Transit passengers will be allowed to lengthen their stay in Vietnam from the current limit of five days to 15 days under a new circular issued by the Ministry of Public Security.
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The circular will take effect on August 14, 2011.
According to the ministry, foreign passengers on connection flights or transiting at international sea ports must have their application for tourist visas arranged by travel agents in advance if they plan to enter Vietnam.
The application process will take no more than one working day, according to the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Transit visa will cost USD5, much lower than tourist visa, which starts at USD25.
The government said in a statement on its website that the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam reached around three million in the first half of this year, an 18-percent increase from the same period last year and the highest-ever annual increase.
Vietnam expects to receive more than 5.5 million foreign visitors this year, the report said.
