Vietnam visa exemption countries

Nationals of certain countries may visit Vietnam without visa for a period of time, here under is the list of countries and regions that have visa exemption arrangements with Vietnam.

Country	Length of Residence
Singapore	Less than 30 days
Malaysia	Less than 30 days
Thailand	Less than 30 days
Philipine	Less than 30 days
Laos	Less than 30 days
Indonesia	Less than 30 days
Japan	15 days
South Korea	15 days
Sweden	15 days
Denmark	15 days
Finland	15 days
Norway	15 days
Russia	15 days

Special:

Citizens of Chile with valid Diplomatic passport no need visa for Vietnam less than 60 days.
APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holder may visit Vietnam less than 60 days.

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AirAsia resume Kuala Lumpur - Da Nang service

AirAsia will resume flights between Kuala Lumpur-Danang route starting 29 August after suspending the service last year. The airline will fly Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Using an Airbus A320, AK648 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 1135 and arrive in Danang at1330. The return flight AK649 will depart Danang at 1400 and arrive Kuala Lumpur at 1755.

AirAsia  first introduced Danang to its schedule in 16 December 2011, but terminated the route 10 June 2013 to rearrange its schedule.

The Kuala Lumpur-Danang service is the low-cost carrier’s third route to Vietnam after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In 2009, Singapore-based SilkAir became the first foreign carrier to operate to Vietnam’s third largest city, although that honour from Bangkok would go to PB Air that flew to Danang in the early 2000s before going bust.

Danang is the closest city to Hoi An and Hue world heritage sites and is home to new golf courses and five-star resorts on beaches just outside the city. There was talk last year that THAI Smile would open a route to Danang, but the airline has been bogged down with company structure issues and making a profit on domestic routes.  Danang was  put on the back burner.

The route will be AirAsia’s third destination to Vietnam from Malaysia, apart from flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

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Vietnam to offer tax refunds for tourists

Dulichbui's Blog - The government has decided to pilot a value-added-tax refund scheme for foreign visitors in July in an attempt to boost sales of local products.

Foreigners who make purchases in Vietnam and leave the country via Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will receive VAT reimbursements, according to statement on the government’s website.

The goods are required to be brand new and not on the list of prohibited items. A valid invoice with a value of at least VND2 million (US$95) and a tax claim statement are required.

Commercial banks selected to handle the tax repayments are allowed to charge a service fee of up to 15 percent of the refund value. The refund will be made in Vietnam dong and can be converted to other currencies accordingly.

The pilot program will last from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014. Retailers must register with the authorities to join the scheme, the government said in the statement. 

Thanh Nien News

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Bangkok Flood Updates (November 7th, 2011)

The flooding situation in Thailand is mainly affecting the central provinces along the Chao Phraya River including Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Other popular tourist destinations in the central region including Pattaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi and Ko Chang have not been affected by the floods. Tourist destinations in the south of Thailand including Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Phang-Nga; and in the north including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai, also have not been affected by the floods.

Flood waters in Ayutthaya and some other central provinces have begun to subside, although many areas are not yet fully accessible. Tourist attractions in Ayutthaya will reopen once they have been restored.

Events relating to Loy Krathong, an ancient tradition that has been celebrated since the Sukhothai Era, will still take place in many locations throughout Thailand including Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Hat Yai and Surat Thani during November 8th to 10th. Some Loy Krathong events have been cancelled in Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Suphanburi due to the flood.

Situation in Bangkok

Areas flooded in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area includes suburbs in the east and west, the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and districts in the northern part of the city. In central Bangkok, businesses, hotels, shops and tourist attractions remain open as per normal in areas including:

• Khao San Road

• Ratchaprasong (Central World area)

• Phetchaburi Road

• Sathorn

• Ploenchit/ Chidlom

• Siam Square/ MBK/ Siam Paragon

• Pratunam

• Silom/ Surawongse

• Rama 1 Road

• Sukhumvit Road/ The Emporium

• Rama 4 Road

• Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Given the rapidly changing nature of the flooding situation in Bangkok, visitors should also check multiple sources of information to make an informed decision about whether they should visit central Bangkok at the present time.

The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are operating normally at this time. Visitors are advised to check with the BTS and MRT regarding the current status of their operations. Taxis and tuk tuks are available as per usual. Many BMTA bus routes have been rerouted or suspended due to the flooding. Express boat services on the Chao Phraya River have also been suspended, as have most water-related tourist activities.

