The HCMC Tourism Association has proposed the Government extend the visa waiver for citizens of five Western European countries, and consider adding India and Australia to the list, the association said at a review conference last Friday.

Vietnam has been enjoying strong growth in tourists from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. However, the visa exemption policy, which allows visitors from the five European countries to stay in the country for up to 15 days without a visa, will expire by the end of July. Therefore, many tourism enterprises want the Government to continue the waiver and announce a decision soon, so that their international partners can sell their tour programs.

“We want the visa waiver to last at least until June 30 next year and hope the Government will have a final say soon so that we can map out promotion programs,” Nguyen Thi Khanh, vice chairwoman of the association told the Daily on the sidelines of the meeting.

The Government has granted unilateral visa exemptions for tourists from the five European nations since mid-2015.

She added the association would then submit a written request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the Government’s consideration. It would also suggest exempting tourists from other potential markets, including Australia and India, from the visa requirement.

Many tour operators said they are anxiously waiting for e-visa issuance guidelines for foreign travelers to the country, but authorities have given no word. Earlier, the National Assembly passed a resolution on a pilot scheme to issue e-visas for foreign visitors, with effect from early next month.

SGT