Vietnam bets on simple visa norms to attract tourists from India, other Asian countries

NEW DELHI: Vietnam’s tourism board expects to double tourist arrivals from India to one lakh in the coming year as it seeks to woo holidaymakers headed for Thailand and other parts of Asia with a simplified visa procedure.

“In the last three years, travellers from India have grown at 300 per cent and we expect to have one lakh tourists by 2016,” said Ton Sinh Thanh, Vietnamese Ambassador to India.

He said that Vietnam has simplified its visa procedure, ensuring that Indian tourists get a visa within three days. “Those applying for an express visa can even get the visa 24 hours before travel at 30 per cent additional fees,” he added.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Vietnam receives 7.9 million tourists, of which Indians account for just 0.7 per cent. India, on the other hand, receives nearly 7 million travellers every year.