- by foxnews
- 12 Mar 2025
Vietnam is strategically positioning itself to welcome more than 23 million international tourists by 2025, leveraging a range of initiatives aimed at simplifying travel and enhancing the visitor experience. The country is focusing on expanding visa-free travel for citizens from key markets, including Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Finland, Germany, France, South Korea, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland. As of March 1, 2025, Vietnam granted 45-day visa-free access for citizens of Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland on package tours, with additional visa exemptions for 25 other countries, streamlining entry for tourists from diverse regions.
Vietnam is strategically positioning itself to welcome more than 23 million international tourists by 2025, leveraging a range of initiatives aimed at simplifying travel and enhancing the visitor experience. The country is focusing on expanding visa-free travel for citizens from key markets, including Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Finland, Germany, France, South Korea, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland. As of March 1, 2025, Vietnam granted 45-day visa-free access for citizens of Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland on package tours, with additional visa exemptions for 25 other countries, streamlining entry for tourists from diverse regions.
In a bid to simplify immigration procedures and further boost its tourism sector, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for ministries to explore the implementation of unilateral visa exemptions for travelers from Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. The move is part of an ongoing effort to make Vietnam more accessible to foreign visitors, and it signals a significant shift toward more relaxed visa policies as the country strives to meet its ambitious tourism goals.
In a directive issued on March 9, 2025, the Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security with developing policies that would enhance the country's visa offerings, focusing on both ease of access and increased convenience for travelers. One of the key components of the directive is the push to improve the issuance of electronic visas (e-visas), which have become an increasingly popular and efficient way for travelers to enter the country.
The directive also stresses the need to prioritize visa exemptions for affluent travelers and successful entrepreneurs, targeting high-value tourists who are more likely to contribute significantly to Vietnam's economy. By facilitating smoother entry for these visitors, Vietnam aims to attract a wealthier demographic, boosting not just tourism but also business and investment opportunities.
With the global tourism landscape evolving and competition between destinations intensifying, Vietnam is keen to position itself as a top travel destination in Asia. The country is focusing on creating an environment that is not only more welcoming but also more accessible to international travelers, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread disruptions in global tourism.
One of the most significant steps in this direction is the country's decision to embrace technology and digital solutions in the tourism and immigration sectors. E-visas, for example, offer a faster and more convenient way for travelers to enter the country, bypassing traditional visa processing times. The ease of obtaining an e-visa could potentially attract more travelers, particularly those from countries where obtaining a traditional visa might be cumbersome or time-consuming.
By targeting European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries, Vietnam is diversifying its tourism strategy and looking to new regions for growth. These areas are seen as having high untapped potential for tourism, with many countries in these regions experiencing growing middle classes and increasing levels of disposable income. As international travel picks up post-pandemic, these regions are expected to send more tourists abroad, and Vietnam hopes to capture a significant share of that market.
High-value tourists, including entrepreneurs and business investors, will likely contribute not only to the tourism industry but also to broader economic development. The move could make Vietnam a more attractive destination for business travel, investment, and international conferences, further enhancing its status as a global hub for tourism and commerce.
Moreover, the increased inflow of tourists is expected to have cultural benefits as well. Vietnam, with its rich history, unique cultural heritage, and stunning natural landscapes, is a prime destination for cultural tourism. The more accessible the country becomes, the greater the opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to experience its heritage, fostering international understanding and exchange.
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