Vietnam wants to abolish visas for Russian citizens since January 2009. Freely enter the country, Russians can only for 15 days. For tourists traveling to Vietnam for a longer term, all will remain the same: they will put the visa either at the airport or at the consulate. True, the official authorities of Russia and Vietnam to comment on this subject do not give.
On Monday, it was reported that Vietnam may lift visas for Russian tourists from January 1, 2009. On Monday, said Wu Tkhe Binh, director of the Department of Tourism Vietnam National Government on Tourism, the Vietnamese network edition Tuoi Tre, which, in turn, quoted an agency Reuters.
Rule will act only for those who intend to stay in Vietnam does not exceed 15 days. For tourists who plan a longer trip, everything will remain the same. Now the Russians get a visa on arrival at the airport - she works 30 days. Long-term visas are issued to those intending to stay for a longer period.
To date, Vietnam abolished entry visas for visitors from Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden coming into the country for 15 days.
earlier that Vietnam is ready to meet the Russians, said Sept. 16 at the talks Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Government, Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem. "Also, we were talking about this at a meeting of Russian and Vietnamese tour operators, which plans to abolish visas for Russians, said Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan this country Anh - told Gazeta.ru" press secretary of Russian Union of Tour Operators Irina Tyurina. - But, as we understand it is only planned ».
Indeed, the official abolition of visas had not yet reported any representatives of Vietnam, nor the Russian Foreign Ministry. "We have no information that Vietnam has decided to introduce a visa regime", - reported to Gazeta.ru in the Department of Press and Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Tour operators themselves also prefer to wait for the official announcement of the news: talk about the visa regime with Vietnam last two years. Nevertheless, in case of cancellation of visas tour operators expect an expansion of travel routes.
Among popular tours - Visit Cambodia and Viet Nam and Laos and Vietnam. Starting from September 1, 2007 to Russian citizens for visits to Laos for a period of 15 days visa is not required. A Cambodian visa is placed at the destination airport. "One visa-free stay in the two countries need to attract tourists," - said vice-president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Vladimir Kantorovich. According to the Russian Union of Travel Agencies, for the first 7 months of 2008 Vietnam attended the 31,400 Russian tourists. This is 114.8% higher than the same period last year. "Vietnamese colleagues for 5-6 years managed to transform Vietnam from an unknown country to Russians in the trendy tourist destination," - said at a meeting of Russian and Vietnamese tour operators president of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST), Sergei Shpilko, reported at the PCT. According to forecasts, by 2010 Vietnam will visit 5,5-6 million and earnings from tourism reached -5 million
However, along with such bright prospects for tourism operators also point to potential problems. One of the factors constraining flow of tourists to Vietnam is a small number of flights. And those who have enjoyed great popularity among the Vietnamese workers and businessmen. This year, as we are assured of the Russian Union of Tour Operators, we can speak about a substantial increase in air traffic. In particular, as reported by Interfax, announced just two charter chains from Moscow in Ho Chi Minh Transaero Airlines - which is twice last year's volumes. These flights will be operated from November 1 until the end of March, but the tour operators do not exclude that the program may be extended until the end of May or even declared as a year-round. From Moscow, will and two flights of Aeroflot in Hanoi, and two flights of Vietnam Airlines in Hanoi and one - in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the weekly flight to Hanoi said the airline "Vladivostok Avia" from Vladivostok. For the first time in a long chain of Ho Chi Minh City said the airline S7 Airlines, it will fly from Novosibirsk to once every two weeks. Another drawback of Vietnam - a small number of Russian-speaking guides and their level of language skills. The fact that Vietnam guides can only work local citizens. Tours can also be a Vietnamese - a graduate of a Russian university, if it will pass a supplementary examination in their homeland. However, it is hoped that with increasing number of Russian tourists local authorities to solve this problem.

Text: Anastasia Berseneva
Photo: ABLESTOCK/EAST NEWS