South Korea continues visa exemption for Vietnamese tourists to South Jeolla

The South Korean Ministry of Justice has allowed South Jeolla Province to extend the visa exemption period for group entry for tourists from Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, until March 2025.

Specifically, groups of more than 5 people from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia will continue to be allowed to enter Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province without a visa until March next year. The visa exemption policy to attract tourists from these Southeast Asian countries, implemented since March 2023, has helped South Jeolla Province attract charter flights from these markets.

Vietnamese tourists come to Nam Jeolla, a province in southwestern Korea, attracted by its natural beauty and rich cuisine .

South Korea is currently applying a 15-day visa-free entry policy for groups from Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia to visit South Jeolla Province, Gwangju, Jeonbuk and Jeju Island. During a recent meeting and working session with Mr. Park Jong Kyung, Minister Counselor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam on enhancing tourism cooperation between the two sides, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh suggested that the Korean Embassy and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) advise the Korean government to facilitate visa policies for Vietnamese tourists, consider simplifying documents and requirements when submitting applications. According to Minister Counselor Park Jong Kyung, tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Korea is being promoted. In 2023, about 3.6 million Korean tourists traveled to Vietnam. In the opposite direction, there were over 400,000 Vietnamese tourists to Korea. The Korean government has also set a record high tourism revenue target of 24.5 billion USD by 2024. To achieve this goal, Korea has exempted e-visas for group visitors and increased the limit for direct tax refunds at shopping points for tourists, starting from January 1, 2024. Specifically, Korea will expand the list of countries exempted from e-visas for groups to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. Previously, only Chinese tourists enjoyed this policy. The visa application fee for Vietnamese tourists to Korea is currently 30 USD/person./.

thanhnien.vn

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