To accelerate tourism recovery, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged the ministries of public security and foreign affairs to explore waiving visas for citizens of several countries. This strategic move is part of Vietnam’s broader effort to enhance its appeal as a premier tourist destination and regain its pre-pandemic visitor numbers.
Strategic Visa Waivers
In a recent high-level meeting with the heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized the importance of streamlined visa policies. He urged these agencies to research and implement measures to simplify the visa process for foreign tourists, thereby creating significant momentum for the tourism industry.
“The Ministry of Public Security should cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to waive visas for several countries,” Chinh stated. This directive aligns with Vietnam’s goal to enhance its competitiveness in the global tourism market.
Comparative Visa Policies in Southeast Asia
Vietnam currently offers visa exemptions to travelers from 25 countries. This number is modest compared to other Southeast Asian nations: Malaysia and Singapore waive visas for 162 countries, the Philippines for 157, and Thailand for 93. Recently, Thailand expanded its visa-free stay from 57 to 93 countries and territories. Similarly, Indonesia plans to introduce visa-free visits to 20 new destinations, including Australia, China, and India, by October.
Current Visa Landscape in Vietnam
Vietnam currently offers a three-month tourist visa for citizens from all countries and territories. Additionally, since August 2023, the government has tripled the visa-free stay duration to 45 days for citizens of 13 specific countries. This unilateral visa exemption applies to popular tourist destinations like Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and several Nordic nations.
Vietnam’s Efforts to Regain Tourism Footing
While Vietnam has witnessed a significant surge in international arrivals in the first half of 2024, reaching 8.8 million visitors, it still lags pre-pandemic levels by 4%. The government aims to attract 18 million international visitors by the end of the year.
Potential Visa Waivers
The specific countries targeted for potential visa waivers remain undisclosed. However, this move signifies Vietnam’s proactive approach to attracting foreign tourists and revitalizing its crucial tourism sector. The outcome of the investigation by the Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs is highly anticipated by travel enthusiasts and tourism industry stakeholders alike.
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