Visa kicked off its seventh financial literacy programme in Vietnam The programme will feature a series of “Financial Football” interactive videogame tournaments held at universities across the country from April to June 2018. Being developed by Visa, Financial Football is a fast-paced game where students must answer rapid-fire questions related to budgeting, saving, and spending in order to make their way up the field and score. The game makes use of high-quality graphics, speedy rules, and a competitive format to help participants learn about the ins and outs of financial management. Sean Preston, Visa country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, talking at the event Starting with the launching event in Hanoi, the Financial Football tour will make its way to five universities in Haiphong, Danang, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Can Tho. The events will be more than just gaming tournaments as each event will also include entertainment performances as well as … [Read more...] about Visa’s imaginative financial literacy programme: Financial Football
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HCMC proposes expansion of 30-day visa-free travel to 2023
The association submitted a document to relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the People’s Committee of HCMC and the HCMC Department of Tourism. According to proposal, the removal of visa requirements for citizens from the U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain will have a valid period extended to June 30, 2023, as the current policy is due to expire on June 30 this year. The association also suggested that visitors of these countries may enter Vietnam without a visa for a period up to 30 calendar days. The previous visa-free period, implemented in 2015, was 15 days. The visa waiver program is expected to be launched for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Austria, Netherlands and Belgium. By THI HONG – Translated by Kim Khanh Tags: expansion of 30-day visa-free travel to 2023 proposal on extending visa exemption Western Europe tourists removal of visa requirements visa … [Read more...] about HCMC proposes expansion of 30-day visa-free travel to 2023
HCMC proposes visa exemption extension
The visa waiver programme for five European countries will expire at the end of June. It remains unclear if the Government will extend the visa waiver, causing uncertainty to the tourism industry and making it difficult for tourism agencies to develop marketing plans for these markets, the association said. The visa waiver for tourists which began in mid-2015 has helped increase the number of foreign visitor arrivals. The association has asked the government to approve exemptions for five years instead of renewals every year, and to increase the maximum stay to 30 days from the current 15. The association chairwoman, Nguyễn Thị Khánh, also asked the government to exempt visas from other countries, including from key markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Austria, Netherlands, and Belgium. Arrivals from these markets have risen sharply, with many people taking a long vacation and spending a lot, Khánh said. Visa waivers for … [Read more...] about HCMC proposes visa exemption extension
HCM City proposes visa exemption extension
Foreign tourists enjoy a cyclo tour in HCM City (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - The HCM City Tourism Association has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on further extension of visa exemption for tourists coming from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. The visa waiver programme for the five European countries will expire at the end of June. It remains unclear if the Government will extend the visa waiver, causing uncertainty to the tourism industry and making it difficult for tourism agencies to develop marketing plans for these markets, the association said. The visa waiver for tourists, which began in mid-2015, has helped increase the number of foreign visitor arrivals. The association has asked the government to approve exemptions for five years instead of making renewal every year, and to increase the maximum stay to 30 days from the current 15. The association chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Khanh, also asked the government to … [Read more...] about HCM City proposes visa exemption extension
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