Vietnam visa: Buy airline ticket before getting visa, should or should not?

If you want to enter Vietnam, we highly recommend you to apply for Vietnam visa first and buy your airline ticket later since it will be safer.

However, when you apply for visa for certain countries, the embassy of these countries in your country may require you to make a flight reservation. In this case, you just need to call the booking-office and book your flight to get visa. You do not need to pay the ticket but if you are sure that you can get visa and you have an urgent task, it is impossible to receive immediately the ticket.

In contrast, if you cannot be 100% sure about getting visa, paying airline ticket can cause many damages. After the confirmation of the embassy about your visa, you should ask for your ticket in order to get visa because if you do not have airline ticket or your airline ticket is different from ticket booked, you will not get visa at the embassy.

What will I do if I lose my airline ticket?

If you lose your ticket, you need to contact immediately airline and fill out a lost ticket application by giving your personal information (full name, flight date, booking day, telephone number). The airline will check your information and issue a replacement ticket. You usually have to pay some money for service charge or penalty.

Vietnam visa: Buy airline ticket before getting visa, should or should not?

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Vietnam visa: Difference between visa and passport

If you have a travel to Vietnam, Vietnam visa and passport are a critical part. Certain people think that they can enter the country with only the passport but in fact, it is almost impossible (exempt some cases). If you do not know the difference between two documents, this article will be a great help.

Passport is a form of identification issued by a national government and used for abroad travels. Its purpose is to certify the nationality and the identity of its owner.

Nowadays, Vietnam passports can be divided into 3 types:

- Popular passport: Popular passport is granted to all Vietnamese citizens who have permanent residence, identity card and full of citizenship rights.

- Official passport: Official passport is issued to the government employees who traveling abroad for works related to government.

- Diplomatic passport: Diplomatic passport is issued to the diplomats or to the consuls for their work related travels.

Visa is an official document that allows a citizen enters a country. It is an endorsement, granted by a government official and stamped or pasted into a passport.

In Vietnam, there are different types of Vietnam visas for foreigners:

- Tourist visa: Vietnam tourist visa is issued to visitors who want to enter a country with the purpose of tourist travels.

- Business visa: Business visa is issued to businessmen who travel to a country for commercial activities.

- Temporary residence card: Temporary residence card is issued to foreigners who work or invest permanently in a country.

Vietnam visa: Difference between visa and passport

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Vietnam visa: Throw a sprat to catch a herring!

In recent years, number of international tourists arriving to Vietnam increases constantly due to a series of effective measures, including visa exemption for visitors from certain key markets of Vietnam tourism. However, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently said that Vietnam have lost about 50 million each year when visitors from these markets are exempt from Vietnam visa. Thus, what is the truth?

Vietnam visa exemption policy is available for visitors from Japan, South Korea, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. However, according to the latest news, the Vietnam government could abolish the visa exemption policy. In the eyes of tourism experts, the abolition of visa exemption for 7 countries will harm the tourism industry of country and reduce its competitiveness. The visa policy change could immediately decrease at least 50% of tourists from these countries.

Meanwhile, according to statistics given by the General Department of Tourism, the number of international visitors to Vietnam in 3 first months of 2013 reduced to 6.2 % from last year’s same period. The abrupt reduction of number of international visitors arriving to Vietnam in the early months of 2013 is not a good signal for tourism.

In fact, the government could loss several tens of millions of dollar, but in turn could earn billions of dollar from international visitors. The Vietnam government should review its new intention.

The big worry of the majority of visitors is cost and time spent on visa. Thus, visa exemption policy is one of effective solutions to attract international tourists. They do not have to apply for Vietnam tourist visa and can save money with this policy because the visa application procedures in Vietnam are not quick and easy.

Vietnam visa: Throw a sprat to catch a herring!

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Vietnam tourist visa – one of indispensible things to take on holiday in Vietnam

Personal papers, cash, bank card and personal hygiene objects are things you cannot go without, especially when you go to a foreign land.

Personal papers

Identity card, Vietnam tourist visa and passport are important papers you need to take on vacation in Vietnam. In addition, you also need to remember to bring your airline ticket, personal papers for hotel and service registry… Here are first items on the list of indispensable things when you prepare your luggage.

Cash and bank card

Before each trip, you should plan a certain amount of money which will be spent on shopping. Do not take too much money with you, the bank card (ATM card) is better for your safe. You need to exchange your money into Vietnam dongs and get information about the price of merchandises in Vietnam.

