Vietnam to lift visa requirements for British travellers

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Good news for travellers to south east Asia: Vietnam is to lift visa requirements for British travellers.

The Vietnamese government announced it is waiving visas for UK passport holders for single-entry stays of up to 15 days. The new policy, which also applies to French, German, Spanish and Italian nationals will run on trial from July 1 this year until June 30, 2016.

The changes will also come into effect in time for the launch of brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on Vietnam Airlines’ nonstop services from Heathrow.

Vietnam Airlines’ new Dreamliners will feature in-flight WiFi and fully flat beds in Business Class, and passengers will also benefit from larger windows and stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity and cleaner air, lower cabin pressure and a smoother, quieter ride.

SkyTeam member Vietnam Airlines will be the first airline to operate the new B787-9 Dreamliner nonstop between Southeast Asia and Europe, with Heathrow becoming the first international destination on the Vietnam Airlines network to be served by the new aircraft. Frequencies will rise from four flights to five or six flights per week between Heathrow and Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City following the deployment of the Dreamliners, before increasing to a daily service for Summer 2016.

Return fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi currently start from £461 or £505 per person respectively, inclusive of taxes. See vietnamairlines.com.