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Tag: Vietnam

  • Six Asian countries with cheapest visa fees for Nigerians

    Six Asian countries with cheapest visa fees for Nigerians

    For many Nigerians, the cost of securing a visa is often the first major obstacle when planning an international trip. This financial hurdle, combined with other travel expenses, can make the idea of exploring new countries seem more like a dream than a possibility.

    Several Asian countries offer affordable visa options that make international travel more accessible for Nigerians.

    Here are six Asian countries with cheapest visa fees:

    1. Japan:

    Japan is one of the most budget-friendly countries in terms of visa fees, charging ₦12,500. The Japanese visa process is quite strict: applicants must book an appointment well in advance and submit their documents in person at the Embassy in Abuja. These documents include a valid passport, a completed application form, a passport-sized photo, proof of sufficient funds, and confirmed flight and accommodation bookings. Even minor applicants must appear in person to submit their documents, though appointments for them can be scheduled by a parent or guardian.

    2. Vietnam:

    Vietnam is another affordable option, offering a single-entry visa for ₦37,500. This same fee also applies to children under the age of 14. Nigerian travellers must have a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages, and they are required to show financial proof and a completed application form. Attention to detail is crucial, as errors or missing documents could lead to delays.

    3. Singapore:

    In Singapore, the visa costs ₦45,000, and the application is handled online. Payment must be made with a Visa or MasterCard, and applicants need to upload their valid passport, a recent photograph, proof of financial means, and a detailed travel itinerary. Although the standard processing time is three working days, some applications may take longer, especially if additional documents are required based on the travel purpose.

    Read Also: Visa fees should be refunded if application is denied – Kim Oprah

    4. South Korea:

    South Korea’s visa process is a bit more involved. A short-term single-entry visa costs ₦60,000, while longer visits cost ₦90,000. The application requires a valid passport, photo, financial statements, hotel reservations, return ticket, and a valid Nigerian identification document issued within the last five years. Processing typically takes between 10 to 15 business days. As with many other countries, visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.

    5. Thailand:

    Thailand offers a tourist e-visa for ₦65,000. Applicants need to provide standard travel documents along with a police clearance certificate and a drug clearance certificate. A confirmed return ticket, accommodation proof, and a completed application form are also necessary. Applications should be made four to six weeks before the travel date but not more than three months in advance.

    6. Sri Lanka:

    Sri Lanka charges ₦75,000 for a double-entry tourist visa valid for 30 days. Nigerian travellers must submit a valid passport, passport photograph, travel itinerary, and proof of financial means such as a bank statement. All visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, so it’s important to ensure that every document is complete and correct before applying.

  • Football Nights in Vietnam: Energy, Excitement, and Epic Viewing Parties

    Football Nights in Vietnam: Energy, Excitement, and Epic Viewing Parties

    Vietnam may be known for its breathtaking landscapes and delicious cuisine, but come football season, it transforms into a vibrant arena of emotion and celebration. From passionate fans donning jerseys in alleyways to the electrifying roars that erupt with every goal, football nights in Vietnam are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Whether it’s a friendly local match or a high-stakes international showdown, the excitement is palpable — and contagious.

    Let’s dive into the magic of Vietnamese football nights, explore the best ways to watch games live, and see why xoilactv is the go-to platform for football streaming.

    The Pulse of the Nation: Football Fever in Vietnam

    Football isn’t just a sport in Vietnam — it’s practically a religion. Every match draws crowds that rival major national holidays. Streets are painted in red and yellow, and the Vietnamese flag waves high with pride. Cafés, pubs, and even street corners transform into communal viewing zones where fans gather, cheer, and celebrate together like one big family.

    The sheer energy is jaw-dropping: horns blaring, drums beating, and firecrackers lighting up the night. It’s an unfiltered, emotional rollercoaster that grips people of all ages. And when Vietnam plays? Forget sleep — the whole country is wide awake.

    Epic Viewing Parties: Where the Magic Happens

    What makes football nights in Vietnam extra special are the epic viewing parties. Whether you’re watching in a high-end sports bar in Ho Chi Minh City or a modest coffee shop in Da Nang, the vibe is always electric.

    Here’s what you can expect:

    • Giant projectors broadcasting every heart-stopping moment
    • Street vendors selling snacks like banh mi and grilled skewers 🍢
    • Beer flowing like water as fans toast each goal 🍻
    • Motorbike parades through the city streets after big wins

    Read Also: How footballers are influencing Afrobeats

    Families, tourists, and die-hard fans come together for these parties — it’s a celebration of sport, community, and Vietnamese pride.

