
HCMC TARGETS VND160,000-BILLION REVENUE FROM TOURISM IN 2023
The HCMC Department of Tourism expects the city to attract 40 million tourists, including five million foreigners, and earn around VND160,000 billion from tourism services this year. The HCMC Department of Tourism expects the city to attract 40 million tourists, including five million foreigners, and earn around VND160,000 billion from tourism services this year.

VNA RESUMES AIR SERVICE TO HONG KONG
Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has reopened regular flights between the capital city of Hanoi and Hong Kong to meet the high travel demand. The national flag carrier will operate two weekly flights on the Hanoi-Hong Kong route on Wednesdays and Sundays. The frequency will be increased to three flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays from December 26.

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WARNS OF ILLEGAL E-VISA APPLICATION WEBSITES
The e-visa fee of US$25 as regulated by the Ministry of Finance, should be paid via the electronic payment gateway, the department noted, as there are a number of businesses and individuals who publish false information on some websites and social networks to seek to gain illegal profits from e-visas issuance.

RELAXING VISA POLICY TO ATTRACT MORE FOREIGN TOURISTS: INSIDERS
Although the country has offered unilateral visa exemption and e-visas, the policy is not competitive enough as the 15-day visa exemption has yet to satisfy the need of visitors from such markets as Europe, North America and Australia, who often stay from three to four weeks in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).

FOREIGN ARRIVALS TO VIETNAM SURGE IN FIVE MONTHS OF 2022
Foreign arrivals to Vietnam surged in the first five months of this year.

VIETNAM TO USE NEW PASSPORTS FROM JULY 1
The Ministry of Public Security will issue new-style passports from July 1, 2022

DETAILED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO VIETNAM
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued Document No. 829/PA-BVHTTDL on its plan to reopen the tourism sector in the new normal. Regulations on the reception of international visitors to Vietnam under the document are now much easier than previous proposals submitted by relevant agencies.

HCM CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS MEDICAL CHECKS FOR AIR PASSENGERS NO LONGER NEEDED
The HCM City Department of Health wants to stop COVID-19 checks for passengers arriving at Tân Sơn Nhất international airport to ease congestion at the country’s largest airport and made the recommendation to the HCM City Centre for Disease Control.