Article 3: New visa policy expected to boost
Vietnam tourism

(CPV) - Representatives of some travel businesses hope that the newly approved visa policy will create a real "push" for Vietnam's tourism, especially from high-class European visitors from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Italy. These groups of tourists have long-term travel habits.

E-visa extension to 90 days

With 95.14% approval, on June 24, 2023, the National Assembly approved the law on amendments and supplements of a number of articles of the Law on the Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens, as well as the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam. The law takes effect from August 15, 2023.

A German tourist to Hanoi

Upon being granted an e-visa, a foreigner can enter and exit an unlimited number of times within 90 days, without having to go through procedures for obtaining a new visa.

Citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam will be granted temporary residence for 45 days (up from 15 days) and can be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to regulations.

Accordingly, the duration of an electronic visa (e-visa) will be increased from 30 to 90 days. The Government shall decide on the list of countries and territories with granted citizens, as well as which international border gates will allow foreigners to enter and exit by e-visa.

Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for National Defence and Security Le Tan Toi said that immigration procedures to be carried out online would promote efficiency in the management of entry and exit activities as well as create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese and foreigners alike.

Foreign tourists to a traditional market in Vietnam

Currently, the e-visa issued by the Immigration Department to foreigners through the electronic transaction system is only valid once.

Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of 80 countries and allows visa-free entry for 25 others.

Vietnam expected to lure foreign tourists this year

Right after the National Assembly pressed the button to approve the proposals to ease the visa policy, travel companies immediately sent information to their partners in many key markets such as Europe, the US andAustralia about the policy.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Man, Director of Communication - Marketing of TST Tourist Company, said that the company quickly informed customers of the new regulations that had just been passed by the National Assembly. Currently, tour programs connecting Vietnam with Indochina countries are available, and just need to apply new policies on entry and exit. "This is a very meaningful decision for attracting international visitors to Vietnam at this period," said Mr. Man. “With the new regulations, not only will the number of tourists to Vietnam increase, but also more visitors will come to Vietnam to promote investment, work and find business opportunities in Vietnam,” said Mr. Man.

Report by Vietnam National Authority of Tourism

Mr. Tran The Dung, CEO of Vietluxtour, said this is what travel businesses specializing in inbound (welcoming international tourists) have been waiting for many years. It is reasonable to increase the length of stay to 90 days, allowing multiple entry and exit without needing to reapply for a visa. In fact, most international visitors go for about 30-45 days but the new visa policy that allows 90 days will make them more comfortable.

European tourists, a stream of tourists that many Vietnamese experts believe to be the target market, tend to travel to all three Indochina countries (including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) in one trip. However, they do not follow a fixed route but can go from Vietnam to Laos, Cambodia and then back to Vietnam. The reason depends on each person's schedule and Vietnam also has more connecting routes to their home country.

A representative of Vietluxtour said that the new visa policy could be a premise to attract high-class European tourists such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Italy. These groups of tourists have long-term travel habits.

Mr. Pham Ha, CEO of Lux Group, a unit specializing in overnight 5-star yacht resort services, excitedly said that the company had immediately informed foreign partners to prepare to build "many" newly products. Most of the company's customers are in the middle or high-class group, who retire and tend to stay long-term. Therefore, Mr. Ha considers this a real "bump" and will help the company improve by 30% when the peak of international tourist arrivals begins in September.

“Visitors can come to Vietnam for a while, then travel to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or even return home before returning to Vietnam to continue their experience,” said Dr. Luong Hoai Nam, a member of the Advisory Board for Tourism.

Foreign tourists to Vietnam (Photo source: VNA)

Moreover, the new policy is also suitable for elderly expats who want to enjoy both winter or summer, those who travel and work remotely, and those who invest in the Vietnamese market.

To make the best use of the new visa policy, Dr. Nam also suggested that Vietnam quickly expand the list of visa-exempt countries to create synergy and bring strong communication value to source markets.

The total number of foreign tourists to Vietnam in the first six months of 2023.

The increase in visa duration is expected to create favorable conditions and opportunities to bring many benefits to travel businesses, making an important contribution to speeding up the development of the tourism industry, tourism economy and promoting the goal of bringing tourism to the country. Vietnam tourism soon becomes a regional and international tourism center.

(The articles use several photos of some colleagues)

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