The new visa policy which took effect on August 15 is expected to attract more tourists in the last two quarters of the year.

The entire process for granting e-visas, from applying for, processing requests to issuing visas and paying fees, is now carried out online, said the Vietnam Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

The new visa policy, taking effect from August 15, is creating a boost to the attraction of international tourists, but it is just the initial step and more long-term measures are required to make a breakthrough in this regard, according to insiders.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has freshly announced a list of 13 international airports permitting foreigners to enter and exit with electronic visas.

The Vietnamese Government has decided to issue e-visas to all foreign arrivals at 52 ports of entry into Việt Nam starting from August 15, according to the latest Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP.

The Government on August 14 issued Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP amending Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP dated March 15, 2022, regarding visa exemption for citizens of certain countries.

The policy of renewing the e-visa with its duration to 90 days for tourists coming to Vietnam is gradually approaching its effective date of August 15, 2023, attracting the attention of the tourism industry both at home and abroad.

Vietnamese citizens can enter 55 countries and territories worldwide without applying for a visa, or with simplified visa procedures like e-visas or visas on arrival, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said.

The Government of Kazakhstan has approved the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on visa exemption for citizens of the two countries.

The fifth session of the 15th National Assembly will consider and approve a resolution on changes to the visa policy. Travel firms have complained that they have to spend too much time on procedures for visas for foreign travelers.

Minister of Public Security To Lam on May 27 submitted to the National Assembly amendments to a bill, proposing to increase the duration of e-visas from no more than 30 days to a maximum of three months.

Vietnam should take more actions, including the facilitation of immigration procedures, in an effort to make itself a top destination for international tourists, the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has suggested.

The Government said that the proposal for extending the e-visa validity to 90 days would help attract foreign tourists and investors who want to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam.

These policies are expected to bolster the country’s socioeconomic development by attracting foreign visitors, following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government has requested that the National Assembly move to consider and grant approval to a resolution at its upcoming session to facilitate visa and immigration policies in an effort to promote socio-economic development and stimulate tourism.

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) will propose to the National Assembly adding an amendment of the visa and e-visa policy to the National Assembly’s general resolution at the nearest upcoming session (May 2023).

Vietnam should revise its inefficient visa policy or it will lose out to regional neighbours in attracting foreign travelers, said experts at a recent seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City.