Vietnam to Relax Visa Requirements to Attract More Foreign Tourists

Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has ordered officials to relax some visa requirements in an effort to revitalise the country’s tourism industry. Difficulties in obtaining Vietnam tourist visas have been identified as a major reason why the country has struggled to attract international travellers back after the pandemic.

The country, known for its inviting street food, a long coastline dotted with beaches, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay, saw fewer than 3.7 million foreign visitors last year.

The infrastructure issues, such as public toilets with bad odours, have also been a source of complaints among tourists.

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The Prime Minister’s Directives

Pham Minh Chinh has directed his cabinet to revise immigration policies, such as providing more visa waivers and extending the length of stay for foreign tourists in exchange for reasonable fees.

According to the government’s website, he also called for the expansion of the country’s e-visa programme.

Current Visa Policy

Visitors from 13 countries, 11 from Europe and two from Asia, can stay in Vietnam for 15 days without a visa. Visitors from nine Asian countries can stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa. According to the immigration department, Vietnam currently offers e-visas to 80 countries.

The Need for a Relaxed Visa Policy

Vietnam’s tourism ministry has emphasised that a more relaxed visa policy is critical to attracting more international tourists. Local tourism companies proposed increasing stay lengths to up to 45 days at a tourism conference on Wednesday, according to state media.

This year, Vietnam hopes to attract eight million foreign tourists. More than 18 million international tourists visited the country in 2019.