The Government will consider expanding the scope of unilateral visa exemption to attract foreign tourists to Vietnam.
On May 18, the Government issued a resolution on accelerating recovery and tourism development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was assigned to preside over the completion of the dossier submitted to the Government on expanding unilateral visa exemptions. Other ministries and sectors are responsible for promoting visa exemption agreements negotiations with countries, especially partners with similar or higher qualifications than Vietnam.
Since March, when the number of international visitors to Vietnam has not reached the target, the Prime Minister has directed research to increase the number of countries exempted from visas upon entry. Currently, Vietnam unilaterally exempts visas for 25 countries, while Malaysia and Singapore exempt 162 countries, the Philippines exempt 157 countries, and Thailand exempt 65 countries. This is a bottleneck that makes Vietnam's tourism less competitive compared to other markets in the region.
Korean tourists visit Ponagar Tower on the occasion of April 30-May 1, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa. Photo: Bui Toan
According to the resolution, the Government also assigned tasks to a series of ministries and branches, including the Ministry of Public Security, to facilitate international visitors' entry, exit, and travel; and report to the Government on expanding the list of countries granted electronic visas (e-visas).
The Government will propose to the National Assembly to amend the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners to facilitate foreigners entering Vietnam in the direction of ensuring consistency in granting electronic and traditional visas; and extending the temporary residence period for foreigners entering Vietnam.
The Ministry of Transport is responsible for expanding and facilitating international airlines to open routes to Vietnam, including key tourist areas; amending regulations on coordinating take-off and landing times at airports in a flexible manner.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade studies and supplements tourist accommodation establishments that are allowed to apply retail electricity prices equal to those for production customers. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism develops a system of competitive enterprises that participate deeply in the global tourism supply chain and diversify tourism business models.
The Government assigned localities to study stimulus packages to support businesses and tourism businesses in accessing capital. The Ministry of Finance proposed a credit incentive package for tourism businesses. Units must adjust the ceiling price framework for air tickets in the short term to bring them back to market mechanisms, removing difficulties for Vietnamese airlines so that they can accumulate capacity and improve competitiveness.
In 2023, Vietnam aims to welcome 8 million international visitors and 102 million domestic visitors, with total expected revenue of VND650,000 billion.
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