Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s visa policy should be more open to lure international tourists , insiders have said. 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). Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said the ministry should propose the Government instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expand the list of countries and territories qualified for visa exemption and e-visa, and restore visa granting at border gates. She also suggested simplifying visa procedures for visitors who get infected with COVID-19 during their stay in Vietnam and undergo treatment in the Southeast Asian nation. The … [Read more...] about Relaxing visa policy to attract more foreign tourists: insiders
Chinese tourists in thailand
Phu Quoc, WWF-Vietnam launch plastic waste reduction model at tourist destinations
The model is expected to be gradually replicated in other entertainment venues in the city after its initial success. The Phu Quoc District People’s Committee and WWF-Vietnam launched a model project of reducing plastic waste at tourist destinations, as part of the drive to become a plastic-free island. The launch of tourist trash cans is expected to encourage the habit of sorting and disposing of garbage on-site. Photo: VOV Under the project, there are 12 sets of tourist trash cans and two public drinking water fountains have been made available in some venues on the island, of which four trash cans were installed in Dinh Cau Temple and Bach Dang Park, and another eight were placed in Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Ward, with a total cost of nearly VND800 million (US$34,296) sponsored by WWF-Vietnam. Dinh Cau Temple and Bach Dang Park are among the most favorite destinations for tourists and locals, so these places receive the largest amount of single-use … [Read more...] about Phu Quoc, WWF-Vietnam launch plastic waste reduction model at tourist destinations
16th International Travel Expo of HCM City to open on September 8
This year's expo, with the theme “Growing Forward Together,” will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. It is expected to provide a great opportunity for Vietnamese travel agencies to recover and develop after the COVID-19 pandemic while connecting them with international partners and customers. 1,500 international delegates from travel agencies and brands, airlines, hotels, and resorts both at home and abroad have registered to attend the expo. Currently, the expo has 260 registered booths, and 210 among them are from foreign countries. The organizers have invited 160 international partners from 18 countries and territories such as the U.S., Australia, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Romania, Poland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Thailand, and Singapore to join this year’s event. Within the framework of the expo, there will also be a high-level conference on tourism development policy with the participation of representatives of … [Read more...] about 16th International Travel Expo of HCM City to open on September 8
Export growth may be slower than expected in H2: HSBC
Exports increased 17% year on year in the first half of 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam saw a year-on-year increase of 17% in exports in the first six months, but it will be hard for overseas shipments to meet expectations in the last half of the year, according to the HSBC . In its “Vietnam at a glance” report released on August 17, it said after the impressive export growth in H1, a slower-than-expected pace has been recorded since the start of H2. The main cause is a growth slowdown in the electronics industry, especially mobile phones. Samsung’s second-quarter results show that demand for consumer electronics is weakening, thus affecting the smartphone, TV, and other segments. While textile, garment and footwear exports rose sharply, by 30% from a year earlier, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association forecast the amount ordered will decline in the time ahead. In July, import growth also slowed down to only 3.4% compared to the double-figure … [Read more...] about Export growth may be slower than expected in H2: HSBC
Vietnam deploys diverse solutions to revive tourism industry
Hanoi will play a key role in connecting visitors to tourist destinations in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism needs to actively support major tourism businesses to build routes linking localities, and restart heritage digitalization with the participation of travel companies to create new tourism products. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the meeting. Photo: VGP This is one of the requirements made by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on August 17 at the meeting on removing difficulties and promoting tourism recovery so that the industry would become a key economic sector. The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to urgently submit to the Prime Minister the adjustment of electricity prices so that accommodation establishments would be entitled to energy rates equal to those of manufacturing facilities. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, associations, and tourism businesses … [Read more...] about Vietnam deploys diverse solutions to revive tourism industry
Over US$34 billion set to pour into Vietnam’s real estate market this year
The credit quality of real estate firms is at a good level with financial leverage below 1.5x. During the first seven months of 2022, over VND420 trillion (US$18 billion) was pumped into the real estate market. The figure could be raised to VND800 trillion ($34 billion) by the end of the year in case of favorable conditions. Investors looking at a real estate project in Me Linh District, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung Economist Can Van Luc, a member of the National Financial and Monetary Advisory Council, shared the view at a real estate forum held on August 17, noting the figure is huge compared to total investment capital for the economy. According to Luc, while transaction activities have been subdued in recent months, this would pose a golden opportunity to restructure the market for more sustainable growth. “In the past, real estate was widely seen as the first option when people explore fields to invest in, and that is a huge risk to the economy,” Luc said. … [Read more...] about Over US$34 billion set to pour into Vietnam’s real estate market this year