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Tourism

Vietnam Enhances Visa Policy to Boost Tourism Growth

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Vietnam's visa policy has undergone significant changes to become more tourist-friendly, with bilateral visa exemptions for 15 countries and unilateral waivers for 12 others. The government aims to enhance the country's tourism appeal and contribute to its growth target of at least 8%. Key steps include extending visa exemptions until 2028, increasing e-visa validity to 90 days, and implementing a specific visa exemption policy for Phu Quoc Island.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vietnam offers bilateral visa exemption to citizens of 15 countries and unilaterally waives visas for those from 12 others.
  • Government Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP extends visa exemption until March 14, 2028, allowing a maximum stay of 45 days regardless of passport type or entry purpose.
  • The law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens extends e-visa validity from 30 to 90 days, allowing single or multiple entries, and applies to all countries and territories.
  • A specific visa exemption policy applies to Phu Quoc Island, allowing foreign tourists to stay for up to 30 days without a visa.
  • The government has adopted Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP, granting conditional visa exemptions to nationals of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, allowing for a visa-free stay of up to 45 days if traveling under authorized Vietnamese travel agencies.
  • The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued an action plan to implement the programme (Decision No. 444/QD-BVHTTDL) and is working with other ministries to propose new visa incentives targeting high-net-worth individuals and strategic markets.
  • Vietnam aims to professionalize its promotion strategy, focusing on digital technology and market diversification, with a new slogan "Vietnam - Travel to love" highlighting the country as a safe, hospitable, high-quality, and experience-rich destination.

Statistics:

  • 15 countries benefit from bilateral visa exemption in Vietnam.
  • 12 countries are granted unilateral visa waivers by Vietnam.
  • 45 days is the maximum stay allowed under visa exemption policies.
  • 30 days is the maximum stay allowed for foreign tourists on Phu Quoc Island without a visa.
  • 90 days is the extended validity of e-visas.
  • 2028 is the end date of the current visa exemption period.
  • 2025 national tourism stimulus programme aims to promote tourism growth with a target of at least 8% increase.
  • 3 countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland) are granted conditional visa exemptions under Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP.

Sources:

  • Vietnam News Agency
  • Government Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP
  • Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens
  • Decision No. 444/QD-BVHTTDL
  • Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
  • Government Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP

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