Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Vietnam will lift visa requirements for foreign visitors to the southern resort island of Phu Quoc, which the government wants to develop into a leading ecological tourist site, media and officials said Tuesday.

Foreigners and overseas Vietnamese will no longer require visas if they spend less than 15 days on the island, known for its white sandy beaches, Tuoi Tre newspaper said. The new rule is to take effect Oct. 1, it said.

Foreigners who transit another border gate in Vietnam en route to Phu Quoc also benefit from the exemption policy. The exemption applies to holders of passports remaining valid for at least 45 days, Tuoi Tre said.

"It's very good news for us," AP news agency quoted Bui Nhu Y, administrative head of the island, as saying. "It would help boost tourism in the island."

Currently, there are two flights to Phu Quoc from Ho Chi Minh City and one flight and two boat trips from southern Rach Gia city.

There is no international checkpoint on Phu Quoc, but foreigners can go to the island from Ho Chi Minh City, Y said.

In 2004, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai approved a master plan to develop Phu Quoc into one of Vietnam's top ecological tourist sites by 2010, the official said.

Last year, the island received more than 100,000 tourists, including 35,000 foreigners.

Vietnam has unilaterally lifted visa requirements for citizens from Japan, South Korea and Scandinavian countries.

The country has reciprocal visa-free agreements with Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos, which are all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

(Source: AP, Tuoi Tre – Compiled by The Vinh)
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 20 September, 2005, 12:13:23 (GMT+7)
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