Jun. 8 – In an effort to boost tourism, Vietnam is implementing new policies to cut taxes and offer value added tax refunds to tourists.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai speaking at a recent forum held in Ho Chi Minh City, said that cars with 25 seats or more meant to be used for tourism purposes will be exempt from import tax.
Entertainment services at the top hotels will also be extended until 2 a.m. instead of midnight. Vietnam will set-up shopping centers that will refund VAT to tourists. Rest stations will also be built along popular tourism routes and tourist buses will be allowed on selected major streets during peak hour in Hanoi.
According to the General Statistics Office, tourists to the country amounted 1.6 million during the first five months of the year, a drop of 22 percent compared to the same period last year.
In May, 292,000 foreigners toured Vietnam, 1.1 percent lower compared to the previous month. Tourism industry experts cite that it was not just the global economic crisis hampered tourist arrivals but also the lack of quality domestic tourism services.
