3:36:37 PM | 1/10/2008
Russian visitors holding ordinary passports will be allowed into Vietnam for a stay of 15 days without entry visas from early next year, the Prime Minister has decided.
Visa exemptions will apply for Russian nationals who come to Vietnam for all purposes, the decision states.
The fresh decision was immediately applauded by the national tourism authority as well as travel companies, saying it would serve as a strong boost to tourist arrivals from Russia seen as a potential source market for Vietnam's hospitality industry.
“It is a good market because the travel purchasing power of Russian travelers is high,” Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said, adding that the country's tourism would call on Russian airlines to launch new services to Vietnam in the future.
Russian tourists spent more money on luxury services in Vietnam than other foreign visitors. Their spending money is about 40 per cent higher than the overall average of US$800 per person during their stay in the country, the ministry said.
The tourism industry is making marketing and promotion activities in Russia. Vietnam started the first road show in Moscow last Tuesday, while the second program took place last Thursday in St. Petersburg. In the trip, local tourism officials and tour operators met with Russian companies to sound out business cooperation opportunities.
Russia now ranks 15th among Vietnam's tourism markets with travel companies such as Saigontourist and Ben Thanh Tourist receiving the largest numbers of Russian visitors.
Vietnam targets to welcome around 70,000 Russian tourist arrivals this year and 100,000 next year. (SGT, VietNamNet)
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