Vietnam has nearly doubled the cost of its fees for Visas on arrival starting on 1 January 2013. The standard tourist single entry visa fee has leapt to 45 USD from 25 USD. This applies to all travellers holding foreign passports.
The multi-entry visa fee has also increased to 65 USD for visits within a one month period. Longer stay visas have also risen in price with a one year visa costing 80 USD, 100 USD for up to 2 years and 120 USD to stay for up to three years. The fees must be paid on arrival in cash in either US dollars or in the local currency of the Vietnamese Dong.
And just as the UK’s love-affair with Vietnam as a travel destination continues, it is revealed that UK tourists must also pay an additional 12.29 GBP as a service fee to acquire a Vietnam Visa approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department. Last year Vietnam was unveiled as the fastest growing tourist destination for British travellers, with sales of the Vietnamese Dong currency soaring 68% over the summer. This extra measure may deter UK travellers
In 2011, some 6 million foreign tourists visited Vietnam and the target for 2013 is 7.3 million visitors. Growth is expected in southern Vietnam thanks to the newly opened Phu Quoc International Airport. Opened on 2 December 2012, the airport can handle 2.5 million passengers per year currently. Phu Quoc is ideally placed for access to the beach resorts and islands.
Key markets in terms of arrivals this year are expected to come from China, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Russia, France and Thailand.
