Richard Kenneth Wilson from the UK- the first foreign visitor was granted Vietnam's e-visa- arrived in HCM City on February 4.

He was also welcomed by representatives of the municipal Tourism Department. 

Mr Wilson received his e-visa on February 1 , the first day of the enforcement of a government decree on e-visa granting.

The granting of 30-day single-entry electronic visas to citizens from 40 countries is expected to be a breakthrough in attracting foreign tourists to Vietnam. 

“We expect a surge in foreign arrivals following visa procedure simplification. The number of foreign tourists to HCM city is likely to reach 6 million this year instead of 5.6 million as previously forecast," said Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the HCM City Toursim Department.

An estimated 250,000 foreign tourists visited HCM city during Tet, the traditional Lunar New Year Festival. The pilot e-visa granting is implemented in two years.

VOV