Favourable visa policy boosts tourism recovery

The tourism sector has seen robust growth from the European market. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – Foreign arrivals have been on track for a full recovery since Vietnam opened its border two years ago on the back of a favourable visa policy, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said at the National Assembly’s Q&A session on March 18.

The tourism sector has seen robust growth from the European market, he said, elaborating markets with sound recovery in 2023 included Spain (91 per cent), Germany (88 per cent), the UK (80 per cent), and France (75 per cent).

According to Khanh, in the first two months of this year, the number of tourist arrivals from the UK surged 32.6 per cent, France 34.6 per cent, Germany 37.1 per cent, Spain 48.5 per cent, and Italy 82.3 per cent year-on-year. Under the unilateral visa exemption that took effect on August 15, 2023, all tourists from these markets have had their visa-free stay in Vietnam extended to 45 from 15 days.

Vietnam now waives visas for travelers from 25 countries, with 13 enjoying unilaterally exemption. Most recently, the Prime Minister directed competent authorities to study and recommend favourable policies on immigration, expansion of unilateral visa exemptions, and pilot grant of visa at border gates, he said.

Voter Le Cong Nang, CEO at WonderTour, proposed the Government expand unilateral visa exemption for citizens from countries with a higher level of economic development, especially western countries, as well as offer short-term free visa for markets with large source of tourists like China and India.

He described the expansion of visa waiver as an invitation for foreigners, helping lure more international tourists to Vietnam, adding travel firms have benefited a lot from the policy rolled out new offerings to visitors.

The sector is expecting a full recovery this year and reach the levels in 2019 – the time before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, aiming to welcome 18 million international visitors, 110 domestic travelers, and gain 840 trillion VND (33.96 billion USD) in tourism revenue.

New visa policy helping facilitate tourism development: Authority The new visa policy is presenting an opportunity for Vietnam's tourism industry to enhance its competitiveness, said the Ministry of Public Security’s Vietnam Immigration Department during a press conference in Hanoi on August 30.

New e-visa policy to help lure more foreign visitors: Official The e-visa policy, which took effect from August 15, is expected to help Vietnam attract a hike in the number of international visitors right in the autumn-winter tourist season of 2023, said Do Van Hao, Deputy Chief of Police at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam’s new visa policy creating growth engine in tourism About two-thirds of the 4,000 tourists from over 60 countries and territories on the Spectrum of the Seas cruise ship joined a short excursion to explore Vietnam after it docked at Phu My port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province last week.

Key highlights of Vietnam's visa policy for foreigners Foreign tourists visiting Vietnam will be subject to a new visa policy beginning on August 15, 2023, with notable changes including the issuance of 90-day e-visas and an increase in the temporary stay period for people entering the country under unilateral visa exemption to 45 days.