    Where to Watch: Why xoilactv is a Fan Favorite

    In a digital-first world, not everyone can make it to a café or pub. That’s where platforms like xoilactv come in. This beloved streaming service is a lifesaver for football fans in Vietnam, offering:

    • HD live streams of local and international matches ⚽
    • Real-time commentary in Vietnamese
    • A mobile-friendly interface, perfect for streaming on the go
    • No unnecessary ads or paywalls

    Whether you’re stuck in traffic or lounging at home, xoilactv ensures you never miss a goal, tackle, or red card.

    By the Numbers: Football in Vietnam (Table)

    Stat Value
    National Team World Ranking #95 (as of 2024)
    Most Popular Club Hanoi FC
    Avg. Viewership per Match 10+ million (domestic)
    Streaming Platform Popularity xoilactv
    Top Fan Cities Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang

    Final Thoughts

    Football nights in Vietnam aren’t just events — they’re cultural phenomena. They bring people together, lift national spirits, and turn ordinary evenings into unforgettable memories. Whether you’re in the heart of the action or streaming from your phone via Xoilac Tv, you’re part of something bigger — a passionate movement that lives and breathes football.

    So next time Vietnam takes the field, grab a beer, wear your jersey, and join the roar of millions. Because in Vietnam, football isn’t just watched — it’s lived. 🇻🇳⚽

  • Five countries where Naira has more value than local currency

    Five countries where Naira has more value than local currency

    For Nigerians planning to travel abroad without worrying about fluctuating exchange rates, there are destinations where the naira holds more value than the local currency.

    Exchange rates can significantly impact travel budgets, and choosing a country where the naira is stronger allows for better spending power and a more enjoyable trip.

    Here are five countries where Nigerians can maximize their naira while traveling:

    1. Vietnam

    As of February 6, 2025, the exchange rate is approximately 16.86 Vietnamese Dong for 1 Nigerian Naira. Nigerian citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Vietnam, whether for tourism or business purposes. In addition to the visa, Nigerian passport holders should ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their intended arrival date and contains at least two blank pages for visa stamps.

    2. Indonesia

    One Nigerian Naira is currently equivalent to about 10.47 Indonesian Rupiah, making Indonesia an affordable destination. Nigerian citizens need a visa for tourism or business trips. To qualify for a tourist visa, travelers must have a Nigerian passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay. Proof of onward travel, such as a return ticket or departure confirmation, is also required. It’s recommended to check with the Indonesian embassy for the latest visa application details before booking your trip.

    Read Also: Naira depreciates by 1.4% as CBN extends FX sales deadline

    3. Uganda

    For Nigerian passport holders seeking to explore East Africa, Uganda is an excellent choice, with 1 Nigerian Naira equaling 2.45 Ugandan Shillings. Nigerians need a visa to enter Uganda, but the process is streamlined with the e-Visa system. You can apply online through the Uganda Immigration Portal. After submitting your application and necessary documents, you’ll receive an approval letter via email if granted. Upon arrival, you’ll need to present your passport and e-Visa at immigration.

    4. Tanzania 

    The exchange rate is currently 1 Nigerian Naira to 1.71 Tanzanian Shillings, making Tanzania a budget-friendly option. Nigerian travelers must apply for a visa to enter the country. The e-Visa process simplifies the application, which can be completed online before departure. Once approved, travelers will receive an e-Visa confirmation. Make sure the visa is valid and matches the information in your passport, as discrepancies or expired visas may prevent boarding.

    5. Lebanon

    One Nigerian Naira currently exchanges for 59.80 Lebanese Pounds. Nigerian travelers are required to secure a visa before arriving in Lebanon. You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, as well as proof of onward travel. In addition to the standard visa application process, Nigerian citizens may also opt for a Visa on Arrival. This option requires a reservation at a 3 to 5-star hotel and a minimum of US$ 2,000 in cash. Be sure to confirm all details with the Lebanese embassy before finalizing your travel plans.

  • Death toll hits 199 in Vietnam typhoon’s aftermath

    Death toll hits 199 in Vietnam typhoon’s aftermath

    About 200 people have died in Vietnam in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi and 128 are missing as flash floods and landslides take their toll, state media reported yesterday.

    Vietnam’s VNExpress newspaper reported that 199 people have died while more than 800 have been injured.

    In Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, people waded through muddy brown water above their knees to make their way along one street, some still wearing their bicycle and motorcycle helmets after abandoning their vehicles along the way.

    A few paddled along the road in small boats as empty water bottles, a styrofoam cooler and other flotsam drifted by; one man pushed his motorbike toward drier ground in an aluminum sloop.

    Pedestrians hiked up their shorts as high as possible to avoid being soaked by the wake caused by a delivery truck powering its way through the water.

