VISA FEE FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS BACK TO US$5 PER PAX

Travel firms that specialize in arranging local port visits and overland tours for passengers expressed concern over the new rules, saying the rules would discourage cruise travelers from buying overland tours as they were required to fill in a visa application form, pay US$45 for a visa and wait long for immigration officers to use multiple seals for stamping their passports.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung late last week told the Ministry of Public Security to work with relevant agencies to streamline visa procedures for passengers on board foreign cruise ships and the Ministry of Finance to lower the fee.

Accordingly, immigration officers would issue a landing slip for visitors upon arrival at a fee of US$5 if they want to go ashore for sightseeing.

Travel enterprises have hailed the PM’s swift action, saying it makes life easier for them and cruise tourists.

Cruise tourists will spend a much shorter time to get a landing slip, said Vu Duy Vu, deputy general director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company. Travel agencies can help complete procedures in advance for cruise tourists.

Before the Prime Minister’s move, a number of foreign cruise lines complained about the new time-consuming and costly immigration requirements as it takes many hours to have their passports stamped, leaving little time for their guests to go sightseeing overland.

At present, local tour operators expect relevant agencies to quickly issue documents guiding implementation of the PM’s measures to encourage cruise lines to bring their customers to the country.

Source: The Saigon Times