Vietnam’s government has recently approved the issuance of e-visas for foreign tourists, allowing them to stay in the country for up to three months. This development is expected to boost the country’s tourism industry, as the previous visa application process was known to be lengthy and discouraging for many travelers. In this article, we will take a closer look at this new policy and its potential impact on Vietnams tourism industry.
Vietnam’s cabinet has announced plans to grant electronic visas for up to three months to long-stay tourists as part of a bid to support economic growth. The news was reported on March 28th by local newspaper Vietnam News, which said that the government is preparing to relax travel regulations to achieve its economic goals. According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the cabinet is in agreement about issuing electronic visas for citizens from all countries and territories, which would be valid for either single or multiple entries. Visitors would be able to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of three months, compared to the current limit of 30 days.
The government has also approved an extension for visa-free length of stay to 45 days, compared to the former limit of 15 days. This is for citizens from countries that are exempted from visa requirements. Vietnam already waives visa requirements for tourists from 25 countries and also grants a one-month single-entry e-visa to visitors from 80 countries and regions. These changes aim to attract both foreign tourists and international investors, thereby creating a driving force to stimulate economic recovery and growth.
Despite being one of the first Southeast Asian countries to fully reopen its doors to foreign visitors, Vietnam only received 3.66 million arrivals last year – just 20 percent of pre-pandemic levels. However, the government is now targeting 8 million foreign arrivals this year, with revenue of $27.3 billion – a 31 percent increase from last year. These relaxed policies may be one way to attract more visitors and achieve these targets.
It is hoped that these new policies will be approved by the Vietnamese parliament’s review and approval at the next meeting, scheduled in May. The relaxed policies are expected to benefit both the tourism industry as well as other sectors like real estate, education and healthcare. As such, international investors have also been included in the plan – as they are more likely to invest in Vietnam if they can visit the country more easily and stay for longer periods.
In conclusion, the new visa policies announced by the Vietnamese cabinet are a positive development for the tourism industry and the country’s economy as a whole. The relaxed visa restrictions are expected to encourage more foreign visits and investment, which could help the country’s economy recover and grow after the pandemic. These new policies are still subject to approval in parliament, but if passed, they could have far-reaching positive consequences for the Vietnamese economy for years to come.
