Belarus’s five-day visa exemption policy applied to citizens of 80 countries, including Vietnam, took effect on February 12. People at the Octyabrskaya square in Minsk, Belerus Among 80 countries benefiting from the policy are 39 European countries as well as Brazil, Indonesia, the United States and Japan. Citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia and Samoa must have a valid multiple visa to any EU member state or Schengen country with a mark about the entry into their territory, as well as tickets confirming leave from Minsk National Airport within five days from the date of entry. Belarus visa-free travel does not applies to persons coming to Belarus with flights from Russia and intending to fly to Russia. The number of tourist arrivals to Belarus is expected to increase by 20 percent this year. Last year, 3 million people visited the country. Theo VNA … [Read more...] about Belarus launches short term visa exemption to Vietnamese citizens
Vietnam india visa on arrival
Vietnam mulls lifting midnight curfew to pull in more tourists
Vietnam's Tourism Association has submitted a proposal to the government asking for recreational establishments to be allowed to stay open until 2 a.m. The proposal comes ahead of the 2017 Prime Minister with Enterprises Conference that will take place on May 17. The new proposal is expected to help pull in more foreign tourists - Photo by VnExpress Some localities still ban establishments such as nightclubs and karaoke bars from opening past midnight. This regulation limits their businesses and makes it impossible for them to entertain many foreign tourists who want to party on into the night, according to the association. Under the new proposal, these establishments would be allowed to open until at least 2 a.m., encouraging foreign tourists to stay longer and spend more. Hanoi launched a pilot scheme last September that allows restaurants and bars in Hoan Kiem District to stay open until 2 a.m. over the weekends. The association has also asked the government to extend … [Read more...] about Vietnam mulls lifting midnight curfew to pull in more tourists
Nhandan Newspaper – Vietnam, India seek to strengthen tourism ties
The diplomat made the statement at a conference on Vietnam-India tourism cooperation in Hanoi on March 7, which was part of activities in celebration of 45 years of bilateral diplomatic ties (January 7, 1972-2017) and 10 years of the strategic partnership between the two countries (2007-2017). The number of Indian tourists to Vietnam recorded an impressive growth over recent years, from 33,000 in 2010 to 85,000 in 2016, up 30% against 2015, but only accounted for about 3% of Indian arrivals to ASEAN countries, he said. The Indian government has applied electronic visas to a number of international tourist markets, including Vietnam, the ambassador noted, expressing his wish that with convenient visa application procedures, more Vietnamese people will choose India as an ideal travel destination. Addressing the event, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong emphasised that Vietnam-India tourism ties have been growing strongly over … [Read more...] about Nhandan Newspaper – Vietnam, India seek to strengthen tourism ties
Visa exemption: key factor to boost international arrivals
Hanoi (VNA) â Visa exemption policy is one of the leading factors behind the growing number of international visitors, particularly those from Western Europe, to Vietnam this year, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). The numbers of tourists from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, the five countries enjoying the 15-day visa exemption, have grown between 13.8 and 30.1 percent since the policy was applied in July 2015, compared to an average 5.35 percent growth recorded in 2010-2014. The VNAT said visa exemption has been a global trend with the rate of tourists required to have visas to get access to global destinations reducing from 77 percent in 2008 to 61 percent in 2015. Vietnamâs neighbouring countries also use visa exemption to attract more visitors. Indonesia has exempted visa for citizens of 169 countries; the Philippines, 165; Malaysia, 164; Singapore, 160; Thailand, 61; Laos, 40; and Cambodia, 25. Vietnam have exempted … [Read more...] about Visa exemption: key factor to boost international arrivals
UK newspaper dubs Vietnam a safe place to visit
U.K.-based newspaper the Telegraph has classed Vietnam as a pretty safe country to travel to in a recent survey, but highlighted the risks traffic accidents pose to visitors. On Tuesday the newspaper released a series of graphics that remap the world in a wide range of perspectives, from gun ownership, energy consumption and criminal executions, to happiness, obesity and Miss World competitions. Vietnam was one of the countries listed as "safe to visit”. Asian neighbors such as India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand were considered "not completely safe", with the U.K.’s Foreign Office advising against traveling to parts of these countries. The report named Vietnam, together with Japan, Bolivia, Ecuador and five European countries, as destinations with a “low” terror threat. More than 30 countries received a "high" terror threat rating, including holiday favorites such as Spain and France, as well as popular Southeast Asian countries … [Read more...] about UK newspaper dubs Vietnam a safe place to visit
