South Korea simplifies visa procedures for Vietnamese visitors.
According to information from the Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam, the Korean diplomatic mission in Vietnam has signed agreements with 15 travel companies in Hanoi and 20 travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City to cooperate in simplifying visa procedures for Vietnamese tourists visiting Korea.
Accordingly, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Korea, the Korean Embassy in Vietnam will expand the eligibility criteria for multiple-entry visas to South Korea and simplify visa procedures, effective from July 10, 2017.
This move by South Korea aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and South Korea, promote the expansion of exchanges in all fields, align with the development of relations between the two countries, and alleviate difficulties for visa applicants due to complex application procedures and slow processing times.
 The signing ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City. |
Accordingly, on July 6, 2017, the Korean Embassy, along with 15 designated travel agencies in Hanoi, signed a cooperation agreement to enhance the attraction of Vietnamese tourists to Korea. Following this, on July 7, 2017, the Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City also signed a cooperation agreement with 20 designated travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City.
Therefore, from July 10, 2017, the visa processing time for tourists applying through designated travel agencies has been reduced to 5 working days for regular tourists and 3 working days for those traveling on incentive tours.
In addition, the eligibility criteria for multiple-entry visas to South Korea will be expanded, and the procedures for applying for a South Korean tourist visa, especially regarding financial proof, have been significantly simplified.
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| South Korea is an attractive destination for many Vietnamese tourists. (Illustrative image: Internet) |
“Along with expanding the eligibility criteria for multiple-entry visas to Korea and simplifying visa application procedures for Vietnamese tourists, the Korea Tourism Organization hopes to bring convenience to Vietnamese people and simultaneously anticipates that the ‘Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries will grow even stronger. In the future, we will strengthen our promotional efforts to develop unique Korean tourism products to provide Vietnamese tourists with wonderful experiences when traveling to Korea,” said Mr. Jung Chang Wook, Chief Representative of the Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam.
In 2016, the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting South Korea reached 251,402, a 54.5% increase compared to 2015. As of July 9, 2017, the total number of Vietnamese tourists to South Korea had reached 177,976, a 29.8% increase compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates that Vietnam is one of the leading markets in Southeast Asia for South Korean tourism.
According to Toquoc
