Vietnam visa policy needs to be relaxed

The American travel magazine Travel Off Path said: Vietnam is a wonderful natural destination with a 3,260 km long coastline with white sand beaches, clear water and a fascinating culture. This is one of the most trending destinations in Southeast Asia and should definitely not be missed on your next trip to this region.

Phu Quoc - a favorite destination for foreign tourists

A tiring experience

While most countries allow foreigners at least 3 months stay upon entry, Vietnam does not issue tourist visas longer than 30 days.

To attract more foreign tourists at this time of recovery, the “key” the country needs to do is change its visa policy, according to Mr. Chris Farewell, a member of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB).

Very few foreigners are exempt from visas to enter Vietnam, but even when eligible, they are not allowed to stay for more than 15 days. This is the case for citizens of some European countries and some other Asian tourists, but not Americans or Canadians. Most American and Canadian visitors must apply for an e-visa before boarding a flight to Vietnam, which is an online entry permit. The visa application process is quite simple, with online application and visa fee payment usually taking no more than 10 minutes.

The only major downside is that e-visas are limited to 30 days of use, and extending your visa or taking a day trip to a neighboring country like Laos or Cambodia and re-applying for entry can be a tedious experience. Vietnam’s vastness and endless supply of world wonders mean that many visitors who can’t make it all in a month are forced to leave.

Fortunately, this will change soon, likely as soon as May.

International visitors need more time in Vietnam to explore the destination.

Great news for travelers wanting to explore Vietnam

As part of its plan to boost tourism, the Government will propose to the National Assembly to extend the validity of e-visas from 30 days to a maximum of three months.

According to the Government Office, the revised e-visa will be valid for single or multiple entries, unlike the current visa, which is usually single-entry and cannot be reused for subsequent entries.

Citizens of 80 countries are now eligible for e-visas to Vietnam, including Americans, Australians and British citizens.

The government also proposed that e-visas should be made universal. In other words, all countries could soon be included in the e-visa program, eliminating the need for a physical visa pre-approved by a consulate, a process that has deterred international tourists from coming to Vietnam.

Countries that have signed visa exemption agreements with Vietnam, such as some European countries, Japan and South Korea, may have their 15-day e-visa exemption period extended to 30.

The increase in the e-visa limit to three months is great news for travelers looking to explore Vietnam at a much slower pace.

Slow travel and digital nomadism are strong post-pandemic trends, and they require much looser visa regulations than those currently applied in Vietnam.

Three-month e-visas could begin to be issued after Parliament passes them in May and the new policy becomes law.

However, no official date has been set yet.

American tourists are one of the two leading sources of visitors to Vietnam, second only to South Korea.

In 2023, Vietnam expects to welcome 8 million international visitors and easing e-visa issuance is one of many measures to achieve that goal.

Until the new e-visa is implemented, US and Canadian passport holders will still only be allowed to stay in Vietnam for 30 days.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-my-chinh-sach-thi-thuc-viet-nam-can-noi-long-185230330113948934.htm