appeal as a travel destination. In 2017, the country was still being touted as a destination for budget travel by the Rough … [Read more...] about Removing the “budget” stigma: a more dynamic, modern Vietnam
Visiting Vietnam is easier with new online booking platform
The Hong Kong-based e-commerce travel site has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ho Chi Minh City Promotion Center on a joint mission to promote Vietnam tourism. The MOU comes at a strategic time, as visitors from Asia to Vietnam hit a record high in the first 11 months in 2018 with more than 14 millions of travelers, including 77.7% from Asian countries, increase 21% compared to the same period last year. "Ho Chi Minh City is an important destination on Fayfay.com and we look forward to showcasing the city’s vibrant architecture, rich culinary scene, and authentic local experiences," said Kingston Lai, co-founder of the site. "We believe strategic joint promotional activities with the Tourism Promotion Center will enable us to leverage our online platform and inspire Hong Kong travelers to visit Ho Chi Minh City," he added. To celebrate the MoU, Fayfay.com and Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center guided a Hong Kong media group on a tour of Ho Chi Minh City, … [Read more...] about Visiting Vietnam is easier with new online booking platform
Foreign tourists happy with Vietnam’s visa exemption policy
Foreign tourists visit Hue Imperial City. (Photo: VNA) - Foreign visitors have warmly welcomed Vietnam’s continued visa exemptions for guests from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, saying the policy is good for the country to spur tourism. From the beginning of July, citizens from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy will enjoy visa exemptions for the next three years, until June 30, 2021, as approved by the Prime Minister. “Visa exemption is good for the country to open to tourism,” said Anthony Dme, a visitor from France. Vietnam first offered visa waivers for citizens from the five European countries in July, 2015. The policy has been updated annually and would have expired at the end of June. French guest Anastasia Belkacemi said the policy made people want to go because they did not have to pay. “We feel like part of Asia that we can come in easily like Indonesia, no need visa,” Matteo Lelli, an Italian, said. Vietnam is among … [Read more...] about Foreign tourists happy with Vietnam’s visa exemption policy
Vietnam extends visa exemption for Europeans for another three years
Visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom will continue to receive visa exemptions for the next three years in Vietnam, officials said at a government press conference on Thursday. Vietnam first offered visa waivers for citizens from the five European countries in July 2015, and in the past the policy has been updated annually and would have expired at the end of June. However, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has yet to sign off on requests from tourism agencies to extend the visa-free duration from 15 to 30 days. Western Europeans are big spenders, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and shell out on average $1,316 per trip. In 2015, Vietnam welcomed 720,000 western European tourists. The number increased 19 percent in 2016 and doubled to 1.5 million in 2017. Visitors from these countries increased by 5.5-16.8 percent in the first four months of this year, accounting for 6.6 percent of all foreign arrivals to Vietnam, according to … [Read more...] about Vietnam extends visa exemption for Europeans for another three years
Vietnam extends visa exemption for Europeans with surprising three-year term
By Vy An  May 4, 2018 | 01:37 pm GMT+7 Foreign tourists enjoy the beach in Ha Long in northern Vietnam in April 2018. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Cuong The policy is usually renewed annually, and would have expired at the end of June. Visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom will continue to receive visa exemptions for the next three years in Vietnam. Vietnam first offered visa waivers for citizens from the five European countries in July 2015, and in the past the policy has been updated annually and would have expired at the end of June. However, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has yet to sign off on requests from tourism agencies to extend the visa-free duration from 15 to 30 days. Western Europeans are big spenders, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and shell out on average $1,316 per trip. In 2015, Vietnam welcomed 720,000 western European tourists. The number increased 19 percent in 2016 and doubled … [Read more...] about Vietnam extends visa exemption for Europeans with surprising three-year term
Strict visa policy limits tourist arrivals
VietNamNet Bridge - Visa waivers are used by many countries to attract tourists, but Vietnam has chosen to pursue a strict visa policy. Vietnam received 13 million foreign travelers in 2017 Reports show that complicated procedures and high visa fees are the major reasons behind the loss of billions of dollars in revenue in many countries. A report from the EU Parliament says the harsh visa policy may cause the loss of 250,000 jobs and 12.6 billion euros ($13.8 billion) to the EU economy. A British tourism expert estimates that because of difficulties in obtaining visas, $200 million worth of revenue from foreign travelers may fall into the hands of countries which apply loose visa policies, such as Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia. Vietnam is failing to attract travelers from many markets because of security reasons and fear of loss of revenue from visa fees. The fee to obtain a visa to Vietnam is at least $25. With 13 million foreign travelers to Vietnam in 2017, … [Read more...] about Strict visa policy limits tourist arrivals
First foreigners get electronic visa
First foreigners get electronic visaDao Loan HCMC - A number of foreign passport holders have obtained an electronic visa since it was launched on February 1, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Nguyen Quy Phuong, head of the Travel Department at VNAT, said at least 40 of 60 foreign applicants had received e-visa on the first three days of this month. The number of e-visa getters is increasing as the immigration agency is processing more applications. “The Ministry of Public Security is quickly processing visa applications by foreign passport holders,” Phuong told the Daily last Saturday. The pilot e-visa policy applies to residents of 40 countries for two years starting from February 1. As usual, foreigners can get visa within three working days after they submit all required documents but some have obtained it in just one working day. Phuong acknowledged that the slow operation of the website … [Read more...] about First foreigners get electronic visa
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
ROK to waive visa requirement for Vietnamese tourists during 2018 PyeongChang Olympic
Photo for illustration According to representative office of Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam, the policy has been approved by the Ministry of Justice of the RoK to attract international visitors to the country on the occasion of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games at PyeongChang, Jeongseon and Gangneung cities in Gangwon province. Together with Vietnam, tourists from the Philippines and Indonesia will also benefit from the policy. Accordingly, the visas called PyeongChang Olympic No B-2-94 have a maximum stay of 15 days. The designated travel companies register information and list groups of tourists entering through the Korea visa portal at https://www.visa.go.kr/. Vietnam is among the markets seeing the highest tourist growth in the RoK. In 2017, the land of kimchi greeted more than 323,000 tourist arrivals from Vietnam, a year-on-year rise of 28.8%./. BTA … [Read more...] about ROK to waive visa requirement for Vietnamese tourists during 2018 PyeongChang Olympic