Personal items

Personal items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, facial cleanser… should be put in a small bag. In particular, you had better buy shower gel pouch or shampoo pouch or put them into small bottle. Although every hotel prepares face towel and bath towel for client, you should bring your own towel to assure cleanliness and hygiene.

In addition, body lotion and sunscreen are also indispensable if you arrive to Vietnam in the summer. Do not make your skin weak after just a short trip.

Camera and battery charger

To keep the memories of the trip, camera is very necessary in your backpack. Many people will use the camera on smart phone. Whatever you use to take photo, do not forget battery charger and extra battery and make sure that your machines work well.

Flats and strap sandals

Vacation is time for you to visit and discover nature, you will walk a lot. Thus, buy a pair of shoes, soft sole slippers which make you feel comfortable to travel or to climb.

Medicines and first aid kit

You cannot know when influenza or sudden accident attack you or members in your trip. A small bag with medicines such as cold medicine, motion sickness medicine, anti insect medicine… and some quick first aid supplies such as cotton, bandages, antiseptic… is always useful.

Vietnam tourist visa – one of indispensible things to take on holiday in Vietnam

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Vietnam visa on arrival: Conditions to get long-term visa

Vietnam visa on arrival: Conditions to get long-term visa

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Japan: Visa exemption for a number of ASEAN countries

The Japanese government has exempted citizens of some Southeast Asian countries to help develop the nation’s tourism industry and to strengthen the relationship with ASEAN countries.

According to Japanese Foreign Ministry’s declaration, this new visa policy has been effective after July 1. The Ministry of the Land of the Rising Sun underlined that this decision was adopted to celebrate “40^th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation”. It noted that the visa exemption is only valid for short-term tourists (less than 15 days), if they want to stay longer, they still need a visa.

However, only citizens of Thailand and Malaysia are officially exempted from visa after July 1. The citizens of other ASEAN countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines will obtain the Issuance of Multiple Entry Visas (for short time visit no longer than 15 days).

World Bulletin Newspaper said that the political tensions related to Senkaku/Diaoyu islands lowered the number of Chinese travelers to Japan. This severely affects his tourism industry, especially when Chinese tourists boycott the tour to Japan. In that situation, Tokyo decided to turn its eyes to lucrative Southeast Asian market with the goal of attracting 1 million tourists from the region this year, and 2 million in 2006.

Japan: Visa exemption for a number of ASEAN countries

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Deputy Director General of VNAT Nguyen Quoc Hung receives the representative of Aviareps Group

(TITC) – On July 26th 2013, in Ha Noi, Deputy Director General of VNAT Nguyen Quoc Hung had a meeting with Mr. Harry Betist, General Manager Tourism of the Netherlands Office of Aviareps in Amsterdam.
Aviareps was founded in Germany in 1994 with the aim of meeting the growing demands of the aviation and tourism representation market. Today, the Aviareps Group is the world’s leading tourism and airline sales and marketing company with more 40 offices in 30 nations around the world. In addition, the Aviareps Group has a rapidly growing trade & retail promotion division and commercial activities worldwide.

At the meeting, Mr. Harry Betist highly valued the development of Viet Nam tourism and expected that in the coming time Aviareps would have a chance to cooperate with the VNAT in tourism promotion on the world; and help private business sector of Viet Nam in cooperation with the private business sector abroad.

Deputy Director General Nguyen Quoc Hung welcomed Mr. Harry Betist’s visit to Viet Nam. He said VNAT always pay attention to tourism promotion in the region and around the world, especially in the source markets such as Germany, France, Russia, South Korea, Japan, Australia…Every year, VNAT often attends the tourism fairs, exhibitions such as ITB in Germany, MITT in Russia; organizes roadshows to promote Viet Nam tourism; invites famtrips, presstrips to Viet Nam…

Deputy Director General Nguyen Quoc Hung directed the functional Departments of VNAT continue to work with representative of Aviareps Group in detail and hoped that in the coming time VNAT and Aviareps Group will have a chance to cooperate in pushing Vietnam tourism promotion.

