Signed on December 8, 2023, in Hanoi by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov, the agreement reflects a significant milestone in the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

Under the agreement, citizens holding ordinary passports from both nations can stay visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days within a year.

Strengthening Vietnam-Belarus relations

Witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, the signing ceremony marked a step forward in facilitating cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries.

The agreement is part of Vietnam’s broader efforts to foster international tourism, particularly welcoming Belarusian tourists.

It also aims to promote cultural exchange, market exploration, and the overall growth of bilateral relations in various sectors, including trade, security, and education.

A foundation of mutual cooperation

Vietnam and Belarus have maintained a strong political and diplomatic relationship, characterized by regular exchanges of delegations and high-level meetings.

The visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passports, signed in 1993, laid the groundwork for this new development. Since 2015, Belarusian citizens have already enjoyed visa-free entry into Vietnam, regardless of passport type.

This latest agreement reflects Vietnam’s commitment to establishing reciprocal and mutually beneficial visa policies with partner countries.

It underscores a shared desire to facilitate travel and strengthen people-to-people connections, paving the way for deeper collaboration across diverse fields.

Tran Thuong