What special visa policy is Vietnam applying for international tourists?

International tourists are given national flags at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

Vietnam's entry visa policy is showing an increasingly open trend, but compared to other countries in the region, our level of competition is not really high.

In fact, what has Vietnam done and how will it improve to attract visitors to its home? In particular, to expand the market, what is the whole industry's plan to promote?

“Bright spot” of Vietnam visa policy

Industry leaders and tourism experts believe that visa policy is one of the most important destination competition tools today, especially in the context of countries promoting international tourism attraction post-COVID-19.

Currently, Vietnam's electronic visa (e-visa) policy is positively evaluated thanks to its expansion of application to all countries and territories, extension of stay to 90 days and convenient, completely online registration procedures, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of destinations and improving the entry experience for international visitors.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Mr. Pham Van Thuy, commented that the application of the unilateral visa exemption policy along with a series of new visa policies effective from August 15, 2023, and the pilot short-term visa exemption policy under the Tourism Development Stimulus Program for citizens of the three markets of Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic (effective from March 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025) is a breakthrough visa policy, creating favorable conditions for international visitors to travel to Vietnam. The propaganda and promotion of policies in promoting Vietnamese destinations abroad will have a better effect and achieve better results.

In fact, Vietnam is currently granting bilateral visa exemptions to 15 countries with different temporary stay periods, including: Brunei, Myanmar (14 days); Philippines (21 days); Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Belarus (30 days); Chile, Panama (90 days).

Miss World Scotland 2024 explores iconic destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

In addition, Vietnam is also unilaterally exempting visas for 12 countries including: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Japan, and South Korea.

Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP dated March 7, 2025 of the Government stipulates visa exemption for citizens of 12 countries until March 14, 2028, temporary stay period not exceeding 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type or purpose of entry.

Notably, visitors with foreign passports are allowed to stay on Phu Quoc Island for no more than 30 days without a visa. Those who transit through an international gateway in Vietnam to visit Phu Quoc are exempt from visa requirements.

However, in the ASEAN region and neighboring countries, which are competitive destinations, Vietnam's tourism still has a "weaker" entry visa policy than other countries. For example, Malaysia exempts visas for citizens of 166 countries, the Philippines 157; Singapore 158; Indonesia 169; Thailand 93 countries and territories (up from 57 countries, from July 15, 2024); China 38 countries (up from 29 countries, from November 22, 2024).

In addition, countries have applied a series of new flexible visa policies such as: Thailand and China have applied a permanent visa exemption policy for each other's citizens; 30-day visa exemption for Indian and Kazakhstan citizens; 90-day visa exemption for Russian citizens (Thailand); increasing the number of countries that are granted visas at the border gate from 19 to 31 countries and territories (Thailand); granting group visas at the border gate, visa exemption for 240-hour transit passengers for 54 countries (China)...

No matter what kind of promotional campaign, customer experience is still the top priority. (Illustration photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

Therefore, Mr. Pham Van Thuy affirmed: "Continuing research to advise on proposing new, more open and favorable visa policies for international visitors to Vietnam is a practical requirement to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism, accelerate tourism development, contribute to promoting economic growth of 8% or more, and actively contribute to the country's overall socio-economic development in the new context."

Strengthening communication to promote Vietnamese tourism

Implementing the Prime Minister's direction on tourism development with the motto “Outstanding products - Professional services - Convenient and simple procedures - Competitive prices - Clean and beautiful environment - Safe, civilized and friendly destination,” The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism continues to orient Vietnam's tourism promotion work towards both consolidating existing markets and expanding new markets, market segments with high spending and potential; prioritizing tourism promotion in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe, Australia, the US, emerging markets such as India, creating momentum to spread to other markets. In order to promote communication and promotion throughout the industry, the Ministry proposes to pilot the establishment of tourism promotion offices in a number of key tourism markets...

The entire industry will reposition the national tourism brand with the message “Vietnam – Timeless Charm” and new values such as: green experience, profound culture, unique cuisine and friendly people; focus on in-depth promotion in key and potential markets such as Northeast Asia (China, Korea), Western Europe, Australia, the US, India; combine exploitation of market segments such as golf tourism, healthcare, MICE, and river tourism.

In addition, Vietnamese tourism also promotes digital transformation in promotion, including the application of AI, big data, promotion through global digital platforms (Google, Facebook, TikTok, OTA, international KOLs); deploying a digital ecosystem for national tourism promotion; strengthening regional and international cooperation, prioritizing Mekong sub-regional initiatives (GMS), ASEAN, CLV, ACMECS; closely coordinating with aviation, media, and the private sector in joint communication campaigns...

Vietnam tourism is a favorite destination for the European tourist market. (Illustration photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

Industry leaders emphasized that the 2025 Tourism Development Stimulus Program is one of the key solutions to grow the market, extend the length of stay and increase spending of international and domestic tourists. In particular, promotion and advertising activities will focus on organizing a synchronized communication campaign at home and abroad, associated with the new version of the message "Vietnam - Go to love", promoting the image of a "safe, friendly, quality, attractive" destination.

According to Mr. Pham Van Thuy, Vietnamese tourism will step up promotion in target markets with favorable visa policies according to the new visa reform roadmap, while coordinating to stimulate demand with airlines and major travel agencies to open preferential combo packages of flight-stay-experience; deploy roadshow programs and key international fairs such as ITB Berlin, WTM London, along with a series of events introducing Vietnamese tourism (Roadshow) in Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia, India and North America...

In addition, the tourism industry will integrate digital media and multi-platform communication in promotion activities, especially through international influencers, short video platforms TikTok/YouTube Shorts and cooperation campaigns with global online travel agents such as Booking, Agoda, Expedia.../.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/viet-nam-dang-ap-dung-chinh-sach-thi-thuc-dac-thu-gi-cho-du-khach-quoc-te-3364717.html