Faced with a global health crisis, the Vietnam has decided to extend the validity of the visa waiver and the electronic visa (e-visa) to boost tourism and attract more international travelers. The new provisions include a visa waiver for stays of 45 days and an e-visa valid for up to 90 days. This decision was taken by the Vietnamese National Assembly at its plenary session on June 24.
The importance of tourism to the Vietnamese economy
Tourism is a key sector of the Vietnamese economy, accounting for around 10% of national GDP in 2019. The tourism industry has grown rapidly in recent years, with nearly 18 million international visitors in 2019, an increase of 16% over the previous year. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on this sector, leading to a drastic drop in foreign tourist arrivals and severely affecting the country's economy. Against this backdrop, the extension of the validity of the visa waiver and e-visa aims to encourage international travel to Vietnam and boost the tourism industry in difficulty.
Visa waiver and e-visa terms and conditions
Visa exemption for stays of 45 days applies to nationals of 13 countries : Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The travelers concerned will be able to stay in Vietnam without having to obtain a visa in advance, as long as their stay does not exceed 45 days. There is no longer any limit on the use of the exemption. As for the e-visa, this is a simplified online visa application system enabling travelers to obtain their visa without having to visit a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. The validity of the e-visa will now be extended from 30 to 90 days for multiple entries. It's important to point out that e-visa is only available to nationals of certain nationalities, also determined by the Vietnamese government.
If the texts are published on time, application is scheduled for August 15 next.
A measure eagerly awaited by tourism professionals
The National Assembly's decision was welcomed by the Vietnamese tourism industry, which hopes to attract more international visitors and boost its business. According to them, The easing of entry requirements has facilitated travel and encouraged tourism in Vietnam. However, this measure must be accompanied by other initiatives to enhance the country's appeal to foreign tourists. These include promoting Vietnam as a destination abroad, developing high-quality tourism infrastructure, and simplifying administrative procedures for travelers.
English 
Français 
Deutsch 
Italiano 
Español