On May 22, 2015, the U.S. Embassy Hanoi – Consular Section hosted the first-ever U.S. Travel Forum for travel agencies, business groups, and student organizations at the Hanoi Melia Hotel. The event was organized as part of Mission Vietnam’s series of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of normalization of U.S.-Vietnam relations and was aimed to increase people-to-people connections between Vietnam and the United States.
The event promoted educational, tourism, and business travel to the United States, introduced Mission Vietnam’s Mail-In Visa Renewal Program, provided updated information on the visa application process, and highlighted Mission Vietnam’s fraud prevention efforts. Among the benefits of the expanded Mail-In Visa Renewal Program are: applicants whose prior visas expired no more than 48 months previously are now qualified to renew visas by mail and can, in most cases, avoid a personal interview. Click here for more information about the new “Mail-In Visa Renewal Program”.
Over 100 guests participated in separate sessions held for Travel Agencies, Business Groups, and Educational Advisors. Participants had a unique opportunity to speak directly with Consular Officers about the U.S. visa application procedures; common problems encountered by applicants and travel coordinators; ways to streamline the visa application process; as well as the roles and responsibilities of travel agencies and educational advisors in facilitating legitimate travels and preventing fraud.
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Michael Turner highlighted studying abroad opportunities and the services that the EducationUSA Advising Center has to offer for Vietnamese students and scholars. For more information about studying in the United States, visit our website.
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