Vietnam waives visas for five European countries to spur tourism

Vietnam waives visas for five European countries to spur tourism

Vietnam on Friday said it will waive visas for travellers from five more European countries including Britain and France as authorities move to boost the country's declining tourism industry.

Foreign tourists sit at the terrace of a bar overlooking a road in the old quarter of Hanoi. (Photo: AFP/Hoang Dinh Nam)

ENLARGECAPTION

HANOI: Vietnam on Friday (Jun 19) said it will waive visas for travellers from five more European countries including Britain and France as authorities move to boost the country's declining tourism industry.

Travellers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain will no longer need a visa to enter the communist nation from July 1 for stays of up to 15 days, according to a statement posted on the government's official website.

The visa waiver will apply to tourists and those travelling for business, said the statement signed off by the Vietnamese premier Thursday, in a scheme in place for one year after which it may be extended.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, international arrivals to the country in May were down by 14.4 percent compared to the same month last year.

The declining visitor numbers have triggered increasing concern in the Southeast Asian nation.

Last week Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam told state media foreigners were "scared" of travelling to the country and questioned why the scenic nation was lagging behind those such as Thailand in attracting tourists.

"When they see on the streets sellers preparing food with their bare hands, no plastic gloves, they are scared," he claimed, also citing begging and pickpocketing as factors deterring tourists.

Vietnam currently allows tourists to enter visa-free from Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Belarus, Russia, Japan and South Korea.

By comparison, Thailand allows tourists from dozens of countries to enter without a visa for up to 30 days.

According to government figures in the first five months of the year only 3.2 million people visited Vietnam, a drop of 12.6 percent against the same period last year.

- AFP/ec

Bài viết liên quan

	DPM introduces VN’s tourism to ABC News Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam on May 13 joined a live interview with the ABC News for its "Good Morning America" to introduce Viet Nam’s tourism. Detail >>

	Vietnam Festival in Japan to promote friendship The 2015 Vietnam Festival is scheduled to take place in Yoyogi park in Tokyo, Japan on June 13-14, as heard a press conference in the city on May 13. Detail >>

	Long Thanh folk show launched (TITC) – Cheo Ha Noi Theatre has launched a unique art performance which combines Cheo (Vietnamese Popular Theatre) and water puppetry to serve audiences. Detail >>

	Culture helps cement Viet Nam-Slovakia ties Viet Nam and Slovakia has signed a cultural cooperation agreement, which is in coincidence with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Detail >>

	Monsoon tourism of Cao Pha Valley Traditionally, the advent of the monsoon season has meant a sharp fall in the number of tourists-but that’s not true for the Cao Pha Valley located roughly 250km northwest of Ha Noi. Detail >>

	Exhibition on “Study and Follow Ho Chi Minh’s Moral Example” An exhibition entitled “Study and Follow Ho Chi Minh’s Moral Example” celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19) opened at the Exhibition House in Hanoi on May 15. Detail >>

	President Ho Chi Minh’s 125th birthday marked abroad The 125th birth anniversary of the late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19) is being celebrated in numerous countries across the world. Detail >>

	Son Doong Cave tops world’s incredible beauties Son Doong Cave in Viet Nam’s central Quang Binh ranked first in the list of the top 10 incredible beauties hidden in caves selected by a US travel advisory website. Detail >>

	An expedition to world’s largest cave Since the broadcast of En Cave and Son Doong Cave in the north-central coast province of Quang Binh on the ABC’s Good Morning America program last week, many people have been captivated by the spectacular images of Son Doong. Detail >>

	Visit Ha Long Bay of the hills With its gigantic landscape and precious natural resources, Na Hang Eco-Tourism Zone in the highland district of the northern province of Tuyen Quang has become a popular tourism destination. Detail >>

« First « Previous 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 Next »« Last Page 20 of 29

Most popurlar tours

Video

Day & Short Tours