Vietnam waives visa fees to entice tourists for shopping spree

Foreign visitors to Vietnam in August and September will have their visa fees waived as part of a national shopping promotion program.
The government will also allow foreign tourists to claim refund of value added tax (VAT) when they buy goods during the two months under the “Impressive Vietnam Grand Sale 2010” program, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
Meanwhile, many shops, trade centers, and service providers in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City have pledged to offer discounts of 10-40 percent to both local and foreign tourists during the promotion.
Vietnam attracted 1.35 million foreign visitors in the first quarter this year, a 36 percent year-on-year increase.
The country hopes to welcome 4.2 million visitors this year.