The Vietnamese government is exploring visa-free travel arrangements with 15 countries to bolster tourism-friendly policies worldwide.
Vietnam’s foreign ministry is engaged in negotiations with these 15 countries for mutual visa exemption and discussions with an additional 80 nations regarding exemptions for diplomatic passports. However, the names of specific countries have not yet been disclosed.
This development was confirmed on Monday by Ta Thi Yen, deputy head of the delegate affairs committee, who emphasized Vietnam’s status as a favoured tourist destination and highlighted the country’s previous efforts in signing visa exemption agreements to promote tourism.
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Despite Vietnam’s numerous tourist attractions, obtaining visas for some countries remains challenging. In addition to visa exemption efforts, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has indicated ongoing initiatives to streamline immigration procedures, including extensions of stay durations for foreigners in Vietnam.
Currently, Vietnam unilaterally grants visa exemptions to citizens of 28 countries. However, neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines waive visas for over 150 countries to attract tourists and stimulate their economies, which the pandemic has significantly impacted.
In line with pro-tourism measures, Vietnam has implemented several initiatives since August 2023. These include issuing e-visas for all nationalities, extending the maximum stay from 30 to 90 days, and permitting unlimited entries. Moreover, individuals benefiting from Vietnam’s unilateral exemption policy can now stay for 45 days instead of the previous 15 days in the country.
