Vietnam Negotiating Visa Exemptions With 15 Countries
Vietnam is negotiating visa-exemption agreements with 15 nations and diplomats from 80 others, expanding e-visa access to 90-day stays and multiple entries to boost international integration.
As the country seeks to streamline entry and exit for foreigners and its own citizens alike, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it is currently negotiating visa-exemption agreements with 15 countries.
Expanding the Visa-Exemption Policy
Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son recently told the National Assembly during a question-and-answer session that negotiations are underway with 15 countries over reciprocal visa waivers, in addition to visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic passports from another 80 nations. The push comes as Vietnam seeks deeper integration into the global community and to encourage cross-border exchanges to and from its territory.
The government has also taken unilateral steps:
Since August 2023, Vietnam has issued e-visas to all nationalities
Multiple-entry permits are now allowed under the e-visa scheme
As Bui Thanh Son noted, Vietnam currently maintains unilateral visa exemptions covering 13 countries deemed key tourism zones.
Deputy Hoang Van Cuong struck a more cautious note, warning that even if the ongoing talks with 15 nations are successful, only 28 countries in total would benefit. In his view, several regional peers with advanced tourism-linked visa strategies have moved far beyond that threshold.
To raise the stakes, Hoang Van Cuong recommended that Vietnam prioritize visa exemptions for high-income, low-crime developed countries when expanding its program.
Case Study: Vietnam-Macao Visa Policy Dynamics
As an illustration of these diplomatic maneuvers, Vietnam’s Consul General in Hong Kong and Macao, Pham Binh Dam, recently urged Macao authorities to adopt measures that would revive and strengthen two-way tourism—including easing visa policies for Vietnamese visitors.
The call follows Hong Kong, China’s October 2023 decision to relax visa rules for Vietnamese citizens, a significant step forward for bilateral ties between the two territories.