Transportation

Airports

Bangkok is served by two airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main gateway to Thailand with 120 international and domestic airlines, remains open. It has considerable flood protection measures in place. Suvarnabhumi Airport is also the main connector for international arrivals to domestic flights serving tourist destinations throughout Thailand such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Surat Thani. Domestic flights are operating as per normal between Suvarnabhumi Airport and other airports in Thailand.

Transportation to and from the airport into central Bangkok including taxis, buses and the Airport Rail Link have not been affected by the floods and are operating normally. Highways from the airport to tourist destinations southeast of Bangkok such as Pattaya, Rayong and Ko Chang are open.

Don Mueang Airport, the old international airport, is closed due to flooding. The two domestic airlines operating from Don Mueang have temporarily switched their operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

A “Tourist Assistance Center” is set up on the 3rd floor of Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan Station to facilitate tourists’ transport from hotels in central Bangkok to the airport. TAT and Thai Hotels Association (THA) are providing free transportation from hotels to Makkasan Station. The Tourist Police will assist tourists at Makkasan Station and at the airport. Tourists who would like to use this service can contact the Tourist Assistance Center via the TAT Call Center at 1672, or the Tourist Police at 1155.

State Railway of Thailand and inter-provincial bus services:

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and inter-provincial bus services are operating as per usual in areas that are not affected by the floods. In Bangkok and other areas affected by the floods, the SRT and inter-provincial bus service operators are adjusting their routes to best serve passengers given the disruptions caused by the flooding. Inter-provincial buses from Bangkok to southern provinces are leaving from a temporary station with shuttle services to and from the Southern Bus Terminal, also known as Sai Tai Mai.

Train services to northeastern Thailand are operating as per normal. Train services to the northern provinces are operating between Hua Lamphong station in central Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Trains to the north are being rerouted around flooded areas, adding approximately two hours of travel time. Train services to the southern provinces are operating from Hua Lamphong station or Nakhon Pathom if required due to flooding in Bangkok’s western suburbs. The SRT is providing shuttle bus services between Hua Lamphong station and Nakhon Pathom when needed. Travelers are advised to check in advance with these operators and may want to consider flying to their destinations within Thailand.

Accommodation

For Tourist who would like to move to /check in at hotel in unaffected area in Bangkok and other city of Thailand, Check out the below information

• Sukhumvit Area

• Siam Square Area

• Pratunam Area

• Khaosan Area

• Silom Area

• Sathorn Area

• Suvarnabhumi Airport Area

• Petchburi Area

• Ploenchit / Chidlom Area

• China Town Area

• Ratchaprasong Area

Attractions

• Future Park Rangsit closed

• Dream World closed

• Central Pinklao closed

• Central Ramindra closed

• Central Ladprao closed

• Chatuchak weekend market closed

• Fashion Island closed

• The Mall Bang Kae closed

Chatuchak market open as usual

The Chatuchak weekend market is still open as usual although floodwater is swelling through the drains at a section next to the army's Land Transport Department on Phahon Yothin road, market's deputy director Tinakorn Rujirong announced on Sunday. Pumps are being used to drain water out and keep the market dry.

Vehicles can enter the market through Gate No 1. About 50 per cent of the shops have been opened.

The water level outside the market this morning was 50-60 centimetres high.

Photo: Bangkok Post

USEFUL NUMBERS:

• Government Call Center: 1111 ext 5

• Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Hotline: 1784

• Royal Irrigation Department Hotline: 1460

• Emergency Medical Institute Hotline: 1669

• Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Hotline: 1555

• BMS’s flood response center 02-2485115

• Highway Hotline: 1586

• Highway Police: 1193

• State Railway of Thailand Hotline: 1690

• Transport Co. Hotline: 1490

• JS100 community radio: 1137

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand

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Thailand Flooding Update (Oct 23, 2011)

Over the past several weeks, seasonal rains that are heavier than usual have resulted in widespread flooding in Thailand. While the flooding is having some impact on tourism, most key tourist destinations and attractions throughout Thailand have not been affected by the floods and almost all remain open. 

Bangkok Flood Round Up (Bangkok Post)

The floods are mainly affecting the provinces in central Thailand and a few provinces in the north and northeast. Flood waters in some provinces in northern Thailand have begun to subside. Provinces in the south of Thailand have not been affected by the floods. Ayutthaya has been the only tourist destination widely affected by the floods, while other provinces where tourists generally go have been slightly impacted.

