It will expand the list of countries whose citizens can enjoy unilateral visa exemption, and pilot visa exemption for short-term periods from 6 to 12 months for visitors from a number of large, high-spending markets.

These are part of a Prime Minister directive on comprehensive, fast and sustainable tourism development which was promulgated recently.

The PM assigned the Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to study and propose those preferential policies.

He requested that the Ministry of Public Security examine, propose and apply online exit and entry procedures through the facial recognition system (FaceID) and electronic passport (E-Passport) to create convenience for visitors.

Also in the directive, the PM assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant ministries and agency, to examine the possibility of establishing overseas tourism promotion offices, and promote the role of Vietnamese cultural centers abroad in popularizing the image of the country, culture, people and tourism of Vietnam.

He also assigned several relevant ministries and agencies to develop tourism by sea, road and rail.

Vietnam currently applies a unilateral visa exemption policy for citizens from 13 countries, namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.

Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam has granted three-month tourist visas for citizens from all countries and territories, as opposed to previously 30 days. During their approved duration, foreigners are able to enter and exit the nation multiple times, without having to go through new visa procedures.

Last year, the country welcomed 12.6 million foreign visitors, nearly 3.5 times higher than in 2022. This year, it aims to attract about between 17 and 18 million international visitors, equivalent to the pre-pandemic figure.

VOV