Vietnam scraps visas for brit tourists

Halong Bay, Vietnam Photo: Lawrence Murray

Vietnam has scrapped the need for tourist visas this summer.

The new rules will come into effect from 1st July 2015 and run until the end of June next year. The policy will apply to visitors from France, German, Spain, Italy and the UK.

The decision was announced at the Mekong Tourism Forum this month, reports The Telegraph, in an attempt to boost the country's flagging tourism figures. Indeed, visits from China have dwindled since the countrys fell into dispute over the South China Sea islands.

For Brits, that means those travelling to the country can expect to save at least £54 on the cost of a single-entry visa, which is currently required to visit.

Laurence Hicks, managing director at Wendy Wu Tours, welcomed the news: "We are delighted that Vietnam is further opening its doors to UK and EU tourism by relaxing the visa rules. It is a move towards recognition that UK and EU visitors are undeniably valuable to Vietnam’s tourism economy."

Wu says that the company's bookings have already risen year-on-year in 2015, as interest from international tourists rises.