The Hanoitimes - In the implementation of more favourable policies, Vietnam will pilot granting electronic visas for international visitors in 2017 and 2018, Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) unveiled at a recent press conference in Hanoi. Accordingly, from January 1, 2017, procedures for applying and payment will be done online. It will take 3 days to process application for an e-visa valid for 30 days. The visa does not require letters of guarantee or invitation. The move reflects the Government’s efforts to stimulate tourism, according to VNAT Director Nguyen Van Tuan. It will facilitate the application for a Vietnamese visa of foreign tourists, Tuan noted, adding that the tourism sector is still looking forwards to the implementation of more favourable policies, particularly in waiving visa for foreign tourists. Foreign tourists visit Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi capital. Photo by Hong Hanh. VNAT Director Nguyen Van Tuan … [Read more...] about Vietnam to pilot electronic visa from January 1, 2017
Vietnam 3 month tourist visa
Vietnam plans to extend visa validity for US tourists from 3 months to 1 year: report
Vietnam's government is working on a plan to extend the validity of tourist visa for US citizens from three months to one year in a bid to attract more arrivals, Vietnam News Agency reported. The report, however, did not indicate any timeframe. It quoted tourism minister Hoang Tuan Anh as saying at a meeting with the US State Department on Monday that Vietnam aims to bring the annual number of US arrivals to one million by 2017. Last year US arrivals hit 443,776, up nearly 3 percent from 2013. Currently, a general tourist visa to Vietnam for US citizens is valid for 30 or 90 days, with single or multiple entries. Between January and July this year, Vietnam attracted 301,907 US tourists. Tuan also said the United States has become the largest foreign investor in Vietnam's tourism sector over the last few years. Vietnam is easing its visa policy this year as it tries to boost the tourism sector after consecutive declines in arrivals. It has recently offered visa waivers to five … [Read more...] about Vietnam plans to extend visa validity for US tourists from 3 months to 1 year: report
Investigative leads in Sestak’s visa-for-money scam
From a confidential letter sent to the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City last year, US State Department investigators have obtained investigative leads in their investigation of Sestak's visa-for-money scam in Vietnam.>> Visa bribery case: how did ex-US officer make money?>> US officer takes bribes from Vietnamese seeking visas In July 2012, the Consulate received a letter from a confidential source that claimed that a "facilitator" was soliciting bribes from applicants in exchange for the issuance of U.S. visas, according to Simon Dinits, a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) of the US Department of State. In the letter, the source claimed that between May 20, 2012, and early July 2012, between 50 and 70 people from a specific village in Vietnam had obtained U.S. visas by way of a fraudulent visa scheme. The source claimed that one could pay $55,000 in order to be guaranteed a tourist visa to the United States. The letter included the … [Read more...] about Investigative leads in Sestak’s visa-for-money scam
Boosting trade between Vietnam, Pakistan and Turkey
(VEN) - Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Duong Quang spoke with Pakistani Ambassador to Vietnam Shahid M.G. Kiani and Turkish Ambassador to Vietnam Ahmed Akif Oktay on September 27, regarding measures to further boost economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam, Pakistan and Turkey. … [Read more...] about Boosting trade between Vietnam, Pakistan and Turkey
Over 24,000 unlicensed foreign workers in Vietnam
The number of foreigners working in Vietnam as of July 2012 is more than 77,000, of whom over 24,000 have no work permits, said Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen. The minister released the figures at yesterday Q-A session of the ongoing meeting of the National Assembly. … [Read more...] about Over 24,000 unlicensed foreign workers in Vietnam