The proposal, revealed at a national tourism strategy conference in February, will extend the visa period from five years and hopefully encourage repeat visits.

Cherry blossoms at Yeojwacheon Stream, Changwon City, South Korea.

People living in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, now eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas, could qualify.

Authorities pointed out the move would benefit frequent travelers.

Final details and the implementation timeline are expected to be announced by the Ministry of Justice later this year.

The proposal is part of a broader push by South Korea to make entry more convenient for foreign visitors.

It includes extending five-year visas for citizens of 11 countries, including China and ASEAN members, especially for those who have previously visited the country.

Seoul is also piloting visa-free entry for certain group tourists from Indonesia, and expanding its Smart Entry automated immigration system to more nationalities to speed up airport processing.

In 2025 South Korea received 550,000 tourists from Vietnam, a 9% increase from the previous year.

The target for 2026 is around 600,000, close to the record pre-pandemic level.

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