Press releases

HANOI, 9 December (BelTA) – Holidays in Vietnam may become more affordable and cheaper for Belarusian travelers, Sport and Tourism Minister of Belarus Alexander Shamko told media on 9 December, BelTA informs.

The talks between the Presidents of Belarus and Vietnam in Hanoi on 9 December resulted in the signing of the tourism cooperation plan for 2016-2018. According to the minister, Belarus and Vietnam have prospects in developing cooperation in this sector. “We have unrealized initiatives that may attract Vietnamese tourists to Belarus and make trips to Vietnam more affordable and cheaper for Belarusians,” said Alexander Shamko. In his words, there is good climate in Vietnam. Apart from that, Vietnam has recently made a set of measures to develop its infrastructure.

According to the minister, he and his Vietnamese counterpart discussed the possibility of launching direct flights between Belarus and Vietnam. The move is seen as an opportunity to increase the number of tourists between the two countries.

The parties also agreed to set up a ministerial working group to look through visa and other related issues. For example, Belarus may facilitate visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens, allowing visa-free group trips, the same as it is available in China. Vietnam has already facilitated its visa regime with Belarus.

Alexander Shamko also noted that the parties reached agreements on cooperation in the sport sector. “Vietnam shows interest in the training of its students and retraining of its coaches. I think we can closely cooperate in this field,” he said.