(VEN) - Vietnam’s tourism industry is working hard to attract more European tourists, offering e-visas for tourists from 40 countries and visa exemptions for tourists from Eastern Europe. The number of European visitors to Vietnam grows annually Huge development potential In 2018, Vietnam welcomed 15.4 million foreign visitors (up 19.9 percent from 2017), including two million Europeans. Europe is an important part of Vietnam’s tourism promotion strategy, and the number of European visitors to the country has increased annually. Apart from such big markets as France, Germany, and the UK, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has organized promotion programs in potential markets such as Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Although it has increased yearly, the number of visitors from the Czech Republic remains modest - about 17,000 tourist arrivals in 2017. Tourism promotion is an effective way to attract more Czech … [Read more...] about Promoting Vietnamese European tourism
Vietnamese visa requirements
Vietnamese PM meets with foreign leaders in Davos
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had bilateral meetings with many foreign leaders and business executives on January 24 (local time) on the sidelines of the annual conference of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2019 in Davos. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (blue tie) and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab witness the signing of an agreement between the WEF and Vietnam on building a centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Vietnamese PM attended the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) under the theme The World in the Age of Globilization 4.0, and held a reception for Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Professor Klaus Schwab. The two then witnessed the signing of an agreement between the WEF and Vietnam on building a centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and a letter of intent on developing initiatives for plastic waste treatment. At a bilateral meeting with Dutch Queen Maxima who is the UN Secretary General’s Special … [Read more...] about Vietnamese PM meets with foreign leaders in Davos
Vietnamese woman arrested in France for drug trafficking claims identity theft
Pham Thi Tuyet Mai, 34, said she was apprehended by French border police on December 18 last year at the Charles de Gaulle airport when she and her boyfriend were traveling from Vietnam to Malta to visit the his family. Her arrest, as per the European Arrest Warrant, was ordered by a judicial court in Antwerpen, Belgium back in 2013, in which it sought to execute a four-year sentence for drug trafficking between October 1, 2010 and May 10, 2011, according to a press release by the Vietnamese foreign ministry. Mai was allowed bail by a Parisian court of appeal a day after her arrest, but was ordered to hand over all identification documents and not allowed to leave the country. A second trial is expected to begin early February. Mai is now residing in a hotel in Paris with her boyfriend, awaiting the next trial. Identity theft suspected Mai has denied all charges against her and said she had sufficient evidence to prove her innocence. Pham Thi Tuyet Mai is seen in a photo she supplied … [Read more...] about Vietnamese woman arrested in France for drug trafficking claims identity theft
Vietnamese expats in Hong Kong, Macau gather for Tet celebrations
At the celebration in Hong Kong (Photo: VNA) Hong Kong (VNA) – Overseas Vietnamese in China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region gathered to welcome Lunar New Year (Tet) at a celebration held by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau on January 20. Vietnamese Consul General Tran Thanh Huan informed attendees of Vietnam’s socio-economic development as well as diplomatic achievements in 2018, saying they were significantly contributed to by Vietnamese expatriates worldwide, including those in Hong Kong. The Vietnamese Party and Government attach much importance to overseas Vietnamese’s role in national construction and protection, he said. He highlighted the Vietnam-Hong Kong ties, saying the two economies have enjoyed thriving relations over the years, with two-way trade reaching 19.8 billion USD in 2018, up 9.4 percent from the previous year. Hong Kong is the 6th largest investor in Vietnam, with 19.3 billion USD in 1,401 projects in … [Read more...] about Vietnamese expats in Hong Kong, Macau gather for Tet celebrations
Hong Kong grants visa exemption to Vietnamese diplomats
Illustrative image (Source: CNN) Hong Kong (VNA) - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China has exempted Vietnamese diplomatic and official passport holders from visa requirements in the territory for 14 days. According to Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong Tran Thanh Huan, the decision, which takes effect from January 17, is consistent with the fruitful development of relations between Vietnam and Hong Kong, particularly in migration issues. It not only facilitates Vietnamese officials when working in Hong Kong, but also contributes to strengthening exchanges between the two sides. It is hoped that in the future, the Hong Kong administration will consider making it easier for Vietnamese people, especially workers and students, to receive visas, Huan said. Hong Kong has long used strict mechanisms in visa procedures for Vietnamese passport holders. However, in recent years, in the context of the development of economic, trade, investment and tourism … [Read more...] about Hong Kong grants visa exemption to Vietnamese diplomats
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
Japan, South Korea most lucrative for Vietnamese workers
A Vietnamese migrant worker can make $1,000 to $1,200 a month in Japan and South Korea, four times the average monthly salary in Vietnam, which was VND6.5 million ($290) last year. The average wage that Taiwanese employers pay to Vietnamese workers is around $700- $800 a month; and $400-$600 in the Middle East, the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for Social Affairs reported at a conference last week. The attractive salaries have made Japan and South Korea the largest export labor markets for Vietnam and witnessed the fastest growth in recent years among Vietnamese citizens going abroad to work. Last year, 54,504 Vietnamese workers went to Japan, a 36.5 percent increase from a year ago, ranking second in the list of countries and territories receiving Vietnamese migrants workers after Taiwan, according to official reports. South Korea, meanwhile, continues to be a promising job market for Vietnamese after the South Korean government re-launched its Employment Permit System … [Read more...] about Japan, South Korea most lucrative for Vietnamese workers
Visa waiver extended for Western European visitors
Visa waiver extended for Western European visitorsBy Dao Loan French tourists are seen in HCMC. The visa waiver for five Western European countries has been extended for three years starting early this month - PHOTO: DAO LOAN HCMC – The visa waiver for visitors from five Western European countries has been extended for three years starting early this month. Tourists from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy are exempt from Vietnam entry visas until June 30, 2021 for stays of up to 15 days. Tourism firms expect the visa exemption will help bring in more Western European tourists, who tend to have long stays in the country and spend more US$1,400-1,600 per trip per person. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is planning tourism marketing programs for Western European markets, with the visa waiver to be used as a leverage. To carry out the programs, the administration is working with the International Cooperation Department, the Vietnam … [Read more...] about Visa waiver extended for Western European visitors
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