TBM Staff - Mumbai
In an effort to boost tourism, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed visa waivers for several nations. The Prime Minister has directed the Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs to investigate this initiative, aiming to enhance Vietnam’s appeal as a travel destination amid stiff competition in Southeast Asia. During a recent meeting with Vietnamese representatives abroad, Prime Minister Chinh stressed the need to simplify visa procedures and encouraged collaboration between the ministries to facilitate easier travel to Vietnam.
Currently, Vietnam offers visa exemptions to travellers from 25 countries, which is relatively low compared to its regional counterparts. For example, Malaysia and Singapore provide visa-free access to citizens from 162 countries, the Philippines to 157, and Thailand to 93. Vietnam’s move comes as neighboring countries like Thailand are expanding their visa-free policies, and Indonesia plans to introduce new visa-free destinations by October.
Vietnam grants a three-month tourist visa to citizens of all countries and has recently extended visa-free stays to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries, including major tourist sources such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and several Nordic nations. Despite a 4% decline in international visitors in the first half of 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels, Vietnam aims to attract 18 million international tourists by year-end. Although specific countries for potential visa waivers have not yet been revealed, Vietnam’s proactive approach highlights its commitment to revitalising its tourism sector and drawing more foreign visitors.
