The HCM City Tourism Association has urged the Government to
extend the visa waiver for tourists from five Western European countries --
France, Italy, Germany, the UK, and Spain.
Tourism industry wants visa waiver for five European countries extended, travel
news, Vietnam guide, Vietnam airlines, Vietnam tour, tour Vietnam, Hanoi, ho chi
minh city, Saigon, travelling to Vietnam, Vietnam travelling, Vietnam travel, vn
news
A visa waiver programme for the five countries ends next month, Nguyen Thi Khanh,
deputy chairwoman of the association, said.
But it should be extended by five years to June 30, 2022, she said.
The visa-free policy should be for five years instead of one to enable travel
firms to organise promotion and marketing campaigns in the five markets, she
told a meeting with the city People’s Council on Tuesday (May 23).
Besides, the maximum stay per entry for these tourists should be doubled to 30
days, she said.
The longer stay would be of help to tourists besides boosting their spending in
the country, she said.
Neighbouring countries have simplified their visa procedures to attract more
international visitors, she added.
The number of tourists from the five countries rose by 12 per cent year-on-year
in the first quarter to more than 240,000, according to statistics released by
the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism.
|