Photo: Hương Giang

Following the meeting between Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia on October 19, 2023, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia have agreed to promote bilateral tourism in a bid of making the two countries more accessible to their respective visitors and tourists. 

Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud expressed her support and Saudi Arabia’s goodwill by promising to review their eVisa policy towards citizens of this Southeast Asia nation. Up to now, Vietnam passport holders cannot send visa applications via Saudi Arabia’s eVisa portal but visit Embassies/Consulates or visa agencies in person to obtain a visa, which is often slow, confusing, and time-consuming. 

Additionally, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia also planned to operate direct flights between two countries in the near future.

During the meeting, the Minister asked for the joint of Saudi Arabia to educate each other about tourist taste and standards and laws regulating the hospitality field such as accommodation facilities and tourism investment, etc. In response, Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud said that in the near future, the Kingdom's Ministry of Tourism will work with domestic travel and tourism companies to research and develop inbound packages to suit the tastes of Vietnamese citizens.

Vietnam has focused on implementing Project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry until 2030", issued and approved by the Prime Minister, with Saudi Arabia as an important market and partner in every sector, especially tourism. 

In the upcoming years, Halal industry in general and Halal tourism in particular will be a crucial market for Vietnam. Namely, Halal tourism provides services that cater to the needs of Muslim travelers, includes Halal-friendly accommodations, Halal food options, and considerations for prayer facilities. 

Signing ceremony of "Action Program in the field of tourism" between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia (Photo: Huong Giang)

To conclude the meeting, the two leaders unanimously signed the "Action Program in the field of tourism", opening more doors for the next meetings.

Photo: Nhật Thịnh

Starting from August 15, 2023, Vietnam officially implemented its new visa exemption policy, which has allowed foreigners from 13 eligible countries to stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days, 30 days longer than the old scheme. 

Article 1 of Resolution No.128/NQ-CP Amendments to the Government's Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP dated March 15, 2022 on Visa waiver for nationals,

"Visa waiver will be applicable to nationals of  the Federal Republic of Germany, The French Republic, Italian Republic, Kingdom of Spain, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland, and the Republic of Belarus with a maximum temporary residence period of 45 days from the date of entry, no matter what visa types they currently hold or their purposes of entry, on the basis of eligibility for entry in accordance with Vietnamese laws."

Vietnam’s tourism industry and other related segments have benefited abundantly from this policy, especially when the Republic of Korea - one of the visa-free countries of this Southeast Asia nation, was reported to be the largest source of tourist arrivals with over 2.5 million travelers in the first nine months of 2023. 

In the most recent suggestion, The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has emphasized the need to loosen Vietnam visa requirements, namely aiming at granting visa waiver to short-term visits of any nationality. Short-term visits refer to unextended trips for tourist, business, transit, etc, which often permit foreigners to stay in Vietnam from 1 month to 3 months. 

Besides, in an effort to boost the upscale tourism market, the Ministry also mulls over a pilot project issuing three-year and five-year visa at ports of entry.

According to experts, Vietnam has to take a big step to attract more inbound tourism by opening up its border, following other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia with 169 countries, and Singapore with 150 countries favored by their visa-free policy.

In addition, the eVisa issuance procedures of Vietnam are required to be simplified, said the Ministry. Although the eVisa portal has been in effect for more than 4 months, foreigners and even travel agents still find the current system difficult and confusing.

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries, attracting travelers to its lush mountains, bustling cities and golden sand beaches. It is also known as a friendly and safe destination for travelers Worldwide. If you plan a trip to Vietnam, here are a few things you should know, especially for first-time visitors, it would be helpful.

Weather

Vietnam is a country which benefits from having three different microclimates for the 3 main parts of the country: the North, the Center & the South, making it a great year-round destination.

Its time to travel from October to April when the country sees the least amount of rain and cool temperature; the rains come from May to late September, Vietnam still attracts as it is less crowded, much more attractive price & better service! Come & enjoy!!!

Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa…) can be quite cold, damp and misty from November to March, but it’s also possible to experience lovely sunny, cloudless days during this period. You might need warm clothing and a waterproof jacket in case of rain, or can be cheaply purchased locally if required.

Sun shines onto the terraces of rice fields in northwestern Vietnam (Shutterstock Photo)

Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Nha Trang…) is at its wettest from September through to December. This period sees monsoon rains and occasional typhoons that can cause flooding in the area. While this is rarely of such a level as to seriously affect an itinerary, we do advise people traveling in this period that there may be last-minute changes to itineraries to accommodate the weather conditions.

