Why Vietnamese passport climbed 7 places in global rankings

Its passport has climbed seven spots so far this year to 84th, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 51 out of 227 destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index released on July 22.

Vietnam's highest ever position on the index was 78th in 2006 and 2007.

Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the tourism advisory board secretariat, said the main driver of this improvement is Vietnam's proactive and deeply integrated foreign policy in recent years.

High-level diplomatic engagements by leaders of the Party, Government and National Assembly have strengthened international relations, enabling negotiations for visa exemptions and cooperation agreements.

Vietnamese passports have also improved in technical quality and security, with chip-embedded passports being issued since 2023.

The country's immigration management system has become increasingly modern and aligned with international standards, including automated border control, boosting other countries' trust.

Nguyen Tien Dat, general director of AZA Travel, said the positive behavior of Vietnamese tourists abroad is also possibly a factor.

"Vietnamese travelers are generally well-mannered, spend generously and rarely violate laws while traveling abroad."

But the number of destinations allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access remains at 51, suggesting other countries declined in the Henley rankings.

"This unchanged figure reminds us that there's still much to do to enhance the real power of the Vietnamese passport," Chinh added.

Singapore has the most powerful passport in the world with visa-free access to 193 destinations, down from 195 earlier this year.

According to experts from Mint, a subsidiary of India's HT Media, Singapore's passport strength is driven by its strong diplomatic ties, public safety and low rates of illegal overstays abroad.

Vietnam can expand its list of unilateral visa exemptions for countries with which it has good relations, and this will not only boost inbound tourism but also encourage reciprocity by those countries.

Efforts must also be made to manage the behavior of Vietnamese citizens abroad, reduce instances of illegal residency and legal violations and prevent illegal migration.

Chinh said outbound tour operators should exhort travelers to maintain Vietnam's positive image overseas.

Continued investment in immigration infrastructure including data digitalization and biometric integration will ensure Vietnamese travelers have transparent, reliable records when entering foreign countries.