Vietnam boosts tourism activities in Russia tourists' market

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism says the country could host as many as 1 million Russian tourists by 2020.

Vietnam was one of the first nation’s to tap the Russian market, when it enjoyed a special relationship with the former USSR in the 1970s and 1980s.

VNAT deputy head, Nguyen Quoc Hung, claimed there are now strong indicators that Russian tour operators will promote the country’s beach destinations on a much larger scale than in the past.

“Russian tour operators will come up with many more promotional programmes to lure tourists from Russia who are staying longer and spending more in Vietnam,” he said.

VNAT and local tourism agencies will attend more trade fairs in Russia and conduct road shows to major cities as well as inviting Russian tour operators and media to join familiarisation trips to Vietnam.

The emphasis will be on high-spend tourists rather than budget tourists who are already visiting the country mainly on cheap charter flights.

Russia figures as a top source market on par with Japan, South Korea, EU nations, Australia and the USA.

They spend around USD2,200 to USD2,500 for up to seven days and can average USD4,000 for longer stays.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed, last July, that visa exemption for Russian travellers should be extended from 15 days to 30 days. It would help to improve length of stay and increase spend.

For January to August this year, 240,566 Russian tourists visited Vietnam, an increase of 27.1% over the same period last year.

In 2013, there were 298,126 Russians visited the country, up 71.1% from 2012.

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Tam Dao Provides Free Wi-Fi

Tourists, who visit Tam Dao, 86 km from Hanoi, can enjoy free Wi-Fi access according to the Provincial Department of Information and Communications.

The provine invested around US$700,000 in its free Wi-Fi project in an effort to lure more tourists to the region.

Various destinations in Vietnam are improving Wi-Fi access for visitors believing it is an essential service that will ultimately improve Vietnam’s ability to attract more international tourists.

According to the department, visitors and residents will enjoy free Wi-Fi service until 2019. After that they will have to pay for the service.

“The free Wi-Fi project will help visitors to research information on the region on the spot making it easier to explore attractions and that helps us to draw more foreign tourists,” an official explained.

Due to mountainous terrain, Wi-Fi hotspots have been placed at hotels, or high buildings in the centre of Tam Dao town.

Tam Dao tourist area is located in Tam Duong district, 86 km from Hanoi, covering Ban Thach, Thien Nhi and Phu Nghia mountains.

Vietnam has introduced free Wi-Fi for visitors in Hoi An, Danang, Halong, Hue, Da Lat, Cat Ba and at Saigon Railway Station.

Over the next two years Quang Ninh province will provide more free Wi-Fi at economic and tourist hub cities such as Uong Bi, Cam Pha, Van Don and Mong Cai.

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Vietnam Gaining Visa-free Travel

Tourism expert continue to present the case for visa-free travel to the national government claiming it is essential to build the economy, revenue and jobs in tourism.

They are lobbying to stop a Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ proposal to close the visa-free scheme particularly for seven countries.

Vietnam has in place a pilot visa exemption programme for tourists from Japan, South Korea, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. It has been running for eight years for some of the countries, but has met resistance from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Another visa-free stay programme for ASEAN visitors has not been targeted for review.

The ministry bemoans the loss of visa fee collection claiming the losses it incurs make the scheme unviable.

A tourist visa to Vietnam currently costs US$45 and if the exemption programme continues the ministry loses US$50 million a year in revenue, although tourism experts point out the positive earnings from tourism far outweigh the loss.

They also argue that a visa-free policy saves costs for the ministry, which can reduce its consulate staff payroll at embassies in the seven countries.

Vietnam Tourism Association vice president, Vu The Binh, argues that the loss of visa fees is just a drop in the ocean compared to the huge amount of revenue the tourism sector brings in every year.

Last year, the country attracted approximately 1.5 million visitors from Japan, Korea and Russia. If each visitor spent an average of US$1,500 during their stay, the tourism sector would earn US$2.1 billion and contribute US$210 million in VAT to the State budget.

“While Vietnam may lose several millions from visa exemptions each year, it will gain billions in tourism revenue,” he said.

“We also earn US$210 million in VAT, not to mention the other benefits such as generating more jobs,” he said.

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Vietnam tourism sector sees Qatari investments

Vietnam Tourism

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

Qatar and the rest of the Gulf region is an important market for tourism in Vietnam, a senior official of the Vietnam government told Gulf Times in Ho Chi Minh City (HMC) on Wednesday.

“A number of Qatari projects are under preparation, which would make investments in Vietnam’s tourism sector, including construction of tourist complexes,” Nguyen Quy Phuong, director-general of travel industry management department at the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism explained.

The official was of the view that there are still a lot to be done to attract tourists from the Gulf region. Further, the Vietnamese are seriously interested in knowing the region and exploring it to enhance bilateral relations.

Phuong was speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the 8th edition of the international travel expo (ITE) with the main target of promoting tourism in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Senior representatives of the four neighboring Asian countries held a workshop with the topic ‘The travel links of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, during the expo’. Each country presented a cultural show, reflecting its traditions and an official gave a presentation about the natural, cultural and heritage wealth of his country and the attractions it holds for tourists.

The expo intended to promote the four countries as one destination.

Phuong pointed out that tourism is the key to world stability, peace and promotion of business. He said that tourism is still one of the key sectors that would contribute considerably to the fast-growing economies.

Vietnam would work jointly with the other three countries to bring them closer to being one destination and ease travel procedures for potential tourists.

The ITE-HMC is regarded as Vietnam’s foremost tourism event and has been an annual show since 2005. This year’s event promises a series of new and exciting features, in addition to the trade exhibition.

The programs will benefit tourism promotion organizers, operators, industry professionals and international and local visitors. One destination for the four countries in the sub-Mekong region would target enhancing and maximizing of related trade networking experiences for these countries with over 500 participating companies from more than 30 countries and an anticipated turnout of around 18,000 quality international and regional visitors.

Last year the turnout of tourists visiting Vietnam increased by more than 10% and the number is constantly on the rise.

The Vietnam marine tourism, which has long shaped the industry in the country, is also dramatically growing because of its natural potential, as it has a long coast as long as 3,300km.

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Vietnam promotes investment and tourism in Hong Kong

Hong Kong - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

A seminar was held in Hong Kong early this month by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), Vietnam Consulate General and Enigma Group, to introduce Vietnam’s tourism and attract investment in Hong Kong.

Consult General to Hong Kong and Macao Nguyen Thi Nha said bilateral relations between Vietnam and Hong Kong have developed well in various areas, thanks to the regular exchange of visits and signing agreements over the years.

Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Hong Kong hit US$3.2 billion in 2011, a year-on-year increase of 37 percent.

Nha added that the two sides have enormous potential for cooperation, not only in economics and trade but also in culture and education.

MCST Deputy Minister Le Khanh Hai said after 20 years of renewal process, Vietnam has won credit for its socio-political stability, constant high growth, and open policies for investors.

For his part, Jonathan Choi, President of the Hong Kong-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, said Vietnam blessed with beautiful landscape is drawing an increasing number of visitors. So while investing in the country businesses should spare time studying Vietnam’s land, people and culture.

(Asia Travel News)

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