Vietnam PM urges visa exemptions for more countries to spur tourism

By Pham Du July 18, 2024 | 10:31 pm PT

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered the ministries of public security and foreign affairs to consider waiving visas for several countries to boost tourism recovery.

At a meeting with heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad on Thursday, the PM asked agencies to research appropriate visa policies to make it convenient for foreign tourists and help to create momentum for tourism recovery.

"The Ministry of Public Security should cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to waive visa for several countries," he said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at a meeting with heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad on July 18, 2024. Photo by VNA

Vietnam now waives visas for travelers from 25 countries compared to 162 for Malaysia and Singapore, 157 for the Philippines and 93 for Thailand.

Many Asian countries are increasing their competitiveness to attract foreign tourists with visa-free policies. Thailand on Monday increased the number fo countries and territories enjoying its 60-day visa-free stay from 57 to 93, while Indonesia plans to grant visa-free visits to 20 destinations including Australia, China and India by October.

Under the current immigration policy, Vietnam grants three-month tourist visas for citizens from all countries and territories.

The government also tripled the duration of stays in Vietnam to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas from August last year.

Vietnam received 8.8 million international visitors in the first half of this year, up 58% year-on-year and 4% from pre-Covid levels, with South Koreans and Chinese topping the list.

The target for full-year 2024 is 18 million visitors.