Growth of Vietnamese tourism abroad Vietnam considers France one of its priority tourist markets and vice versa. Tourism is an important industry in France, which welcomed more than 90 million visitors in 2018 and is expected to attract more than 100 million in 2019. French Ambassador to Vietnam, Bertrand Lortholary said France is constantly improving the quality of its products and services and simplifying visa procedures to attract more foreign visitors. France will be promoting tourism in Southeast Asia in general and Vietnam in particular, the ambassador said. The number of Vietnamese visitors to France increased sharply to reach 100,000 in 2018, and the number of tourist visas granted by the French Embassy in Hanoi has increased 50 percent per year, on average. Vietnamese traveled to numerous destinations throughout France. The Paris metropolitan area attracted almost 85,000 Vietnamese visitors earning revenues of EUR74 million in 2017 and 2018. The visitor satisfactoriness rate … [Read more...] about Vietnam, France seek to increase mutual tourism
Visa vietnam france
Vietnam visa hassles could deter long holidayers
Frenchman Thomas and Thai girlfriend Araya had big plans for Vietnam. Their first visit to the country in August had impressed them so much that they wanted to return for a much longer trip. The first trip happened after they’d traveled from France to Bangkok to visit Araya's parents. As they socialized with Vietnamese people and learnt about different places in the country, they regretted not visiting Vietnam sooner. After the trip, Thomas researched more information about other travel destinations in Vietnam. Fond of motorbikes, he planned to enjoy exploring the northern mountains on one, apart from a leisure trip to Nha Trang, a resort town in central Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City for Araya. Vietnam’s beaches are a popular draw among foreigners, but those who want long holidays in the country face complicated visa rules and procedures. The plan was to spend the entire month of November exploring Vietnam, before Thomas starting a new job in December … [Read more...] about Vietnam visa hassles could deter long holidayers
Vietnam extends e-visa policy for foreign tourists until 2021
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
Vietnam prepares to greet 15 millionth visitor of the year
By Nguyen Quy  October 18, 2018 | 05:56 pm GMT+7 A floating village in Ha Long Bay, northern Quang Ninh Province. Photo by Shutterstock The country is set to welcome the 15 millionth visitor of the year late next month or early December. A representative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said at a press conference Wednesday that the special guest would be welcomed at the famous Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh Province. The year end is a peak travel season as foreign tourists, especially from the U.S. and Europe, visit Vietnam to escape the winter and enjoy the Xmas and New Year holidays. Expectations are high that the country can fulfill its target of welcoming 16 million international visitors this year, said Nguyen Van Tuan, head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. More than 11.6 million foreigners arrived in Vietnam in the first nine months of this year, a 22.9 percent year-on-year increase. Last year's foreign arrivals is … [Read more...] about Vietnam prepares to greet 15 millionth visitor of the year
Vietnam cashes in on spending boom by Chinese tourists
China has maintained its place as the biggest feeder market of Vietnam’s tourism in recent years, accounting for one third of all international visitors. More than four million Chinese visitors were welcomed last year, up 48.6 percent from the previous year. The surge in Chinese tourists has been a big boost for the local tourism sector because the visitors are also spending more in the country. Survey results released Tuesday by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, reveal the average daily spending by the Chinese increased from $118.6 in 2014 to $130 last year. Compared to other regional countries, the daily spending was below that of Chinese visitors in Thailand ($180), Indonesia ($183) and Singapore ($446). Tourism authorities are working hard to sustain the strong growth in the number of Chinese tourists. Many direct flights connecting Vietnamese major cities with China have been launched over the past years to cater to growing travel … [Read more...] about Vietnam cashes in on spending boom by Chinese tourists