Two visitor information and support centres began operation at the Bach Dang Wharf and 23/9 Parks in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2.   Foreign tourists look for information at the support centre in Ho Chi Minh City The facilities, each covering 55 square metres, are open between 8 am and 9 pm every day. At the centres, visitors can take direct advice from staff or look for information on guide books and documents in English, Japan, Russia and Chinese. They also have free access to two Internet-connected computers. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Tourism Promotion Agency, said feedback from tourists on performance of the centres will be collected. Similar facilities are considered to be built at the Tan Son Nhat international airport, and a number of popular destinations in the city, such as the Thong Nhat Hall and War Remnants Museum. VNA  

Over 3,500 foreigners received VAT refund totaling VND15 billion (US$660,000) in the last six months, a year on year increase of nearly 50 percent, reported the Customs Division at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Foreign visitors discover Vietnam’s beauty   Most VAT refund items include sun glasses, cosmetics, handbags, clothes, footwear, cell phones and watches. The Customs Divisions proposed duty free shops to seal off their sold goods by putting them in clear plastic bags.  Customs officials will examine the seals and goods marking. That will hasten VTA refund process and prevent frauds. According to regulations, foreigners can get refunds of the VAT they paid on goods bought in Vietnam if they leave the country from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC. Source: SGGP VAT Refund Procedure compiled by Minh Nguyen-CAV Team      

The HCM City’s District 1 People’s Committee has announced that the district’s first two street vendor spaces will open on August 28.    Twenty vendors will be allowed to conduct business on 40 metres of Nguyễn Văn Chiêm Street According to a plan which was approved by the city’s administration in March, the two “food streets” will be located on the sidewalks of Nguyễn Văn Chiêm Street and Bách Tùng Diệp Park. The areas have spacious pavements with room for vendors’ businesses and vehicle parking. Đoàn Ngọc Hải, vice chairman of the district’s People’s Committee, said on Wednesday there were many different opinions on how the plan should be implemented, which led to the delay of the launching of the two food streets. “Our district wants to open the food streets as soon as possible so that poor families will have an official place to conduct their businesses on the sidewalk,” he said. “This will not only help them secure their income but also help us better monitor food...