Want to be in the loop?
subscribe to
our notification
Business News
VIETNAM TOURISM ASSOCIATION PROPOSES TO EXPAND VISA EXEMPTION PROGRAMME
The Vietnam Tourism Association has proposed to continue visa exemptions for Western European tourists to boost tourism. According to the Vietnam Tourism Association, in order to implement the government's resolution to turn tourism into Vietnam's key sector, visa exemptions should be continued for visitors from major tourist markets.
The association said they had received requests from tourism firms and local tourism associations to continue visa exemptions for tourists from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belarus and the UK for five years.
They also suggested exempting visas for visitors from India, Australia, Canada, and countries in Eastern Europe including Poland, Czech, Bulgaria and Hungary, as well as former Soviet countries.
Vu The Binh, the association's vice chairman, said it was competitive as neighbouring countries all have open visa policies.
"Expanding visa exemptions is a common trend.
Thailand exempts visa for tourists from 61 countries, Malaysia exempts visa for 155 countries and in Singapore, it's 158. Meanwhile, we have only exempted visa for 22 countries," he said.
Tourism firms said since the visa exemption programme only lasted for one year, they didn't dare spend too much on promotion. Normally, their short-term plans last from three to five years and over five years for long-term plans. The one-year visa exemption has only attracted independent tourists as firms await a more stable policy.
Tran Thi Viet Huong from Vietravel said most European tourists plan their vacations six months to a year in advance while the programme would end this June. This will affect their decision-making about holidays next year.
Le Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of the International Co-operation Department of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said they had suggested extended the programme to five years and raise the standard length of stay for tourist visas from 15 to 30 days during meetings with other agencies.
"Resolution 8 on developing tourism states that pilot programmes can be carried out for urgent matters that don't have their own regulations yet. This suits the tourism sector which includes many other sectors. Thanks to it that the e-visa programme was piloted quickly in February," Anh said.
The number of visitors from Europe dramatically increased after the visa exemption was introduced. In the first quarter, the number of visitors from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK reached 240,000, an increase of 12% compared to same period last year.
The growth rates from Spain were 23%, 13% from Italy, 13% from Germany, 11% from France and 9% from the UK.
Vu The Binh, the Vietnam Tourism Association's vice chairman, emphasised that the e-visa was different programme and they still needed to expand the visa exemption programme.
Source: VIR
Related News
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN LOGISTICS – A KEY TO UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE E-COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Accelerating digital transformation in logistics is critical in order to promote the sustainable development of e-commerce, a conference on applying technology held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade heard on Thursday, as well as accelerating overall economic growth.
SOILBUILD EXTENDS ITS HORIZONS INTO VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE
Soilbuild Group, an integrated real estate group, has broadened its investment in industrial real estate to Vietnam through its Soilbuild International division. The official launch of Soilbuild International (Vietnam) took place in Hanoi on May 9th, 2024, and was attended by esteemed guests, including domestic and international partners.
SEMINAR: BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT - THE HONG KONG-INSPIRED PRESENCE NESTLED IN THE HEART OF HANOI'S EAST
16h00 - 18h00, Wednesday (May 22nd, 2024)Almaz Convention Center - Hanoi (GG map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YtWyGgkiTwWvFnfX6)
VIETNAM SECURES REMARKABLE ECONOMIC SUCCESSES SINCE NATIONAL REUNIFICATION
Since the national reunification on April 30, 1975, Vietnam has obtained admirable economic achievements and is now on its way to become the 20th largest economy in the world. Back to 1975, Vietnam, torn by two major wars, was a backward economy dependent on agriculture and foreign assistance. Foreign loans and aid accounted for over 63 percent of its budget.
350 EXHIBITORS TO TAKE PART IN HCM CITY PAPER, COATINGS, RUBBER, PLASTIC EXPOS
They will have a total display area of 10,000sq.m, 30 per cent more than last year, and the participation of over 350 local and international exhibitors who will showcase thousands of products and technologies.
INT’L INVESTORS EYE VIETNAM’S DATA CENTER MARKET – REPORT
Vietnam’s data center market is increasingly attractive to foreign investors, driven by the country’s expanding digital economy, rising data consumption, and supportive government policies, said a new report by JLL. While Vietnam’s data center sector has traditionally been dominated by local telecommunications companies, global players are now entering the market.