The Department of Travel under VNAT said the Government Office announced the Prime Minister had agreed to a request of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the extension in line with the extended tourism promotion.

Vietnam’s tourism agency early this year launched the Impressive Vietnam program offering discounts of 30%-50% for visitors buying package tours from travel agencies in the program.

To help the country’s tourism attract more foreigners, the Government in May agreed to exempt visa fees for foreigners who enter Vietnam on these package tours.

The Department of Travel said more than 20 travel companies had registered for their guests to enjoy free visas.

Despite efforts from the tourism sector, international tourists in Vietnam are still lower than last year.

In related news, the Prime Minister issued a regulation to map out and realize the national tourism promotion program for 2009-2010.

Under the regulation, the Prime Minister assigns the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to collect, classify, approve and realize the national tourism promotion program every year. Each program should combine activities to promote tourism, trade, investment and culture.

The regulation stipulates that programs to promote the country’s tourism via local and foreign media, tourism conferences, meetings, events and other activities will receive financial support from the State.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism Market under VNAT, said the budget which the regulation mentions belongs to the Trade, Investment, and Tourism Promotion fund. Along with the budget, the country’s tourism is supported by the National Action Program on Tourism.