The extension of visa exemption period involving Myanmar and Vietnam from 14 days to 30 days may not yield many benefits for Myanmar travellers, said Naung Naung Han, chairman of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.
The agreement on free visa extension for Myanmar and Vietnamese travellers holding ordinary passports was signed on the second-day visit of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 17.
Moreover, the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in agriculture and rural development, the action plan (2019-2024) and the MoU on cooperation between the two foreign ministries were also signed.
"There will be nothing special for Myanmar travellers. In tour programmes for Vietnam, most last about five days or one week. Previously, we had two weeks. There can be benefits for some inbound and outbound tours. Two weeks is already enough for us. But, the more days we have, the better it is for us," said the chairman.
Likewise, Vietnamese coming to Myanmar stays a maximum of about five days.
"Vietnamese visitors don't stay in Yangon for long. They usually take about three days to visit places such as Yangon and the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. Some go to Bagan. They don't have a long stay," said Naung Naung Han.
From January to October 2019, 43,146 Vietnamese visitors came to Myanmar. The number decreased by 691 as last year saw 43,842, according to the figures from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