    Bakery owner Mai Anh evacuated the area with her family to shelter with her parents, but returned yesterday to check on her shop and found more than two feet (half a meter) of water still inside.

    The flooding in Hanoi has been reportedly the worst in two decades.

    Read Also: Malala Fund, Hamzat Lawal, Other Partners Urge Nigerian Government to Protect VAPP Act

    Residents started evacuating the area Tuesday as the flood waters rose, and power and drinking water have been cut since Wednesday.

    The flood waters damaged the doors to Hoang Anh Tu’s home, from which he operates a beer shop. Though he and his family were able to relocate to his parents’ house, they have had to take turns guarding the building.

    “It’s very difficult,” he said. “We haven’t even been able to assess the damage because the flood came so fast.”

  • Trump to meet North Korea’s Kim in Vietnam

    U.S. President Donald Trump says he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam on Feb. 27 to Feb. 28 for their second summit, local media report said on Wednesday.

    Trump told Congress in his State of the Union address that as part of a bold new diplomacy, the U.S. would continue its historic push for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

    “Our hostages have come home, nuclear testing has stopped, and there has not been a missile launch in 15 months.

    “If I had not been elected president of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea.

    “Much work remains to be done, but my relationship with Kim Jong Un is a good one,’’ he stressed.

    The pair held their first summit in Singapore in June, the first time a sitting U.S. president has met a North Korean leader.

    Though Kim vowed to denuclearise the peninsula at the talks, no concrete details were given on how or when this would happen and little progress appears to have been made since then.

    Read Also: Trump to Congress: eliminate HIV epidemic within 10 years

    Dan Coats, Trump’s own director of national intelligence, recently contradicted the U.S. president on North Korea, warning that Pyongyang was “unlikely’’ to give up its nuclear weapons because “leaders view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival.’’

    Kim has also criticised the U.S. for maintaining and implementing sanctions on Pyongyang, warning in his New Year’s address that they could “block the path to denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula forever.’’

    Trump’s speech came as U.S. envoy Stephen Biegun reportedly arrived in Pyongyang for talks on the summit with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol, regarded as Kim Jong Un’s right hand man.

  • Vietnam rejects 37, 000 tonnes of cashew export from Nigeria

    Nigeria’s push to grow her non-oil export suffered a setback when her 37,000 tonnes of cashew exported to Vietnam were rejected because of high price of the commodity.

    The Deputy Executive Secretary, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Mr. Peter Bakare, who made this known, said the price volatility was due to lack of conducive business environment.

    He said this made the price of raw cashew from Nigeria to be higher than the price of finished product in the international markets.

    “The banks in Vietnam that usually provide the loans to their buyers for purchase complained that the prices of the finished products are less than the price of raw materials.

    “The Vietnam financial institutions, therefore, backed out of the business, stressing that it is not a profitable venture for its farmers, so the produce are stuck in Vietnam now,’’ he said.

    Read also: Osinbajo unveils Nigeria-Brazil agriculture project

    Bakare said over 67,000 tonnes of cashew were also still lying in the warehouse in Nigeria.

    He, however, said the Nigerian hibiscus flower, popularly called ‘Zobo,’ adjudged to be one of the best in the world, was in high demand internationally.

    Some countries are using it as drinks or as base for their wine production,’’ he said, noting that measures were being put in place to safeguard the export of the flower to ensure that exporters were complying with the sanitary and phytosanitary requirements of ‘Zobo’ in the international markets.

    He said that there was also high demand for Nigeria’s Shea butter in the international market. “It is estimated that if well harnessed for large scale production, it could generate more than two billion dollars annually,’’ Bakare said.

    He said FECAN as the apex body for over 45 commodity associations in Nigeria, was doing its best to serve as a one-stop shop to link farmers and the private sector operators.

     

  • Facebook alerts users affected by Cambridge Analytica scandal

    Facebook would start informing its users on Monday if their information “may have been’’ improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica.

    Cambridge Analytica is a consultancy suspected of improperly using the data of as many as 87 million people.

    In a statement, Facebook said that 70.6 million people affected were based in the U. S.

    Up to 2.7 million Facebook users in the EU were affected, with another two million affected in the Philippines and Indonesia.

    Other countries affected include Mexico, Canada, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Australia, according to Facebook.

    In a further effort to improve transparency after the scandal, Facebook would send all 2.2 billion of its users a notice that would allow them to see what apps they use and what data they are sharing with those apps.

    The company said this would allow people to shut off the apps completely or turn off third-party access to their apps.

    Cambridge Analytica is at the centre of a debate over whether it used the personal data of millions to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the Brexit referendum.

