Vietnam hikes tourist visa charges
Vietnam has almost doubled its Visa on Arrival (VoA) fees, which must be paid by all tourists entering the country.
From January 1, the new fee for a single-entry visa was increased from US$25 to $45, applicable to foreigners and Vietnamese holding foreign passports. The fee must be paid in cash, in US dollars or in Vietnamese Dong.
In addition, UK tourists must pay £12.29 for a service fee for a ‘Visa approval letter’ from the Vietnam Immigration Department.
The rate for a multi-entry visa has been increased to $65 for a period of less than one month.
The new visa charges come as Vietnam raises its target to 7.2 million foreign visitors and 35 million domestic tourists in 2013 with an estimated revenue of USD9 billion.
Tourism authorities say the international focus will be on eight key markets this year: China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, France and Russia. The UK is notably absent from the list.
By Ian Jarrett & Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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