Major tourist destinations such as central Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Ko Samui, and all

provinces in southern Thailand, are not affected by the floods. They remain fully accessible and are experiencing normal weather conditions for this time of year.

All airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, have not been affected by the floods and are operating as per usual. Suvarnabhumi Airport has considerable flood protection measures in place and officials are monitoring the situation closely.

Flood waters are being drained through Bangkok’s system of canals in a controlled manner. Most areas of central Bangkok where tourists normally go are not flooded and fully accessible. Some of the city’s outlying suburbs and areas along the Chao Phraya River are experiencing localized flooding. The government has enacted measures under which military personnel are helping to protect central Bangkok and key transportation facilities such as Suvarnabhumi Airport from flooding.

Tourist destinations in the north, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Sukhothai, are best accessed by air as some roads and railways in the central provinces are closed due to the floods. Provinces in southern and eastern Thailand remain fully accessible by road and train.

Train services from Bangkok to northern destinations are suspended due to the tracks being flooded. The

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering full refunds on tickets for travelers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended. Train services to other parts of Thailand are available as per normal.

Tourists planning to travel to the provinces affected by the floods are advised to check the latest weather forecasts for their destination and confirm arrangements with the transportation providers with which they will be travelling. Tourists can call the TAT Information Line at 1672 to check local conditions, or visit the Thailand Meteorological Department web site at http://www.tmd.go.th/en for updated weather forecasts.

Major events going ahead as planned include

• Phimai Festival, from November 9th to 13th, at Phimai Historical Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province
• The 5th Thailand International Balloon Festival in Chiang Mai from November 25th to 27th.
• Loi Krathong Festival and Candle Festival in Sukhothai, from November 8th and November 10th at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
• The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Fair 2011 in Chiang Mai, although the opening date has been moved back from November 9th to December 16th.

T.A.T Update (Oct 23, 2011)

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Travel news: Flooding in Thailand 2011 (update)

The current flooding is having some impact on tourism. Key tourist destinations and attractions across Thailand are not damaged by the floods and most are open. Provinces in the other parts of Thailand including the northeast, east, west and south are not affected by the floods. Major tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Loei, Phuket, Krabi and Samui are experiencing normal weather conditions. 

Flooding in Bangkok - Photo: Reuters

The floods are mainly affecting land in low-lying agricultural areas and adjacent to major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River. Warnings of heavy rains resulting in localized flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas or areas adjacent to waterways have been issued for several provinces.

Certain areas of several provinces in north and central Thailand including Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Kampheang Phet, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Mahasarakham, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Prachin Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, and Uthai Thani have been affected by floods due to heavier-than-usual seasonal rains.

The crest of the floodwaters is currently passing through Bangkok. Most parts of the city have not been affected, while flooding is occurring in some areas adjacent to the Chao Phraya River. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has comprehensive flood control measures in place and is monitoring the situation closely.

All airports throughout Thailand are operating as per normal. Train services from Bangkok to northern destinations beyond Lop Buri are suspended, with only limited services in the areas affected by the flooding.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering full refunds on tickets for travelers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended. Travelers can contact the SRT Call Center at 1690 for updates regarding train services. Highway 32, also known as The Asian Highway (AH-2), is partly affected by the floods and closed from Km 21 to Km 39 in Ayutthaya province.

Tourists planning to travel to the provinces affected by the floods are advised to check the latest weather forecasts for their destination and confirm arrangements with the transportation providers with which they will be travelling. Tourists can also call the TAT Information Line at 1672 to check local conditions, or visit the Thailand Meteorological Department web site at http://www.tmd.go.th/en for updated weather forecasts.

Attractions and roads affected by flooding as of 7 October 2011

Ang Thong

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding. Visitors should use alternate routes:

- Pho Thong – Ang Thong Road

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding

- Wat Ang Thong Worawihan

- Wat Chaiyo Worawihan

- Wat Khun Inthapramun

- Wat Pamok Worawihan

Chai Nat

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- The Chao Phraya River Crossing Bridge, in front of Wat Thammamun Worawihan - Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao

- Some parts of Highway 3183

- Chai Nat – Manorom Road

- The weir on Chao Phraya Dam Road

- Highway 1 Chai Nat – Tar Klee

Visitors should use alternate routes, such as:

