HSBC Vietnam receives the Visa Global Service Quality Performance Awards for having the highest international authorisation approval rate for consumer credit in 2017. Photo courtesy of HSBC Vietnam Viet Nam News HCM CITY — HSBC Vietnam has received the top honour from the Visa Global Service Quality Performance Awards for having the highest international authorisation approval rate for consumer credit in 2017. It is the first bank in Việt Nam to receive this global award from the card company. Visa determined HSBC Vietnam to be the leader by tallying the total international approval count on top of the total international authorisation request count. The award is one of the most prestigious in global banking. Sabbir Ahmed, head of retail banking and wealth management at the bank, said: “This is a historic first not just for HSBC Vietnam, but the country — no issuing bank from Việt Nam has ever previously been honoured by Visa’s … [Read more...] about HSBC Vietnam wins global award from Visa
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E-visa scheme to be extended by 2 years
Visitors to Củ Chi Underground Tunnels in HCM City’s Củ Chi District. — Photo courtersy of Zing.vnViet Nam News HCM CITY — The Vietnamese government has approved a two-year extension of the pilot e-visa issuance programme for foreigners visiting the country. The policy, launched on February 1 last year, benefitting travellers from 40 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, the US, Germany, and Sweden, was scheduled to expire next February. Applicants can get a 30-day, single-entry e-visa for a tourist or business trip by paying a US$25 application fee online. Applicants are required to complete a form available on two separate websites (one in Vietnamese and the other in English) run by the Ministry of Public Security. They will receive an application code and be asked to pay a non-refundable fee online. Visitors with e-visas can enter the country at any of Việt Nam’s eight international airports, including in HCM … [Read more...] about E-visa scheme to be extended by 2 years
US revokes Saudi visas in first action over Khashoggi
WASHINGTON — The United States said on Tuesday it was revoking visas of Saudis involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as President Donald Trump ridiculed the kingdom’s response as "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. The move came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudis’ Istanbul consulate had been meticulously planned, in a speech that overshadowed a long-planned investment forum in Riyadh. Saudi leaders have denied involvement in the killing, pushing responsibility down the chain of command. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "strongly said that he had nothing to do with this, this was at a lower level," US President Donald Trump said, adding he had spoken Monday to the prince and his father King Salman. Trump said the Saudis had a "very bad original concept" in killing the 59-year-old Saudi insider-turned-critic. "It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the … [Read more...] about US revokes Saudi visas in first action over Khashoggi
Vietnam extends e-visa policy for foreign tourists until 2021
The Vietnamese government has approved a two-year extension of the pilot e-visa issuance program for foreigners visiting the country. The policy was launched on February 1, 2017, allowing citizens from 40 countries to apply for electronic visas. These countries included major tourism markets of China, Japan, South Korea, the U.S, the U.K, Germany and Sweden. Last year, visitors from six countries, Australia, India, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the U.A.E were added to the list. The e-visa application scheme was scheduled to expire next February, but has been extended now. As of August 31 this year, more than 241,000 foreign tourists have entered Vietnam with e-visas, according to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). The policy allows foreigners to apply for a 30-day, single-entry e-visa for holidays or business trips by paying a $25 application fee online. Applicants are required to complete a form available on two separate websites (one in … [Read more...] about Vietnam extends e-visa policy for foreign tourists until 2021
E-visa programme extended by two years
Foreign visitors enjoy their holidays in Hà Nội’s Old Quarter. The National Assembly decided to extend the E-visa programme by two years. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh HàViet Nam News HÀ NỘI – The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Tuesday extended the e-visa programme for foreign visitors to Việt Nam for another two years. On November 22, 2016, the NA launched the pilot programme, which was scheduled to last until February 1, 2019. According to a report, between February 2017 and August 31, 2018, Việt Nam approved 298,113 e-visas, of which 298,507 were self-submitted and 8,606 by sponsoring organisations. As of August 31, 241,875 e-visa holders had entered Việt Nam. Presenting the Government’s report on the implementation of the programme, Deputy Minister of Public Security Lê Quý Vương said the outcomes showed the policy helped draw foreigners to Việt Nam for tourism and investment, … [Read more...] about E-visa programme extended by two years