Immigration procedures eased for cruise passengers
11:14, 2015/01/21
It took around one and a half hours, instead of 10 hours, to complete immigration procedures for a cruise ship carrying a thousand passengers last week thanks to the Prime Minister’s swift action to streamline immigration regulations for international cruise vessels.
According to tour operators, the duration of immigration processing for cruise passengers who want to take overland sightseeing tours during their ship’s short visits is now the same as before. Prior to December 31 last year, cruise tourists were required to obtain landing permission rather than visa to get onshore for sightseeing.
“We served around 2,000 passengers on board the cruise vessel Aida Sol on Friday but it took around one and a half hours to finish immigration procedures while this very ship spent around 10 hours a week earlier to do go through the immigration process,” said Phan Xuan Anh, advisor to the local tour firm Tan Hong, which specializes in serving cruise ships.
Immigration officers prepare documents in advance, and then board the ship off the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province for passport control until the vessel arrives at Tan Cang Cai Mep port of the province. Therefore, the procedures are nearly complete when the ship drops anchor, Anh said.
Under the current regulations, tour operators must provide information about tourists to the security authorities a week before a ship’s arrival. The security department will send the approved list of passengers to border control officers and travel firms.
Immigration officers will prepare landing slips in advance. However, travelers are still required to fill in an immigration form and submit their photos.
Under the decision of the Prime Minister, the immigration fee for each cruise passenger is US$5, down from the US$45 set by the new rules.
Earlier local tour operators said the new immigration regulations, effective from January 1, forced cruise passengers to spend more time and money to join overland sightseeing tours.
“We served around 2,000 passengers on board the cruise vessel Aida Sol on Friday but it took around one and a half hours to finish immigration procedures while this very ship spent around 10 hours a week earlier to do go through the immigration process,” said Phan Xuan Anh, advisor to the local tour firm Tan Hong, which specializes in serving cruise ships.
Cruise passengers of Aida Sol arrive in Tan Cang Cai Mep port of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province last Friday
|
Under the current regulations, tour operators must provide information about tourists to the security authorities a week before a ship’s arrival. The security department will send the approved list of passengers to border control officers and travel firms.
Immigration officers will prepare landing slips in advance. However, travelers are still required to fill in an immigration form and submit their photos.
Under the decision of the Prime Minister, the immigration fee for each cruise passenger is US$5, down from the US$45 set by the new rules.
Earlier local tour operators said the new immigration regulations, effective from January 1, forced cruise passengers to spend more time and money to join overland sightseeing tours.
10:06, 2024/08/31
Self-drive tours become more popular in Hanoi
The "close to home" trend can be seen in the rise of self-driving and local travel this summer.
20:31, 2024/07/17
Hanoi's camping attracts visitors seeking nature experiences
Camping in Hanoi has become increasingly trendy among urban families in recent years, adding to the appeal of the city's tourism.
21:14, 2024/06/03
Summer travel trend: Vietnamese tourists opt for nearby destinations
Due to the high cost of air tickets, many people choose to travel by train, car or fly to regional countries.
15:04, 2024/02/02
Ngoc Son Temple night tour launched in Hanoi
The real-life program is based on real historical data and legends that have been passed down and carried on at the Ngoc Son Temple for centuries.
23:41, 2024/01/17
First music album inspired by Temple of Literature released
This is an artistic product of the Temple of Literature's night tour experience program.
16:10, 2023/12/31
New routes to explore heritage road in Hanoi
These routes are expected to be a premise for travel businesses to build new tours connecting localities.
- South Korean tourism pays tribute to Hanoi travel agents
- Hanoi's MICE tourism promises vigorous year-end growth
- Agritourism for building new style rural areas in Hanoi
- The digital evolution of stage art
- 3D mapping night tour pilot at Hanoi Temple of Literature
- ASEAN-Korea Center releases video on Hanoi tourism highlights