Vietnam receives record number of chinese in 1999 HANOI - Thanks to simplified border entry procedures, nearly 600,000 Chinese tourists visited Vietnam last year, 100,000 more than in 1998, and more than any other nationality, according to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Chinese tourists accounted for 20 per cent of all visitors to Vietnam last year, followed by Overseas Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Japanese and French. Under the new procedures, Chinese tourists with a pass and a travel card can visit seven northern provinces in Vietnam without having to apply for passports or visas. The Vietnam Tourism Department is considering using the same method for tourists from ASEAN countries, given that these countries are moving to visa-free border entrance for tourists in the region. Meanwhile, the Da Nang Passenger Bus and Commercial Service Company has joined forces with the Vientiane Souddala International Travel Development Community Company to offer the first bus service from Da Nang to Vientiane. The bus leaves Da Nang at 3pm on even dates by lunar calendar and returns from Vientiane on odd dates. For the time being, passengers need to have passports, according to Da Nang Tourism Service officials. Vietnam News Agency - February 10, 2000.