Eo Gio Quy Nhon is a beautiful check-in spot (Photo: Collected)

Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh city, Mekong Delta…) is generally dry from November to April. May to October is warm, with heavy showers and the odd overcast day. Northern areas are cooler and drier from January to May and September to December. June to August can be hot, humid and showery.

Travel to the Southwest region (Photo: Collected)

Passport & Visa

To enter Vietnam, you will need to bring your passport which is valid for at least 6 months on arrival & enough blank page for visa stamped on it.

A valid visa will be required for citizens from most foreign countries to come to Vietnam for any purpose. According to your nationality on the passport, Vietnam visa can be exempted; or advance visa to Vietnam (visa at embassy, E-visa); or Vietnam approval letter for Visa on arrival will be required before you board on plane to Vietnam.

Please double check this important information carefully before flying to Vietnam.

Currency & Money & Purchase

The currency of Vietnam is Dong (VND). Currently, there are banknotes of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 VND.

Photo: Bao Lao Dong

Enter Vietnam, you can exchange money in the airport or banks or currency exchange booths or even at your hotels.

Please be sure that your money must remain intact, not torn and too dim to guarantee the smooth transactions or best exchange rates.

There are ATM machines available everywhere, so you do not need to bring too much cash. You can withdraw cash from them with a good exchange rate. Keep lots of pence in Dong to buy small things or pay for transportation.

Credit cards (Visa, Master Card is the most common type of cards in Vietnam) can be used at restaurants, hotels or modern convenience stores and commission fees of using credit cards from 3-4% (depending on the card type) will be charged in this case.

Prices of things are reasonable, but expect to pay whatever you can haggle for it. There are no fixed prices, except in the big malls or modern convenience stores or valued items…This can be daunting at first, but you will get used to it, and find it even more fun this way.

Electricity

The standard household (hotel) electrical supply in Vietnam is 220 volt, 50 Hertz, but you may find that 110 volt, 50 Hertz outlets are still in use in some places. In Vietnam, the standard socket accepts a two round pin plug without a ground pin (Type A), but non-standard two flat blade (Type B) or two rectangular blade sockets and plugs are still in use.

Some modern hotels and office blocks have three pin round (Type D) or UK three pin square sockets (Type C). Before traveling to Vietnam, please survey your various items that you will need and that require electricity to operate.  

Vietnamese Food

Vietnamese food is known to be both healthy and robust in flavor, thanks to its generous combination of fresh herbs and greens, paired with rice, noodles, seafood, pork and beef.

Along with fine-dining venues and five-star hotel restaurants decked out in extravagant settings, some of the best (and most authentic) Vietnamese delicacies can be found at roadside eateries, vibrant street markets, and humble-looking restaurants.

Don’t worry if you are vegetarians or Halal food followers, there are choices for you as well.

Here we can suggest you some authentic dishes that are famous for Vietnamese food that you should try while traveling to the country: Pho, Banh Mi, Banh Xeo (Crispy Pancake), Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls), Mi Quang (Vietnamese Turmeric Noodles), Bun Thit Nuong (Vermicelli Noodles With Grilled Pork), Banh Cuon (Rolled Cake)…

Photo: Collected

Crossing The Street

Vietnam transportation is so complex with various types of traffic, in particular, motorcycles as the most popular one. Traffic jams often occur during peak hours every day (before and after working daytime), weekends and holidays.

Photo: Bao Dan Tri

Crossing a Vietnamese street can feel scary as there are traffic signals for pedestrians. It will take some time before you feel comfortable with it. Walk slowly when crossing a street in Vietnam.  

For Your Safety

Ø  Avoid tap water, only drink bottled water.

Ø  Protect your trip with travel insurance.

Ø  Get your hotel details / maps in hand.

Ø  Take care of your belongings, and don’t bring much cash or valuable things when outside or at crowded places.

Ø  Do not show anger.

Ø  Wear appropriate clothes at the temples.

Ø  Remove footwear in temples and houses.

Ø  Be a sensitive photographer / cameraman.

Ø  Don’t take pictures of anything to do with the military, this can be considered a breach of national security.

Ø  Don’t take video cameras into small villages, it’s considered very intrusive and the people are often too polite to ask you to stop filming.