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Golden Week attracting tourists to Hue

(TITC) - Responding to Tourism Stimulus Program 2013 of Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, Hue Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC) in cooperation with Thua Thien Hue Tourism Association will continue to organize the second turn of “Golden Week of Tourism” 2013 from 2nd September to 8th September 2013 and the third turn from 24th December to 30th December 2013. Previously, the first turn of the Golden Week took place from 21st April to 27th April with many positive results.

Like as the first turn, tourists visiting Hue in the second turn of “Golden Week of Tourism” will be received many incentives and promotions such as: free of charge for electric bus from Hue Imperial City (Dai Noi) to Hue Royal Antiquities Museum; offered half admission for court music performance in Duyet Thi Duong Theatre; while paying admission to visit sites of Hue Imperial City, Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb, tourists will be free of charge to visit more sites including Tu Duc Tomb, Thieu Tri Tomb, Hon Chen Temple; free of charge for tour guide service in Hue Imperial City for groups of 15 persons and over; free of charge for Hue chamber music performance in Truong Sinh Palace and great music performance in The Mieu Temple – Hue Imperial City…

Beside the above promotions, in the third turn of the Golden Week, tourists to Hue also have opportunities to receive other valuable prizes such as: a special gift for the 2,000,000th tourist to Hue monuments, gifts for the 1,999,999th and 2,000,001st tourists, souvenir gift for the tourist group of the 2,000,000th tourist; free admission to visit Hue Imperial City; 20% discount of ticket for “Royal Night” program… In addition, HMCC gives gifts for three travel agencies with the most tourist’s number coming to Hue monuments in 2013.

According to HMCC, until 19th July, the centre has welcomed nearly 1.143 million tourist arrivals visiting Hue monuments, including 541,768 international arrivals; turnover from selling tickets reached over VND 74 billions (70.73% of the year’s plan).

“Golden Week of Tourism” 2013 is an opportunity to introduce tourism services in the tourist attractions of Hue Ancient Capital and also promote tourist products and the unique and prestigious tourism brand of Thua Thien – Hue Province

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Cultural festival highlights Mu Cang Chai terraced fields

The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai will hold a culture, sports and tourism week highlighting terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai district from September 26-29 to mark 55 years since President Ho Chi Minh visited the province.

The event offers a chance for ethnic groups in Mu Cang Chai in particular and Yen Bai province in general to look back on their revolutionary tradition and heroic spirit during struggles against the French colonists and American imperialists.

It also aims to promote Mu Cang Chai terraced field, recognised as a national scenic site, as well as the unique cultural identities of the Mong ethnic group to both domestic and foreign tourists.

A string of activities will be held, including a sport festival, a photo exhibition themed “Mu Cang Chai – golden stairs”, a mountainous market, and contests of making Day cake (round cake from glutinous rice) and rice field ploughing. Tours to the district’s communes will be offered during the event.

Terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai are beautiful all the year round. Visitors in March are treated to the sight of glittering ponds. Locals transplant rice seedlings from April to May. After that, all hills are covered by an everlasting green. The fields start to turn yellow with ripe rice from early September.

The fields are visible from virtually everywhere in the district as they expand over 2,200ha, including around 500ha in Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan and De Xu Phinh communes. The terraced fields in these villages were recognised as a national heritage in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Rice fields are not only a source of food and income for the Mong; they are an intrinsic part of their culture and of Mu Cang Chai, which is itself a quiet district on the bank of the Nam River.

In addition to terraced fields, Mu Cang Chai was blessed with beautiful flora and fauna and outstanding geographic features, including vast mountain ranges with high peaks which have protected the people for ages.

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Hanoi’s move to support tourists

Hanoi officially launched a tourist support division on August 1 to solve as quickly as possible incidents reported by tourists, and provide them with necessary information about the capital city.

The move comes as the municipal tourism sector discovered that tourists have been the target of theft, fraud and overcharging, especially in Dong Da, Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts, which has tarnished the image of the capital city in the eyes of foreigners.
Visitors now can directly call the division’s two hotlines, including 04.39261515 and 0946791955, which are available all the day.
The municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism then will coordinate with those of the police of the city and districts, the municipal transport department and the Hanoi Taxi Association to deal with any violations, especially those related to transport, service quality and taxi fares.
In the time to come, the department will continue opening new information kiosks to promote Hanoi’s tourism as well as provide tourists with necessary information.
Hanoi welcomed 1.2 million international arrivals and 9 million domestic tourists in the first half of this, representing year-on-year increases of 15 percent and 8 percent respectively.

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