In a document to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ba Ria - Vung Tau proposed visa-free entry for foreign travelers from key markets with a long stay and high spending such as Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

It also proposed increasing the visa-free time to help travel businesses develop longer tours so as to increase the average spending of international tourists in Vietnam.

Notably, Ba Ria - Vung Tau suggested abolishing regulations requiring foreign international travelers to buy COVID-19 insurance - an insurance product that covers all medical expenses, hospital treatment, and loss of life caused by COVID-19.

Local authorities held that COVID-19 insurance is not necessary given the fact that COVID-19 treatment is no longer as complicated and expensive as before, and such requirement will eventually cause anxiety for foreign visitors when traveling to Vietnam.

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, foreign visitors to Ba Ria – Vung Tau account for less than 30% of the total number of holidaymakers visiting the locality. Most of the visitors come from Ho Chi Minh City, while visitors coming by sea make up only 12-13%. Especially, the number of visitors from markets with high spending such as Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand remains relatively low.

Source: VOV