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http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=02IND300405


Artikel herunder:
Kunne måske friste een eller anden, hvis man alligevel var i nabolaget.

mvh


Michael Christoffersen

(30-04-2005)

HA NOI - Viet Nam will welcome more Scandinavian tourists thanks to an
increase in tourist numbers during the early months of the year and a recent
Government decision to exempt visas for the four Scandinavian nations.

Under Decision 808 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), dated April
13, 2005, citizens from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland will be exempt
from short-stay entry visas to Viet Nam starting on May 1.

Deputy Director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism's (VNAT)
Tourism Department Duong Xuan Hoi affirmed that the number of tourists from
the four Scandinavian nations to Viet Nam only represents a small share of
the total figure. Nevertheless, Scandinavia presents a promising market for
the national tourism industry.

The small share of tourists was blamed on the fact that Viet Nam is not
well-known among tourists from these nations.

The hopes of welcoming more such visitors has been fuelled by the fact that
the number of tourists from these nations to Viet Nam in the first quarter
of the year surged by 27 per cent according to statistics from VNAT.

The VNAT also said that during the winter season in Denmark and Sweden,
millions of residents of the two countries will travel as tourists to
attractive destinations in South-east Asia, including Viet Nam.

In addition, the move toward visa exemption has prompted Scandinavian tour
operators to begin conducting market surveys and establishing organised tour
groups to Viet Nam, said the VNAT.

The decision allows Scandinavian citizens a temporary stay of less than 15
days after the date of immigration, provided they travel with valid
passports issued by authorities in their countries; passports valid for at
least three months after the date of entry; proof of two-way transit; and
evidence that they are not subject to immigration bans or restrictions under
the laws of Viet Nam.

Those granted visa exemptions may ask the Ministry of Public Security's
Immigration Control Department or MoFA's departments (such as the Consulate
Department, the Reception Bureau or the HCM City Department of Foreign
Affairs) for an extension if they would like to extend their stays.

If travelling to Viet Nam for a period of more than 15 days, these visitors
will have to apply for visas, the ministry said. - VNS