Photo: Nhật Thịnh

Starting from August 15, 2023, Vietnam officially implemented its new visa exemption policy, which has allowed foreigners from 13 eligible countries to stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days, 30 days longer than the old scheme. 

Article 1 of Resolution No.128/NQ-CP Amendments to the Government's Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP dated March 15, 2022 on Visa waiver for nationals,

"Visa waiver will be applicable to nationals of  the Federal Republic of Germany, The French Republic, Italian Republic, Kingdom of Spain, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland, and the Republic of Belarus with a maximum temporary residence period of 45 days from the date of entry, no matter what visa types they currently hold or their purposes of entry, on the basis of eligibility for entry in accordance with Vietnamese laws."

Vietnam’s tourism industry and other related segments have benefited abundantly from this policy, especially when the Republic of Korea - one of the visa-free countries of this Southeast Asia nation, was reported to be the largest source of tourist arrivals with over 2.5 million travelers in the first nine months of 2023. 

In the most recent suggestion, The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has emphasized the need to loosen Vietnam visa requirements, namely aiming at granting visa waiver to short-term visits of any nationality. Short-term visits refer to unextended trips for tourist, business, transit, etc, which often permit foreigners to stay in Vietnam from 1 month to 3 months. 

Besides, in an effort to boost the upscale tourism market, the Ministry also mulls over a pilot project issuing three-year and five-year visa at ports of entry.

According to experts, Vietnam has to take a big step to attract more inbound tourism by opening up its border, following other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia with 169 countries, and Singapore with 150 countries favored by their visa-free policy.

In addition, the eVisa issuance procedures of Vietnam are required to be simplified, said the Ministry. Although the eVisa portal has been in effect for more than 4 months, foreigners and even travel agents still find the current system difficult and confusing.