Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just issued a directive on comprehensive, rapid and sustainable tourism development. In the directive, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Public Security to promote administrative procedure reform, apply science and technology and deploy automation solutions in handling procedures for foreigners to enter, reside and travel safely in Vietnam. The Ministry of Public Security is in charge of researching, proposing and applying online exit and entry procedures through facial recognition (FaceID) and electronic passports (E-Passport) to create convenience and speed for tourists. Consider piloting the issuance of border gate visas based on on-site personnel review for international tourists.

Foreign tourists sit on a cyclo, watching the streets of Hanoi . Illustration photo: Anh Nguyen

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Public Security to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to study and propose preferential policies on conditional exit and entry for a number of traditional, potential international markets with high levels of development, large tourism spending and long-term stays in key tourist areas of Vietnam and localities with synchronous and convenient transport infrastructure systems. Expand the list of unilateral visa exemptions; pilot short-term visa exemptions (from 6 months to 12 months) for tourists from a number of large-scale, high-spending markets. Pilot the issuance of long-term, multiple-entry visas (12 months to 36 months) to attract high-end tourist market segments and retirees with high spending capacity from a number of target markets such as Europe, Northeast Asia, North America, India and a number of countries in the Middle East. For localities, the Prime Minister requested to direct organizations and individuals doing tourism business to strictly list prices and sell at the listed prices; inspect and supervise the strict implementation of tax obligations to the State. Resolutely handle all violations in accordance with the law, including suspending business and revoking licenses; strictly handle organizations and individuals who assist and cover up violations, profiteering from solicitation, price gouging, false advertising... in tourism business activities. The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant ministries and branches to develop a project to establish a tourism promotion office abroad; promote the role of Vietnamese cultural centers abroad in promoting the image of the country, culture, people and tourism of Vietnam. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies to develop a plan to promote tourism by sea and road; and develop appropriate policies to promote railway tourism.
Vietnam is currently exempting visas for citizens of 25 countries, of which 13 countries are unilaterally exempted from visas: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. In 2023, Vietnam will issue e-visas to citizens of all countries and increase the duration from 30 to 90 days, with unlimited number of entries and exits. Citizens of Vietnam unilaterally exempting visas will have their temporary stay increased from 15 to 45 days and will be considered for visa issuance and temporary stay extension according to regulations.

vietnamnet.vn

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