Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Tourism has proposed the Government extend its visa exemption policy for international tourists from nine countries to 30 days from 15 days to promote tourism development to help reach the city’s target of 10-11 million international tourists in 2020.
Foreign tourists in Ben Thanh market in HCM City(Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City’sDepartment of Tourism has proposed the Government extend its visa exemptionpolicy for international tourists from nine countries to 30 days from 15 days to promote tourism developmentto help reach the city’s target of 10-11million international tourists in 2020.
The countries are Sweden, Denmark, Russia, the Republic of Korea, theUK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Accordingly, people from the above-mentioned countries would nothave to apply for a visa if their stay in Vietnam does not exceed 30 days,instead of 15 days of the current policy.
The department said the Government should extend the policy forpeople from these countries so that they may stay a longer time in a moreconvenient and less expensive way.
Lastyear, about 5.2 million international tourists came to the city, an increase of10 percent compared to 2015.
During the last two years, the number of tourists from the UK,France, Germany, Italy and Spain increased by 14 percent each year, thanks inpart to the latest visa exemption policy.
The department said the visa exemption policy should be for fiveyears.
Travel expert Huynh Van Son said: "It will be hard for Vietnam’stourism growth to catch up with other countries in the region if the Governmentand relevant agencies do not seek solutions to improve standards and streamlineprocedures for visa requirements".
Research by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the WorldTravel and Tourism Council (WTTC) showed that based on the visa-free policy,the number of international tourists that come to ASEAN countries increased by3-5 percent per year, bringing significant economic benefits with them.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Vietnam’s tourism ranked 22nd in termsof Price Competitiveness of 141countries, but 119th in terms of visarequirements.
Only visitors from 22 countries are granted visas exemptions in Vietnamwhile Indonesia is exempting visas for visitors from 169 countries andterritories, the Philippines 165, Singapore 158, Malaysia 155, Thailand 61,Laos 40 and Cambodia 25.
﷽ Earlier,the city’s Tourism Association urged the Government to extend the visa waiverfor tourists from the 12 countries and territories, including Australia, NewZealand, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, France, Spain, Brazil, India, Ukraine,Latvia and Estonia.-VNA
The HCM City Tourism Association has asked the Government to extend the visa waiver for tourists from five Western European countries -- France, Italy, Germany, the UK, and Spain.
Visa waiver is an effective tool to promote tourism among economies, said Yasuto Kawarabayashi, Deputy Director General of the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), on June 19.
ASEAN is planning a single visa system, in the same way Europe's unified visa system has streamlined travel, to open the region to more foreign to more foreign tourists.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Foreign tourists in Ben Thanh market in HCM City(Photo: VNA) 
