In the first seven months of this year, the country welcomes nearly 6.6 million foreign holidaymakers. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) Accordingly, Vietnam will extend the validity oftourist e-visas to 90 from 30 days, with multiple entries, and triple the duration of visa-free stays for visitors from certain countries to 45 days.
Both the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism(VNAT) and experts held that such adjustments will help spur the domestictourism sector's strong development, and create attractive business opportunities for investors.
In the first seven months of this year, the countrywelcomed nearly 6.6 million foreign holidaymakers, fulfilling 83% of the yearlytarget, which sparks a hope that the target of 8 million will be achievedsoon.
For travel firms, the new visa policy has enabled them to developlong-stay travel packages, luring more high-spending tourists. Many of them haveheld working sessions with their Vietnamese partners to prepare for theupcoming peak season for international travelers, especially the New Yearholidays.
However, the visa policy is not enough, expertssaid, suggesting concerted solutions to raise the competitiveness of the “smokeless”industry.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) According to the VNAT, with its current pace, theindustry will need 40,000 new workers each year, and 25,000 others needfurther training.
Moreover, Vietnam lags behind other countries likeSingapore, Japan and Malaysia in the quality of tourism workforce, hence the tourism sector needs to improve the qualifications of its personnel./.
VNA
