Vietnam to cut travel expenses

HANOI Budget airlines should be the preferred choice for Vietnam’s government officials and even private company executives keen to save on their travel expenses.
The Communist Party of Vietnam recently issued directive 38-CT/TW, that urges officials and domestic companies to save transport costs and switch to low-cost airlines.
It could save as much as USD428 million a year, or USD25 per flight, that is now spent on official travel and business trip organised by local firms.
According to deputy prime minister Pham Binh Minh, 3,780 government officials travelled overseas in 2012 dropping to around 3,200 in 2013.
All overseas trips by government delegations are funded from the state budget.
Transport Minister, Dinh La Thang, said budget airlines are now a global trend and Vietnam should catch up and encourage travel that also saves expenses.
Experts claim that reasonably priced fares encourages tourism development and investment, both locally and internationally more than any other external factor.

sourced:ttrweekly.com