- To Amphoe Muang, Chai Nat: use Highway 340 Bang Bua Thong – Suphan Buri – Chai Nat

- To Nakhon Sawan or other northern provinces: use The Asian Highway (AH-2), also known as Highway 32

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding

- Ton Nam Tha Chin Market

- Wat Khao Tha Phra

- Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao

- Wat Thammamun Worawihan

Chaiyaphum

Attractions affected by flooding but remain open

- Attractions in Amphoe Ban Khwao, Chaiyaphum province

- Tat Ton National Park - water-related activities are temporarily suspended as flash flood warnings have been issued

Kalasin

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Lam Pao Wildlife Conservation Development and Promotion Station or Suan Sa-On

Kampheang Phet

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Khlong Lan National Park

- Wat Phra Borom That Nakhon Chum

Khon Kaen

Attraction temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Nam Phong National Park

Lamphun:

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- Highway 106 Amphoe Li - Amphoe Ban Hong, in Lamphun province

Lop Buri

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding

- Highway 2275 Chai Badan – Bueng Sam Phan Road, Km. 0-4

- Lop Buri Bypass, Km. 8-19

- Lop Buri – Sing Buri Road, Km. 159-166

- Lop Buri – Pho Kao Ton Road, Km. 76-94

Visitors should use alternate routes, such as

- Highway 21 Chai Badan – Si Thep Road

- The Asian Highway Network

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Khao Samo Khon

- Wat Cheng Tha

- Wat Kung Tha Lao

- Wat Lai

- Wat Manee Cholkhan

- Wat Samor Khon

- Wat Thammikaram

- Wat Tong Pu

- Wat Yang Na Rangsi and the Lop Buri Boat Museum

Mae Hong Son

The following road should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- Route to Salawin River, Mae Sa Rieng – Mae Sam Lab Road

Mahasarakham

Attraction temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Kosumphee Forest Park

Nakhon Nayok

Attraction temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Sarika Waterfall

Nakhon Pathom

Attractions affected by flooding but remain open:

- Bang Luang Old Market

- Khlong Maha Sawat

Nakhon Ratchasima

Attractions affected by flooding but remain open:

- Sai Ngam in Phimai

- Khao Yai National Park and Tab Lan National Park - water-related activities are temporarily

suspended as flash flood warnings have been issued

Nakhon Sawan

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- In Buri – Tak Fa Road

- Nakhon Sawan – Kam Pheang Phet Bypass

- Road between Amphoe Krok Phra in Nakhon Sawan – Uthai Thani

- Highway 117 Nakhon Sawan – Phichit – Phitsanulok

- Route to Amphoe Chum Saeng, Nakhon Sawan province

- Route to Mae Wong National Park

- Route to Wat Pa Siri Wattana Wisut

- Tar Klee – Ban Mi Road

Visitors should use alternate routes, such as:

- Kam Pheang Phet – Phichit – Phitsanulok Road

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Attractions, restaurants, hotels and lodging along the Chao Phraya River

- Bung Boraphet & Water Bird Park

- Ko Yom

- Thepharak Shrine

- Wat Kei Chai Nua

- Wat Ko Hong

- Wat Pa Siri Wattana Wisut

- Wat Phra Prang Leuang & Retro Weekend Market

- Wat Takien Leuan

Nakhon Sawan’s traditional Long-tailed Boat Competition is postponed from 7-16 October 2011 until 15-24 November 2011.

Phichit

Attractions affected by flooding but remain open:

- Wat Pho Prathap Chang, Amphoe Pho Prathap Chang

- Wat Hirunyaram (Wat Bang Klan), Amphoe Pho Talay

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding. Visitors should use alternate routes:

- Route to Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine and Wat Thalo, Amphoe Thalo

- Route to Nakhon Chai Baworn Forest Park

- Route to Wat Puttha Ket Mongkol

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine, Amphoe Thalo

- Nakhon Chai Baworn Forest Park, Amphoe Pho Talay

- Wat Puttha Ket Mongkol (Wat Thewa Prasat), Amphoe Taphan Hin

Phitsanulok

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Night Bazaar

- Suan Chom Nan Park

Prachin Buri

Attraction temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Prachin Buri National Museum

Saraburi

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- Highway 3034 Na Phra Lan – Cement plant at Ban Mor Road, km. 14-16

Visitors should use alternate routes, such as:

