Which markets should Vietnam exempt visas for?

The conference took place exactly 1 year after Vietnam reopened its tourism sector .

The conference was held online to 63 provinces and cities.

Reporting on the tourism industry, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that exactly one year after the Prime Minister allowed the reopening of the international tourism market, along with accelerating tourism development in the new normal conditions and with the very close and drastic direction of the Government, Vietnam's tourism industry has made many efforts to overcome difficulties and has initially achieved results.

International tourists can spend up to 2,000 USD/day

In the first two months of the year, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.8 million, equal to 50% of the number of visitors in the whole year of 2022; domestic visitors reached 20 million; total revenue from tourists is estimated at VND 85,600 billion. However, the number of international visitors to Vietnam has not yet reached expectations.

Sun Group Chairman Dang Minh Truong said: The assessment report of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is very accurate, the analysis is very clear, and the solutions are also very complete. To restructure the market, many factors are needed from products, marketing services, promotion, cooperation, and links between the public and private sectors, and businesses in the industry.

Emphasizing the role of the international tourist market in Vietnam's tourism, he said that in 2019, international visitors to Vietnam were 18 million, equal to 21% of domestic visitors, but the revenue of this group accounted for nearly 2/3 because they had a long stay, from 8 to 12 days. Even in key markets, they can stay up to 15 days, spending from 1,100 to 2,000 USD for a trip. Meanwhile, in the domestic market, visitors mainly go on weekends, with a stay of 1 to 2 days, and the spending level is not equal.

"Recently, our tourist visa policies have also made progress on visas. However, to have more breakthroughs, to be competitive in the future and sustainable, we must have stronger reforms. For example, in 2019 we welcomed 18 million visitors, while Thailand welcomed 40 million. In 2023, our target was 8 million, but they welcomed 25 million. According to the report of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in 2030 we welcomed 35 million, while Thailand by 2027 they will have 80 million visitors. So if we do not have breakthrough solutions now, we will be left behind," Mr. Dang Minh Truong worried.

Sun Group Chairman Dang Minh Truong recommends a breakthrough in visa policy

Increase visa validity, allow multiple entries, visa exemption for more countries

To improve the tourism industry's "picture", Sun Group's representative proposed that ministries and branches should soon consider analyzing, evaluating, submitting to the Prime Minister, and reporting to the National Assembly to amend and supplement the provisions of the Immigration Law. The procedures need to be shortened so that they can be completed in just one session and can take effect immediately. Specifically, the contents include increasing the visa duration for international tourists from 90 to 180 days, the temporary stay from 30 to 45 days and allowing multiple entries. For countries that unilaterally exempt entry visas, increase from 15 days to 30 to 45 days and also allow multiple entries.

In addition, it is necessary to study and propose extending or expanding the subjects and countries that can be unilaterally exempted from visas, including key markets.

"Currently, the Australian market spends 4 billion USD/year on tourism, or Canada over 33 billion USD, or Nordic countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, they all spend from 21 - 26 billion USD, ranking above Sweden, Norway, Denmark - countries currently under the visa exemption policy. In November 2022, the Government issued Resolution 143 assigning the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over proposing solutions to study and expand the subjects of unilateral visa exemption. I really hope that in the near future, a resolution on this issue will be issued soon, maybe before the summer tourist season so that we can welcome tourists, realizing the desire to welcome 8 million visitors, even more in 2023" - Mr. Dang Minh Truong proposed.

At the conference, businesses also assessed that the Government has recognized the urgency of restoring the tourism industry and has many open-door policies, but many important proposed issues have not changed.

In particular, policies to facilitate tourists entering Vietnam such as improving visa processing time, reopening visa procedures at border gates, moving towards directly issuing visas at border gates for tourists who are eligible to enter Vietnam, extending the stay to 30 days for visa-exempt visitors who can enter and exit Vietnam multiple times... need to be quickly resolved.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-nen-mien-visa-cho-nhung-thi-truong-nao-185230315121646786.htm