The Vietnamese government has approved a two-year extension of the pilot e-visa issuance program for foreigners visiting the country. The policy was launched on February 1, 2017, allowing citizens from 40 countries to apply for electronic visas. These countries included major tourism markets of China, Japan, South Korea, the U.S, the U.K, Germany and Sweden. Last year, visitors from six countries, Australia, India, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the U.A.E were added to the list. The e-visa application scheme was scheduled to expire next February, but has been extended now. As of August 31 this year, more than 241,000 foreign tourists have entered Vietnam with e-visas, according to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). The policy allows foreigners to apply for a 30-day, single-entry e-visa for holidays or business trips by paying a $25 application fee online. Applicants are required to complete a form available on two separate websites (one in … [Read more...] about Vietnam extends e-visa policy for foreign tourists until 2021
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Việt Nam receives 11.6m foreign tourists in first nine months
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam received 11.6 million international tourists during the first nine months of this year, an increase of 22.9 per cent in comparison with the same period last year, according to Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, chairman of Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Tuấn released the figures during a press conference yesterday in Hà Nội, adding that the number of domestic tourists had reached 62.1 million. “Total income from tourism since the beginning of the year reached VNĐ451 trillion (US$19.6 billion), and increase of 20 per cent in comparison with the same period last year,” he said. Reviewing tourism activities in the first nine months, Tuấn said VNAT had promoted Vietnamese tourism in various markets such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Europe, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Việt Nam International Tourism Mart (Hà Nội) and … [Read more...] about Việt Nam receives 11.6m foreign tourists in first nine months
Flood toll in India’s tourist hotspot Kerala jumps to 67
Viet Nam News KOCHI — The flood toll in India’s southern tourist hotspot of Kerala jumped to 67 after another 25 deaths were reported on Wednesday, with more than 50,000 people seeking shelter in relief camps, a state official said. Kerala, famed for its pristine palm-lined beaches and tea plantations, is battered by the monsoon every year but the rains have been particularly severe this season, flooding hundreds of villages and prompting the authorities to suspend flights in and out of the region. "Twenty five deaths were confirmed earlier in the evening. The situation is bad in many parts of the state and the number (of deaths) will likely increase," a senior official from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said. Unconfirmed local media reports mentioned a much higher toll and cited ongoing efforts to reach many flooded areas. The official added that authorities had issued a "red-alert" warning in all 14 districts of the flood-ravaged state, with heavy … [Read more...] about Flood toll in India’s tourist hotspot Kerala jumps to 67
Russian tourist allegedly gang-raped in India
Media reports said the 21-year-old had bite marks on her face and arms when she was found naked and unconscious on the floor of her hostel room early on Monday. "Six men have been detained over the rape and drugging of the woman," investigating officer Mangayar Karasi told AFP. The woman, who was travelling on her own, had arrived in the town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu state, 190 kilometres (120 miles) from Chennai, last Thursday. Those in custody included the hostel manger and her tourist guide, who told police he found her on the floor hours after they had consensual sex, another investigator said. She said the woman was being treated in hospital for a drug overdose and minor injuries, with efforts being made to record her statement. The medical report has confirmed sexual assault, the officer said. Local and foreign tourists flock to Tiruvannamalai for its 9th-century Annamalaiyar Temple, one of the largest Hindu temple complexes spread over 10 hectares (25 acres). Sexual … [Read more...] about Russian tourist allegedly gang-raped in India
HCM City tourism sector targets tourists from India
Viet Nam News HCM CITY — HCM City has great potential to attract tourists from new markets like India but the city must diversify its products and services to appeal to more international visitors, an official said on Wednesday. Bùi Tá Hoàng Vũ, director of the city’s Department of Tourism, said new policies were being designed to attract more tourists, especially from India. The department has also been working with airlines, he said. In September, the budget airline Vietjet Air plans to open direct flights from HCM City to India, he added. Last year, the number of Indian visitors to Thailand reached 1.6 million, while the number to Việt Nam was only about 170,000, according to the department. As one of the measures to improve the situation, the department is working with consultants on food publications for Indian tourists in Việt Nam, according to Vũ. In recent years, the department has also launched promotion campaigns in … [Read more...] about HCM City tourism sector targets tourists from India