Rise of visa fees of up to 80% could affect short stay tourism in Vietnam and deter Asian travellers to visit the country.
HANOI- Since January 1st 2013, Vietnam increased visa fees by 80%. The new amount to be paid upon arrival at immigration are now the following: the stamping fee for Single Entry VOA, valid for 30 days, went up from US$ 25 to US$ 45 while the visa for a multiple entry VOA, also valid for 30 days, increased from US$ 50 to US$ 65 for one month and up to US$ 95 for a time period of up to six months. For a multiple-entry visa of over six month-validity, the visa fee increase is of 35%, from US$ 100 to US$ 135.
The increase is only related to visa fees for VOAs. Other visa fees have been unaffected. Although the increase is unlikely to dent the number of total arrivals from long-haul markets, it could however have a serious negative impact on last minute short stay. While a US$ 20 hike in the visa fee might seem anything but dramatic, it could however represent a significant increase in the case of a family as it could make up to US$ 380 for a multiple-entry visa for a family of four persons compared to last year total fee of US$ 180 for a group of four people.
Only countries to escape the sharp increase in visas are the one benefiting from are Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, Japan, South Korea and Russia, while citizens of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore are not required to apply for an incoming visa.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
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