Vietnam urged to consider visa-free travel for Australian, Indian tourists
Vietnam should extend its visa waiver program for tourists from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K., and consider adding India and Australia to the list soon, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association has suggested. The country has offered single-entry visa exemptions to citizens of these five European countries since mid-2015. The relaxed visa policy, which allows the eligible visitors to stay up to 15 days in Vietnam, is expected to expire by the end of this July. “We suggest the government continue to extend the policy, at least through June 2018,” Nguyen Khanh Phuong, vice chairwoman of the tourism association in Ho Chi Minh City, told the Saigon Times. She said the government should make the decision soon so that the industry can have enough time to get ready for any policy change. The government should also waive visa requirements for tourists from other potential feeder markets, including Australia and India, Phuong said. Currently Vietnam is also … [Read more...] about Vietnam urged to consider visa-free travel for Australian, Indian tourists
Social 9/1
Cao Bang's last remote commune accesses power Son Lap commune in Bao Lac district has become the last commune in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang to access electricity from the national power grid. Total investment for the project to supply power to the remote commune is VND23.83 billion (US$1.05 million). The project includes 6.738km of 35kV middle-voltage transmission line, three transformer stations with a total capacity of 300kVA, and 9,379km of low-voltage line. Located about 140km from Cao Bang city, Son Lap commune covers over 4,000 hectares with many high rocky mountains. Its residents are mostly from ethnic minority groups, including Mong, Dao, Tay and Nung. The majority of local households are poor, with backward customs and low literacy. The project, invested by the Electricity of Vietnam's Northern Power Corporation (EVN NPC), is expected to improve socio-economic situation in the localities, while enhancing political-social awareness of locals. Hanoi plans … [Read more...] about Social 9/1
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 27/11
Vietnam attends International Pepper Community’s annual meeting Vietnamese agricultural officials and business people joined over 250 representatives from leading pepper export countries worldwide at the 43rd Annual Session of the International Pepper Community (IPC), which took place in Karnataka state, India from November 22-26. The event was jointly organised by the IPC, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Spices Board to discuss prospects and headwinds facing world pepper growers and traders. The participants focused their attention on pepper consumption and stocks, pepper prices and market situation as well as measures to stabilise markets. Specialised talks were also held on pepper cultivating techniques, processing and preservation technology, and regulations on food hygiene and safety. On the occasion, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam, who was accompanied by 14 Vietnamese large pepper businesses, met with … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 27/11
Social News 22/9
Vietnam promotes tourism in France A programme with the theme of "Hanoi - the cradle of cultural heritage" has been held in Paris in an effort to introduce Hanoi's and Vietnam's cultural essence as well as recent tourism policies. The event began with a screening of a video on the beauty of Vietnam and its people, followed by performances of Quan Ho folk singing and traditional musical instruments. Speaking at the ceremony on September 20, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son highlighted the position and importance of the tourism sector in Vietnam's economy. The sector attracted eight million tourists in 2015 and targets to welcome 11 million by 2020, making up seven percent of the country's gross domestic product. He said Vietnam's efforts in recent years, including the 15-day visa exemption policy and the use of A350 plane on the Hanoi/HCM City-Paris route, made it more convenient for tourists to visit Vietnam. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of … [Read more...] about Social News 22/9
EVENTS IN HANOI, HCM CITY ON MARCH 1-15
Cine Sessions at Cinematheque Thu 01 Mar 2012, 8.30 - 10.30 pm Cinematheque 22A Hai Ba Trung Str, Hanoi CINE SESSIONS is back with its eclectic mix of homegrown and traveling musicians. ALWAYS, known for their Hanoi infused Electro-Acoustic sets, will be performing together with XUEER, a Singer- Pianist backpacking through Asia. Entrance: 50 000 VND.Jazz Concert with Franck Amsallem IDECAF, 28 Le Thanh Ton, Distr 1, HCMC Come to a jazz concert with Franck Amsallem. He has produced 8 album, lived 20 years in the US and guided famous musicians like Gerry Mulligan, Charles Lloyd or Joshua Redman, Maria Schneider and Harry Belafonte. The artist also had a performance in Hanoi on 08 Mar. He plays both classic and modern Jazz. Some of the well known pieces such as"I got Rhythm" or 'Summer times' bring great pleasure and inspiration to listeners. Franck Amsallem has learnt from famous musicians who he's met with during his time living on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean on the … [Read more...] about EVENTS IN HANOI, HCM CITY ON MARCH 1-15