    “I started Facebook, and at the end of the day I’m responsible for what happens on our platform,’’ Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said. “I’m serious about doing what it takes to protect our community.’’

    Zuckerberg is set to testify before U.S. lawmakers this week.

    NAN

     

  • UN rebukes Burundi, Philippines president over threats

    UN rebukes Burundi, Philippines president over threats

    The UN human rights office on Tuesday condemned attacks and threats made against its investigators by senior Burundian officials and by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

    “On Nov 9, Duterte threatened to slap UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard if she investigates him for alleged extrajudicial killings,” human rights spokesman Rupert Covlille said.

    In April 2016, the ICC announced it had launched a “preliminary examination” of the situation in Burundi, at the time more than 430 people had reportedly been killed.

    This ongoing step, which under ICC procedures determines whether a full investigation should take place, focuses on “killing, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as cases of enforced disappearances that have been allegedly committed since April 2015.”

    In October 2016, President Pierre Nkurunziza signed legislation calling for Burundi’s withdrawal from the ICC, notification of which was later that month sent to the UN secretary-general.

    Under the Rome Statute, actual withdrawal takes place a year after such notification.

    The Burundian government rejected the commission and did not allow members to visit the country.

    Interviews were conducted in neighbouring countries, to where hundreds of thousands of Burundians have fled since 2015.

    On Sept. 1, Burundi’s parliament announced it would set up its own commission, made up of 12 lawmakers, to look into the UN commission’s findings.

    Speaking to overseas Filipino workers in Vietnam, Duterte railed, “I will slap her in front of you. Why? Because you are insulting me.

    “Why? Because you yourself do not believe in the research of your own organisation.”

    The Philippines leader’s new beef with the French UN official is that she supposedly brought in an expert who

    supposedly said on television that drugs are harmless.

    Duterte did not name this “doctor” but identified them as “itim (black).”

    NAN

  • Vietnam: Execution date of convicted family killer announced

    Vietnam: Execution date of convicted family killer announced

    Vietnam has announced that the execution of a man who killed six members of the same family in July 2015 is slated for this week.

    The news report said Nguyen Hai Duong was found guilty of a murder-robbery that took place in Binh Phuoc province, north of Ho Chi Minh City.

    Duong reportedly hatched a plan to kill the family after they opposed his relationship with their daughter.

    During the incident the 26-year-old also stole cash and gadgets worth 2,200 dollars. It reported, citing a local court’s decision that he would be put to death by lethal injection on Friday.

    Read Also: Heroin trafficker sentenced to death in Vietnam

    The rare publication of the execution date has raised eyebrows within Vietnam’s media community, as most executions in the country normally take place without any public announcement.

    “Even though it is the execution of someone who killed people cruelly, the disclosure of information about his execution is an inhumane action,’’ well-known political journalist, Le Kien, said on his Facebook account.

    Le Kien said the convicted man’s family would be “haunted” at the news. Vietnam sentenced over 1,000 people to death between August 2013 and June 2016.

    According to data released by the Vietnamese government, 429 of those sentenced have already been executed Worldwide, only China and Iran executed more people in that same period.

  • Typhoon Damrey kills at least 49 in Vietnam

    Typhoon Damrey kills at least 49 in Vietnam

    The death toll in the wake of Typhoon Damrey has risen to at least 49, with 27 people still missing and rain continuing in one of Vietnam’s worst natural disasters in recent memory, authorities said on Monday.

    Khanh Hoa province, home of the popular beach resort city Nha Trang, reported 23 dead, Vietnam’s National Committee for Search and Rescue said in a report to the government.

    Typhoon Damrey made landfall on Saturday with winds of up to 135 kilometres per hour, the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control said on Monday.

    “We are facing possibly the worst-ever peril,” Nguyen Cuong, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said on Sunday at an emergency meeting.

    Regional rainfall of up to 1,479 millimetres has been recorded in the past week, and many urban centres were flooded with as much as 1.5 metres of water, leaving some neighbourhoods totally isolated.

    Hoi An, with its centuries-old Ancient Town district, has been badly hit, leaving thousands of tourists stuck.

    Hue, the old imperial capital, was also flooded.

    With heavy rain continuing through Monday, local reservoirs were nearly full and at risk of bursting, authorities warned.

    The storm destroyed about 23,000 houses and damaged 40,000 others, knocked down power lines and uprooted trees.

    Ten cargo ships and nearly 1,300 fishing boats have sunk.

    Damrey arrived days before a global foreign leaders’ summit for next week’s APEC conference in Da Nang, where weather authorities said there was a risk of flooding and landslides.

    U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive on Friday for the leaders’ summit, which Chinese President, Xi Jinping and Russian President, Vladimir Putin are also expected to attend.