Editor’s note: Michael Tatarski, an American freelancer based in Ho Chi Minh City, retold his most recent visa run and explained why he did not hesitate to call it a nightmare. The story below reflects the author’s own view and experience. get a new visa on a regular basis. One way to do this is to go on a border run to Cambodia and back, which I did recently. The process was a complete nightmare, and illustrative of many of the problems with Vietnam’s tourism. Local media have been full of recent stories lamenting Vietnam’s 12-month run of declining vistor numbers, although there was apparently an uptick in July. Officials, experts and members of the public have weighed in through multiple outlets, with some blaming pollution, scams and a lack of interesting tourism sites for the downward trend. Many, however, pointed to the inconvenient, expensive visa policies of the country, especially given the fact that many neighboring countries offer paid visas on … [Read more...] about American expat recounts Vietnam visa run nightmare
Vietnam visa on arrival price
Government and business community formulate a practical strategy for Vietnam to become a leading Asian economy
Source: VnExpress.net (CPV)- The Vietnam Business Forum met at the end of May in Hanoi to discuss long-term measures that will ensure a path of sustainable and equitable economic growth. With the new five-year political cycle about to begin, it is critical that the government and business community formulate a practical strategy for Vietnam to achieve its ambition of becoming a leading Asian economy. While forum participants welcome the government's recent efforts in stabilizing the macro economy, they also stressed the need to look beyond short-term solutions to shift policies from administrative measures to market driven ones that promote market efficiency. The government should use the current economic environment as a stimulus for tough structural reform that will make the economy more competitive, market-oriented and efficient. The government's strong commitment to controlling inflation and reforming state-owned enterprises will help restore investor and business confidence and … [Read more...] about Government and business community formulate a practical strategy for Vietnam to become a leading Asian economy
Visa waiver could go
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering overturning its policy of allowing visitors from certain countries to enter Vietnam without a visa Foreign tourists stroll down a street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam National Association of Tourism has urged the government not to overturn a visa waiver that allows visitors from seven Asian and European countries to enter the country without visas. The government may no longer waive the need for visas for nationals of seven Asian and European countries, and experts are worried the move could hurt tourism that has been booming despite the economic downturn. The Vietnam National Association of Tourism has urged the government not to do so, its chairman, Nguyen Huu Tho, told Vietweek on Monday (April 15), and is hopeful it would pay heed. Between 2004 and 2009 Vietnam unilaterally waived visas for single-entry visits of up to 15 days for Danish, Finnish, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, South Korean, and Swedish nationals. … [Read more...] about Visa waiver could go
Long-haul markets collapse to Vietnam in 2009
Long-haul markets to Vietnam are in the doldrums and were behind the collapse of total arrivals last year to the country. Looking at preliminary figures from Vietnam National Tourism Administration, total arrivals dropped last year by 11% to 3.025 million tourists. This bad performance follows already a mediocre year 2008 where total arrivals were only up by 0.6% at 4.25 million.Long-standing problems of Vietnam tourism such as double pricing for foreigners, an average quality of service compared to prices and uneasy procedures to get a visa. With Myanmar, Vietnam remains in fact the only country within ASEAN not to propose visa-on-arrival facilities- have been exacerbated by the current recession. All markets recorded decline with the worst performing countries being South Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan. Overseas, French and Australian arrivals declined respectively by 3.1% and 6.9% over 2008. Vietnam's current tagline,'The Hidden Charm,' never seems to be so accurate to … [Read more...] about Long-haul markets collapse to Vietnam in 2009
Coming to Vietnam
Tourists can get visas at Vietnamese Embassies worldwide or upon arrival in Danang. Danang is the first international gateway in central Vietnam to offer visas on arrival for travellers who have booked hotel rooms and have enough required papers. Details of the travel should be sent to the hotel at least 24 hours before tourists' arrival. Registration fee is approximately US$30 per person. Customs Regulations Entry:- Visitors are permitted to bring with them the following items:- Cigarettes: 400; Cigars: 50-100; Tobacco in fibre: 100 grams ; Liquỏ: 1.5 litres.- Personal belongings and gifts of a reasonable quantity and a total value of US$300.- The amount of cash is not limited, but if exceeding 3,000USD, visitors must declare to Customs. Exit:- For taking commercial goods and those of high value out of Vietnam, an export permit issued by Customs is required. Visitors are not permitted to take the following items out of Vietnam: antiques, gemstones and animals listed in … [Read more...] about Coming to Vietnam