Vietnam mulls special visa policies to attract more international tourists

On behalf of the prime minister, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh presented to the National Assembly (NA) a government proposal on a draft resolution introducing a number of special mechanisms and policies for Vietnam's tourism development.

A key highlight is the proposal to establish special visa arrangements for international tourists.

According to the draft resolution, the proposed measures include expanding bilateral visa exemptions for visitors from key source markets, introducing flexible visa policies tailored to individual markets, and prioritizing high-spending visitors, long-stay travelers, repeat visitors, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) visitors.

It seeks to make Vietnam's visa and immigration policies more open and competitive compared with other countries in the region.

Improvements would cover visa validity, permitted length of stay, number of entries, costs, and the convenience of application procedures.

These measures would go hand in hand with administrative simplification and digitalization, while ensuring national defense, security, social order and safety, and protecting national interests.

The government proposes expanding bilateral visa exemptions to ordinary passport holders from key tourism markets and potential source markets with strong growth prospects, high spending capacity, and convenient air connectivity.

The draft resolution also includes a controlled pilot scheme offering more favorable visa, entry and residence arrangements for foreign nationals working remotely.

The initiative would target individuals capable of staying in Vietnam for extended periods and contributing to the tourism economy, subject to national defense and security requirements.

Foreign visitors traveling to Vietnam for medical examinations, treatment, rehabilitation, resort stays, and long-term healthcare would also be considered for more favorable visa and residence arrangements.

Their accompanying persons could benefit from the same pilot scheme.

Eligibility and permitted stays would be determined in accordance with the purpose and duration of each visit, based on confirmation from qualified receiving institutions and the relevant competent authorities.

The draft also proposes facilitating work permits, visas and temporary residence for highly qualified foreign experts and technical workers, as well as artists and performers holding valid professional licenses in their home countries.

These individuals must have employment contracts with Vietnamese firms to work on tourism projects specified in the draft resolution.

The government would issue detailed regulations governing the implementation of these provisions.

Lawmakers call for more ambitious visa reforms

During group discussions, several NA deputies called for additional breakthrough measures, particularly in visa policy, to attract more international visitors and create fresh momentum for tourism development.

Deputy Le Hoang Anh of Gia Lai Province proposed piloting three mechanisms that would differ from the existing Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

One proposal is to introduce multiple-entry tourist visas valid for up to one year for remote workers and visitors seeking long-term holidays or medical treatment, subject to income and insurance requirements.

He also suggested granting time-limited transit visa exemptions to passengers transiting through major international airports and international cruise ship passengers.

Meanwhile, NA deputy Do Thi Viet Ha of Bac Ninh City said that although the draft resolution addressed special visa policies to facilitate entry, exit and residence for international tourists, its provisions remained relatively general and lacked clear implementation mechanisms.

She called for further research to translate the orientations of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 26 on developing Vietnam’s tourism industry into a spearhead sector into specific, practical and feasible policies that would make travel to and stays in Vietnam more convenient for international visitors.

Deputy Ta Dinh Thi of Hanoi also suggested designing special pilot mechanisms for marine tourism. 

Thi emphasized the need for dedicated visa arrangements for cruise passengers and tourists planning extended stays on islands and in special marine tourism zones.