- Phra Putthabat – Ban Mo Road

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Ban Ton Tan Floating Market

- Thai Yuan Cultural Study Centre

Sing Buri

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding. Visitors should use

alternate routes:

- Highway 309 Sing Buri – Ang Thong

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- In Buri National Museum

- Pak Bang Market

- Wat Amphawan

- Wat Klang Thanarin

- Wat Kudi Thong

- Wat Muang

- Wat Sutthawas

Sukhothai

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- Highway 1195 to Sukhothai Airport

- Khlong Pho Junction on Route 12 from the center of Sukhothai to Sukhothai Historical Park

Visitors should use alternate routes, such as:

- From Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai: Use roads that pass through Phichit and Phitsanulok

- To Sukhothai Airport: Use Highway 101

Suphan Buri

The following road should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- Highway 340

Visitors should use alternate routes, such as:

- Highway 321

- Highway 333

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Wat Manao

- Wat Pu Bua

- Wat Pho Charoen

- Wat Phrao

- Wat Sam Pasiu

- Wat Wora Chan

- Kao Hong Market

- Pho Phraya Market

Ubon Ratchathani

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Had Ku Dua

- Had Wat Tai 

Uthai Thani

Attractions and activities that are not affected by flooding:

- The “Tak Bat Thewo,” merit-making event will still be held on the morning of 13 October 2011 as

planned, with monks from Khao Sakae Krang

The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding:

- All roads on Ko The Pho

- Highway 333 to Amphoe Phayuha Kiri

- Road from Amphoe Krok Phra, Nakhon Sawan province to Uthai Thani

- Ferry service between Chai Nat to Uthai Thani are suspended

Visitors should use alternate routes such as:

- From Bangkok to Uthai Thani: use Don Jedi – Dan Chang – Ban Rai – Uthai Thani Road

- From Nakhon Sawan or other northern provinces to Uthai Thani:

use Lad Yao – Sawang Arom – Tab Tun – Uthai Thani

Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding:

- Agricultural tourism attractions

- Biking route on Koh The Pho

- In the city of Uthai Thani and Koh The Pho, most attractions, accommodations and restaurants are

temporarily closed

- Local History and Cultural Museum

- Route for “Visiting 9 Temples a Day”

- The Museum Hok Saetung

- “Trok Rong Ya” Walking Street

- Wat Chan Tharam (Wat Tha Soong)

- Wat U Po Satharam (Wat Bot)

- Uthai Thani’s Traditional Long-tailed Boat Competition 2011 is cancelled 

Tourism Authority of Thailand - News

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Backstreet Boys to Perform in Saigon and Hanoi

The Backstreet Boys (BSB) is scheduled to perform in Vietnam for the first time this March, following their tour to Latin America. 

The four members of the group, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A. J. McLean, will perform at Ho Chi Minh City’s Military Zone Stadium (Quan Khu 7) on March 24 and at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on March 26.

They will sing their hits: I Want It That Way, I’ll Never Break Your Heart, Straight Through My Heart and others from their This Is Us album.

The performance is part of the tour This Is Us that began in fall 2009 and will continue to the end of this year. They have had 20 shows thus far.

Book your seats?

1. Buy your tickets at ticket offices:

Ha Noi

The tickets will be available in Hanoi at:

• MegaStar VinCom City Towers, Floor 6 VinCom City Towers, 191 Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung Street;
• 11B Tran Quoc Toan Street;
• 20 Phan Dinh Phung;
• VIT Building, 519 Kim Ma Street;
• My Dinh National Stadium, Tu Liem District

Ho Chi Minh City

• 75 Pasteur, District 1;
• Galaxy Nguyen Du Cineplex, 116 Nguyen Du, District 1;
• Galaxy Tan Binh, 246 Nguyen Hong Dao Street, Tan Binh District;
• MegaStar Hung Vuong, 126 Hung Vuong Street, District 5.

In addition, tickets will be available at MegaStar Cineplexes in Hai Phong and Bien Hoa. 

You should bring your ID card or passport to pay and get tickets.

2. Booking online on www.bsb.com.vn

3. Book your tickets by phone

• Ha Noi: 1900 6604
• Ho Chi Minh City: 1900 6608

Tickets range from VND500,000 to VND2 million each.

Backstreet Boys will have two meet-and-greet sessions with fans. The “Fan Meet and greet” will take place on March 23 and the “VIP Party” will be March 25.

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