At a National Assembly session on Monday, Ta Thi Yen, deputy head of the delegate affairs committee, said Vietnam has been a favorite destination for tourists and it has signed several visa exemption agreements to promote tourism.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the National Assembly, March 18, 2024.

However, few countries waive visas for Vietnamese nationals, and even getting a visa is difficult from some countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said work is on to simplify immigration procedures, including extension of stay durations for foreigners in Vietnam.

In addition to the 13 countries that Vietnam unilaterally waives visas for, the ministry is also negotiating with 15 countries for mutual exemption and 80 for waivers for official passports.

Lawmaker Hoang Van Cuong said Vietnam only grants visa exemption for 28 countries while other countries in the neighborhood like Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines waive for over 150 countries to promote tourism.

He asked Son: "It is tough competition for Vietnam. Should Vietnam allow visa exemption for developed, high-income countries with low crime rates?"

Son said the ministry and other relevant agencies are considering various countries for visa waivers.

Since August 2023 Vietnam has issued e-visas for all nationalities, extended their maximum stay from 30 to 90 days, and allows them unlimited entries. Those who get visa waivers under Vietnam's unilateral exemption policy can now stay for 45 days rather than the earlier 15.

Malaysian media highlights attractiveness of Vietnam’s visa policy

With its new visa exemption policy, Vietnam has been more attractive to visitors from near and far, with the number of tourist arrivals far exceeding the country’s set target, Malaysia’s only broadsheet format English language newspaper News Straits Times highlighted in its article “Visa-free travel a boon”.

New visa policy makes Vietnam more attractive to foreign visitors

Vietnam welcomed more than 11.2 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of 2023 and a record 1.23 million in November alone. Such figures are due in no small part to the country’s new visa policy that came into effect in August.

Vietnamese leader seeks Japan visa waiver

President Vo Van Thuong has called on the Japanese government to ease entry procedures and waive visas for Vietnamese citizens during a meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

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.

Vietnam, Mongolia agree on visa exemption

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh witnessed Wednesday the signing of an agreement for mutual visa waiver for the nationals of the two countries.

Source: VnExpress