Vietnam’s government is seeking to relax visa requirements to woo more foreign visitors into the country and boost the tourism industry. Among the changes being discussed include offering more visa waivers for foreign tourists, expanding the e-visa program, and increasing the duration of stays for visitors.
Vietnam expects to handle 110 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2023, with an estimated 8 million coming from foreign arrivals. This is an increase from the 3.77 million foreign tourists that arrived in Vietnam in 2022, but still shy from the 18 million foreign visitors in 2019. Further, the total turnover from tourism is expected to reach US$27 billion in 2023.
Vietnam had approximately 100 million domestic tourists throughout 2022, most of which are attracted to the country’s renowned Ha Long Bay, one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes.
Vietnam earlier this month resumed visa exemptions for visitors from 13 countries – Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the UK – for up to 15 days, while visitors from nine ASEAN countries can stay for up to 30 days. Some tourism officials want to extend the maximum length of stay to 45 days.
The government is also exploring the strategy to prolong e-visas from 30 days to a maximum of three months (45 days). The e-visas will be valid for multiple or single entries. Currently, visitors from 80 nations can enter Vietnam through a one-month single-entry visa.
In addition to easing visa requirements for foreign tourists, Vietnam’s tourism industry would diversify in terms of attracting visitors from non-traditional markets.