Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in … [Read more...] about A quiet Vietnamese visa run (part 2)
Vietnamese visa on arrival
Vietnam drags feet on visa reforms
Government unlikely to relax visa regime, allowing other nations to get ahead in attracting visitors Foreign tourists stroll down a street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam Business Forum said in its annual report released this week that there has been 'no progress' in ushering in a transparent, open, and effective visa-on-arrival system in Vietnam, warning the country's failure to streamline its visa procedures will see it fall further behind its neighbors in wooing visitors. Photo by Hong Ky Vietnam's failure to act on its rhetoric about simplifying its visa procedures, including those relating to visa-on-arrival, will see it fall further behind its neighbors in wooing visitors, a business grouping has warned. The Vietnam Business Forum, a consortium of international and local business associations and chambers of commerce, said in its annual report released last week that there has been "no progress" in ushering in a transparent, open, and effective visa-on-arrival … [Read more...] about Vietnam drags feet on visa reforms
Fifteen-day transit visa a small step forward for tourism sector
Viet Nam News asked readers for their opinions on the new regulation that allows transit passengers to stay in Viet Nam for up to 15 days, which might be long enough for a tour around the country at a more economical cost compared to tourist visas. Here are some of the responses. Jim Luke, Hawaii, HCM City I'm a retired airline employee from an international air carrier and there are several problems with this new regulation. Let's start with your first question, "How do you welcome the new regulation?" Answer. With some trepidation. How long will this last? Who will determine what the definition of "transit" is? For the second question, my answer is no. But, I have found after several years working in the reservations department of my employer as an international reservations agent, passengers planning an around the world trip will normally have side trips included. But for the average passenger, all they want to do is go from point A to C and if the layover in point B is very … [Read more...] about Fifteen-day transit visa a small step forward for tourism sector
Vietnam drags feet on single visa for Mekong region
Higher fees, complicated procedures makes it easier for foreign tourists to choose other Southeast Asian nations A foreign tourist leaves a travel agency in the backpackers' area in Ho Chi Minh City. Experts say expensive visa fees and complicated procedures are among factors influencing the choice of foreign travelers to visit Vietnam. Photo by Tuan Anh Imagine being able to explore the extensive network of caves in Laos, visit ancient pagodas in Myanmar and eat spicy street food in Thailand before going into Cambodia and cruising the Mekong in Vietnam - all on a single tourist visa. The tourism windfall that would follow such facilitation has authorities and travel agencies in all countries all agog - with the exception of Vietnamese officialdom, that is. Travel agencies have been pushing for a one-visa policy that would enable tourists to travel freely across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. But for all the enthusiasm among its neighbors, Vietnam is likely to … [Read more...] about Vietnam drags feet on single visa for Mekong region
Visa waiver could go
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering overturning its policy of allowing visitors from certain countries to enter Vietnam without a visa Foreign tourists stroll down a street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam National Association of Tourism has urged the government not to overturn a visa waiver that allows visitors from seven Asian and European countries to enter the country without visas. The government may no longer waive the need for visas for nationals of seven Asian and European countries, and experts are worried the move could hurt tourism that has been booming despite the economic downturn. The Vietnam National Association of Tourism has urged the government not to do so, its chairman, Nguyen Huu Tho, told Vietweek on Monday (April 15), and is hopeful it would pay heed. Between 2004 and 2009 Vietnam unilaterally waived visas for single-entry visits of up to 15 days for Danish, Finnish, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, South Korean, and Swedish … [Read more...] about Visa waiver could go