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Travel
Nov 24, 2016 / 15:08

Piloting electronic visa: The push to attract international visitors

By Anh Kiet

Vietnamese National Ambassy has recently passed a resolution on the pilot implementation of electronic visa (E-visa) to foreigners entering Vietnam for a period of two years, that will take effect from February 1, 2017. This is considered a push to attract international tourists to Vietnam.

Quick procedures

According to the Resolution on the implementation of pilot electronic visas for foreigners entering Vietnam, E-visa is valid for a period of time that does not exceed 30 days. Visa applicants must pay fees via electronic bank account, and will not be refunded in case of E-visa is not granted. Time for electronic visas are processed within 3 days, foreigners must have a passport and must not in the case of immigration provisions of Article 21 of the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
 
International tourists are visiting the Old Quarter of Hanoi
International tourists are visiting the Old Quarter of Hanoi
General Director of APT Travel Group Nguyen Hong Dai said: The E-visa pilot has great significance in the present context. By tourism enterprises and tourists do not necessarily need a free visa, but more importantly, the procedure to be resolved quickly. "In fact, to make a visa, travelers feel that the most troubling thing is not having to pay fees that go through many procedures, from the other company to the other agencies. Meanwhile, electronic visas will help shorten the multiple stages, multiple procedures and reducing the time for the traveler," Mr. Dai analyzed.

Sharing the same view, Head of Vietrantour's Communications Le Cong Nang said that the E-visa granting is general global trend to simplify entry and exit procedures between countries. While ensuring security, safety, and transparency of financial information, easily managing and creating favorable conditions for the entry of tourists. On the other hand, according to the 2014 report of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC), Vietnam has the potential to boost the number of tourists from 8-18% if facilitating the issuance of visas. Therefore, the application of E-visa is necessary.

Gradually removing three barriers

To effectively implementing E-visa, Mr. Nang said: "From now until February 2017, the agencies and units concerned have sufficient resources and equipment, avoid the situation that visitors must suffer long-awaited clearance, because applying for E-visa is accompanied by registration of visitors increasing many times as the normal visa."

At the same time, Vietrantour also proposed, the national airline and international flight operators to Vietnam to be propaganda on E-visa procedures. Then, asking the flight attendant passenger guidance procedures that are necessary to quickly complete immigration procedures. In addition, experts said that the State management agency on tourism should advise the Government to expand the list of countries to be granted a visa to Vietnam and in specific destinations. Along with that, improving the process of issuing visas at border gates in an easy, transparent, clear and consistent way; a review of the ban on visa-free travelers are back within 30 days without a valid visa. Vietnam also needs to develop a system of transiting visas to attract tourists and develop a transhipment hub in the region.

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