Vietnam appoints private to handle visas from Bengal

Vietnam has authorized Mumbai-based travel planner firm Cox & Kings (C&K) to accept visa applications from West Bengal, its envoy to India said Tuesday.

"Facilitation of visa services is one of the priorities of the embassy (of Vietnam). Through the visa application center (of C&K) in Kolkata, I strongly believe that Indian travelers from West Bengal will find a faster and reliable way to obtain visa to visit our beautiful and friendly country," Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh told media persons here.

The Indian company is now the only authorised visa service provider for Vietnam in the state.

The company said the process of obtaining the Vietnamese visa will take approximately five working days.

Vietnam has seen a moderate increase in tourist arrivals pegged at 7,874,312, a four percent increase in 2014. While China, South Korea and Japan accounts for most of the visitors, the country is keen to attract Indians this year.