19 June 2018

VIETNAM EXTENDS VISA WAIVER FOR BRITISH CITIZENS FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS

The Government of Vietnam has confirmed a further extension of its visa exemption programme for United Kingdom passport holders - valid for single-entry stays of up to 15 days - for three more years. First introduced in 2015, the policy also applies to French, German, Spanish and Italian nationals. This latest extension, until 30 July 2021, is the longest extension period yet.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, over six million people visited the country in the first five months of this year, representing a 27.6 per cent increase on last year's figures. In its Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2017 Vietnam report, the World Travel & Tourism Council has also forecast that Vietnam's annual tourism revenues will continue to grow by six per cent by 2027, to VND398,329 billion (USD17.9 billion).

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines operates the UK's only nonstop scheduled services to Vietnam, with daily Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights from Heathrow T4 to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, offering SkyTrax 4-star rated service across three cabin classes.  The flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions, and offer excellent onward connections domestically within Vietnam, to Indo-China and to 30 destinations in Asia and onward to Australia.

Return fares from Heathrow to Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £463 per person, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

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Notes to editorsVietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines is the flag carrier of Vietnam and the major carrier in the Mekong sub-region, operating 90 routes to 20 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day. Vietnam Airlines has been certified as a 4-Star Airline for 2 consecutive years by the prestigious Skytrax, the world's leading airline and airport rating organization. During 22 years of development at a 2-digit annual growth rate, Vietnam Airlines has achieved a remarkable advancement to become a major airline in Asia's aviation market. In June 2010, Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam Alliance, affirming the carrier's new position on the global aviation map as a strategic partner of the alliance in Southeast Asia region. In 2015, Vietnam Airlines became the first airline in the world to operate both next-generation aircraft- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner & Airbus A350-9XWB- at the same time. Positioning itself as a modern carrier whose brand is characterized by Vietnam's rich culture and national identity, Vietnam Airlines is striving to become one of the most favorable carriers in the Asia-Pacific region.

For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

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