Vietnam tourism has made great strides.
According to Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, after the difficult period due to COVID-19, the tourism industry has been recovering strongly with the number of international tourists increasing again. In 2024, Vietnam will welcome 17.6 million international tourists, an increase of 39% compared to the same period in 2023, with total tourism revenue reaching VND 840,000 billion.
In the first 3 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed more than 6.1 million international tourists, an increase of nearly 30% over the same period last year. "For the first time, we welcomed a "huge" number of visitors, an increase of about 34% over the same period in 2019. In particular, January recorded a new record for the Vietnamese tourism industry, welcoming 2.1 million international tourists. While 15 years ago, 6 million visitors in the first quarter was the target for the whole year. Vietnamese tourism has come a long way," Mr. Khanh emphasized.
The tourism industry commander said that the goal set for Vietnam's tourism in 2025 is to accelerate development, welcome 22-23 million international visitors, serve 130 million domestic visitors, and increase total tourism revenue by 12-13% compared to 2024, reaching nearly 1 million billion VND. This is a challenging goal in the context of many fluctuations in the world economy . "Visa is not a new issue because it has been discussed for a long time, a lot. However, to develop tourism, it depends on many factors besides having unique products, direct flights, and professional promotion. Visa is an important policy but not decisive. We work synchronously but do not depend on any policy," he said.
For the first time, Vietnam tourism welcomes a 'huge' number of visitors
PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE
Mr. Khanh cited: Those who have applied for a visa to some countries know that they have to carry a very thick stack of documents, but we can apply for a visa online, which is extremely convenient, very fast, and not to mention the infrastructure system at the border gates is very well invested, such as at the T3 terminal, self-check-in, no stamp. Recently, Vietnam has exempted visas for 3 countries: Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Visitors from these 3 countries coming to Vietnam with incomplete information are still allowed in, it may not be necessary to go through travel agencies.
Affirming that Vietnam's entry visa policy is increasingly open, Mr. Khanh also admitted that, compared to other countries in the region, Vietnam's level of competition for entry visas is still not high. In the ASEAN region and neighboring countries, countries that are competitive destinations for Vietnamese tourism have favorable entry visa policies. These include: Malaysia exempts visas for citizens of 166 countries, the Philippines 157, Singapore 158, Indonesia 169, Thailand 93 countries and territories, and China 38 countries.
In particular, in the context of export difficulties due to fluctuating tariff policies with Vietnam's major trading partners, attracting international tourists is considered an effective solution, exporting on the spot, avoiding export tax.
Visa exemption for many subjects
Therefore, facilitating visas to enter Vietnam is one of the important solutions and driving forces to attract international tourists, proven through the effectiveness of the e-visa policy applied from August 15, 2023 and the unilateral and bilateral visa exemption policy.
In the immediate future, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security (the leading ministry) to propose a short-term visa exemption policy for citizens of potential countries, focusing on ASEAN, Northeast Asia, Asia, Western Europe, North America... Countries with diplomatic relations, traditional relations, and comprehensive strategic partnerships in Eastern Europe. Markets that have direct flights or plans to open flights. Focus on markets such as the Middle East with very high potential for traveling with family, in groups, staying long-term and paying high prices.
Many visitors will be exempted from visas.
PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE
Subjects with preferential visa policies under the management of the Ministry such as: Athletes who won medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, ASIAD, Asian Paragames coming to Vietnam for tourism. Experts and coaches invited to Vietnam to train national teams and youth teams. International football teams coming to Vietnam to compete in tournaments held in Vietnam.
In the cultural field, directors and producers with film projects made in Vietnam; foreign journalists and reporters who have won major international journalism awards (e.g. the Pulitzer Prize); members of foreign film crews participating in film production in Vietnam; famous artists, actors and musicians in society participating in performances, art exchanges or serving as judges at international events in Vietnam; Vietnamese tourism ambassadors in other countries... will also receive visa incentives.
According to Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, regarding the long-term roadmap, the Ministry continues to propose relevant ministries and branches to consider proposing to the Government to expand the list of unilateral and bilateral visa exemptions for key markets, potential markets for Vietnamese tourism and countries with friendly and traditional relations with Vietnam.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lan-dau-tien-nganh-du-lich-don-khach-mot-thang-bang-muc-tieu-ca-nam-truoc-kia-1852504241622229.htm
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