TBM Staff - Mumbai
The Head of the Secretariat of the Tourism Advisory Board in Vietnam, Hoang Nhan Chinh, expressed support for the expansion of the visa exemption policy to include more countries. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Ministry of Public Security to consider broadening the visa exemption policy for citizens of additional countries based on Vietnam’s evolving relationships and current circumstances.
Vietnam currently exempts visa requirements for citizens of 25 countries, with 13 enjoying unilateral exemption. The country has also introduced electronic visas for all nationalities since August 2023, extending stays to 90 days with multiple entries. Furthermore, citizens from countries with unilateral visa exemption now have their stay extended to 45 days.
Chinh highlighted that updating the visa policy is a strategic move in line with regional trends post-COVID-19 to attract more tourists. Expanding the visa exemption policy is expected to diversify markets, boost international tourist numbers, prolong their stays, and increase spending in Vietnam. This initiative aims to enhance revenue, job opportunities, air passenger numbers, trade exchanges, and foreign investments in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s major competitors in Southeast Asia like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore have been actively attracting tourists by offering favorable entry conditions. While these countries have exempted visas for a significant number of nations, Vietnam’s adjustment in its visa policy since August 2023 aims to create a more attractive environment for foreign tourists.
Chinh acknowledged that although applying for an e-visa to Vietnam can be time-consuming due to personal information requirements and approval processes, improving the visa policy will enhance Vietnam’s appeal to visitors. This short-term strategy complements medium- and long-term solutions within the tourism industry such as promotional activities, digital marketing, product diversity, destination management, and human resource development.
