Visa exemption for 3 European countries, more opportunities to attract international visitors

With Vietnam unilaterally waiving visa requirements for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland from March 1st, extending until the end of 2025, many tourism businesses expect to attract more tourists from these new markets.

European tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City in late February 2025 - Photo: QUANG DINH

However, many tourism and travel businesses have expressed concern that the visa exemption period, which only lasts until the end of 2025, will not give travel companies enough time to develop suitable tour routes and take advantage of this opportunity.

Visa-free entry opens up opportunities to welcome tourists from new markets.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre newspaper , Ms. Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, Deputy General Director of Vietravel , acknowledged that the 2025 tourism stimulus program, combined with visa exemptions for three additional countries, aims to attract more tourists from new markets and increase access to potential markets.

This company will participate in promotional programs, cultural events, and media campaigns in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, helping to build the company's brand image internationally, increase opportunities for international cooperation, and expand its network of partners.

However, according to Ms. Hoang, the program, which runs until the end of 2025, is relatively short for building sustainable relationships and tourism habits among visitors. "Due to the short timeframe, small businesses or those without existing partnerships in the three countries may not be able to take advantage of this opportunity compared to companies that already have international distribution systems," Ms. Hoang said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Le Thi Tham, manager of a resort in Ho Tram, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, believes that visa exemption for citizens of three European countries is good news for the tourism industry. "We will create new product packages suitable for European tourists, especially those from the newly exempted visa-free countries," Ms. Tham expressed.

According to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, the visa exemption policy for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland has opened up huge opportunities for the tourism industry in particular and the Vietnamese economy in general. This is because investors from these three countries will find it easier to come to Vietnam to survey the market, seek partners, and participate in economic conferences.

"These countries have many outstanding businesses in the high-tech and financial sectors. The trade connections between Vietnamese and foreign businesses will be stronger in the future. In addition, this policy will create a foundation for Vietnamese tourism to access more markets in Europe," he said.

The stimulus program needs to be longer-term.

According to Mr. Tran The Dung, deputy director of The Young Generation Tourism Company, this year's tourism stimulus program is very positive, widespread, and has a good effect on businesses planning to welcome tourists. However, the visa exemption period is too short.

"Stimulating demand requires at least a year. Businesses need time to plan, promote, and then sell their products. Only then will the program be effective and give a sense of significant profit from stimulating demand," Mr. Dung said.

According to Mr. Dung, although airlines are participating in the stimulus program, airfares have remained quite high recently. Therefore, for the stimulus program to be effective, the tourism industry needs to sit down with airlines and coordinate to offer appropriate discount and stimulus packages. "The stimulus program needs to apply to both domestic and international tourists and needs to be long-term," Mr. Dung suggested.

The director of the tourism department in a central province also believes that granting visa exemptions to citizens of certain countries would contribute to diversifying Vietnam's tourism source markets.

However, adequate cooperation between airlines, travel businesses, and regulatory agencies is needed to develop attractive tourism packages, optimize costs, and enhance the visitor experience.

According to Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in addition to the general tourism stimulus program, each locality is joining hands in the effort, and Ho Chi Minh City also has its own stimulus program.

"Ho Chi Minh City doesn't focus on any fixed time in its own program to stimulate tourism, but instead collaborates with large corporations worldwide, offering discounts at times when purchasing power and demand are weak," Mr. Hoa said.

Acknowledging that the timeframe is too short to benefit from the 2025 tourism stimulus program, Mr. Hoa stated: "We will gather more information from businesses and work with the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association to discuss extending the stimulus period."

International visitors to Vietnam have increased sharply.

According to data from the General Statistics Office, in January 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors, an increase of 36.9% compared to the same period in 2024. In 2025, Vietnam's tourism industry aims to welcome 22-23 million international visitors and 120-130 million domestic visitors.

Previously, in 2024, Vietnam's tourism industry welcomed over 17.5 million international visitors, equivalent to 98% of the 2019 figure – the peak year for tourism. Of these, visitors from Asia accounted for 79.6%, Europe 11.3%, the Americas 5.7%, and Africa 0.3%.

Citizens of 16 countries are exempt from visa requirements.

From March 1st, citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are exempt from visa requirements when entering Vietnam. This exemption will be in effect until December 31st, 2025, as part of the 2025 tourism development stimulus program and Government Resolution 11 on visa exemption.

Under this policy, citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland will be exempt from visa requirements for a temporary stay of 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purposes, under programs organized by Vietnamese international travel agencies. This applies regardless of passport type, provided they meet all entry requirements as stipulated by Vietnamese law.

Previously, Vietnam officially granted visa exemption for 45 days from the date of entry to citizens of 13 countries: South Korea, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Belarus.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mien-visa-cho-3-nuoc-chau-au-them-co-hoi-thu-hut-khach-quoc-te-20250304075102642.htm