Ø  Some basic words of Vietnamese can be helpful when you are with the locals.

Ø  Using Grab or reputable taxi companies such as Mai Linh, CP group, Vina Sun…Hotel receptionists can help you with this when necessary.

Ø  Personal items: Travel hair dryer, bath towel, shaving equipment, brush & toothpaste, etc. You can bring it from your home, or you can buy it from many convenient stores when you arrive in Vietnam. These things are often set up in most hotels/hostels in Vietnam. The good idea is always carry toiletries in your daypack when you have an outside day.

Vietnam has long been well-known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, diverse culture, colonial architecture and hospitable local people. Besides, Vietnam has recently turned into a new healthcare tourism destination thanks to its fast-paced development of the medical and wellness sectors.

1. Facts

It can be simply understood that healthcare tourism means foreign travelers visiting another country in combination with medical treatments and convalescence services. And Vietnam is now a fast growing country and a preferred hub for healthcare.

The number of Vietnamese overseas and foreigners visiting for medical tourism has increased steadily over the past few years because of the significantly lower cost compared to that of Western countries. They choose Vietnam as their destination for various medical procedures such as dental care, cosmetic surgery, dermatology, cardiology intervention and fertility treatment….

Last year, more than 357,000 foreign patients visited hospitals in Vietnam for medical check-ups and treatment, with in-patients accounting for 57,000, generating revenue worth US$2 billion. Ho Chi Minh City took up 40% of the number of foreign patients. In July 2020, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in coordination with the Department of Health launched a new website on medical tourism, the first of its kind in the country. 

The website offers information about the city’s medical tourism network and medical services for tourists.

Especially, in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam is considered as one of the most successful countries to respond and prevent its infection and also treated well to many foreign travelers who were infected with Coronavirus in Vietnam. It has been recognized worldwide for health care capability and deserves to be a safe country for travel as well as healthcare treatments.

2. Healthcare system in Vietnam

Major cities such as Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City have a number of public and private hospitals with English-speaking staff. While small pharmacies are common in almost any Vietnamese cities, in the rural areas you may be far from the nearest pharmacy or hospital. In fact, many Vietnamese hospitals these days compare well against Western counterparts and in some areas, including customer service, medical care, Vietnam is even better.

2.1. Public hospitals

The number of public hospitals takes up a large portion in Vietnam’s health care system. The price of treatments and health consultations in public hospitals is more reasonable so that most local people can afford the check-ups. International tourists may find it difficult to communicate with medical staff and doctors in public hospitals because they normally only speak Vietnamese. Besides, the standards of public hospitals generally do not meet the expectations of foreigners as those in America or Europe. However, with the explosion of tourists and foreigners living in Vietnam recently, public hospitals have attempted to improve deficiencies, such as hiring English-speaking staff.

2.2.  Private hospitals

Vietnam private hospitals are very well equipped with modern facilities and high standard services. Foreign travelers will not be worried about language barriers since these private hospitals (particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) are staffed with foreign doctors from the UK, USA, Korea, Japan, Australia as well as Vietnamese doctors trained overseas. The cost of medical care in private hospitals is generally higher than that in public hospitals but still lower than that in Western countries. Credit cards and international health insurance are also accepted in Vietnam private hospitals.

3. Opportunities and Challenges

Though Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand have long got a better reputation for general healthcare, Vietnam’s political stability, affordability of healthcare and the relatively high quality of certain types of medicine are driving the incipient trend already. Vietnam stands to join Asian peers (Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan) as magnets for medical tourism with lower cost.

To tap the potential of becoming a new health care destination, the Vietnamese health sector should now set up strict rules regarding medical practices and develop a medical tourism network that meets international standards. It is very essential for all hospitals to increase investment in modern medical equipment and facilities, update advanced technology, as well as improve the professionalism, foreign language skills and professional ethics of medical experts and doctors and the attitude of medical staff.

In addition to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Danang and Phu Quoc are seen as the ideal destinations to handle medical tourists thanks to their developed infrastructure and modern hotel facilities.

Therefore, medical facilities should build close links with travel agencies and enterprises to create attractive and effective tourism products, combined with healthcare services. It is also better to enhance the communication for medical tourism which helps visitors easily find the necessary information and contribute to creating and promoting high quality medical tourism products and attracting more international tourists to Vietnam.

Source: Vietnamtravel.com