Proposing Korea to simplify visa application procedures for Vietnamese

That is one of the proposals of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to enhance tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Korea.

Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh recently had a meeting and worked with Mr. Park Jong Kyung, Counselor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam on enhancing tourism cooperation between the two sides.

Since early 2021, South Korea has expanded the list of countries exempted from group e-visa fees to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. Previously, only Chinese tourists enjoyed this policy. The visa application fee for Vietnamese tourists to South Korea is currently 30 USD/person.

NG

According to Minister Counselor Park Jong Kyung, Vietnam is one of the world's leading destinations and is loved by international tourists. Currently, tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Korea is being promoted. In 2023, about 3.6 million Korean tourists traveled to Vietnam. In the opposite direction, there were over 400,000 Vietnamese tourists to Korea. Since 2022, Korea has become Vietnam's leading tourist market. The favorite destinations of Korean tourists are the Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An cluster, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and charter flights also focus on exploiting these destinations. The bilateral agreement between Korea and Vietnam on the recognition of International Driving Permits (IDPs) signed by the two sides during President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Vietnam has also come into effect. This is considered a factor that facilitates tourists from both sides to travel to each other. Mr. Park Jong Kyung expressed his hope that the Vietnam National Tourism Administration would pay attention to enhancing cooperation to promote the exchange of tourists between the two sides, through a number of proposals to attract Korean tourists to Vietnam, as well as bring the best experience to tourists such as: providing signs in Korean; establishing a 24/7 hotline to support tourists; issuing policies to support Korean and international tourists in case of lost passports, improving the process of reissuing passports for tourists... On the Vietnamese side, Director of the National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh acknowledged that Korea is the largest market sending tourists to Vietnam. In the ASEAN region, Vietnam is also the leading destination for Korea. In 2023, the total two-way exchange of tourists between Vietnam and Korea will reach 4 million, recovering 83% compared to before the pandemic. Director Nguyen Trung Khanh suggested that the Korean Embassy and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) advise the Korean Government to facilitate visa policies for Vietnamese tourists, consider simplifying documents and requirements when submitting applications. In addition, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration will also discuss with the KTO about the plan to promote and advertise Vietnamese tourism in Korea in 2024, and request the KTO to arrange time to attend as well as coordinate in sharing information, and invite Korean businesses to participate. To further strengthen cooperation between the two sides, Director Nguyen Trung Khanh suggested that the KTO consider forming a meeting mechanism of the Vietnam - Korea Tourism Cooperation Committee with the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, meeting annually and rotating in the two countries to discuss measures to promote tourism and resolve problems.

Thanhnien.vn

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