In Directive No 8 issued recently, the Prime Minister has asked agencies to consider granting visas on arrival for foreign travelers and report back to him in the second quarter.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung this morning reported at the conference discussing the rapid and sustainable development of Vietnam tourism.

The list of international border gates allowing foreigners to enter and exit with electronic visas include 13 air, 16 land, and 13 sea border gates.

In a dialogue with city leaders, travel firms in HCM City said the visa policy has become more open but problems still exist: it’s difficult to apply for visas on the website, and lending interest rates remain too high.

Travel firms say they are ready to meet travelers’ requirements, including tailoring tours to specific tastes.

VNAT deputy head Ha Van Sieu stressed that international tourism is expected to grow sharply from now till the end of this year, mainly thanks to relaxed visa and immigration policies.

Internet searches for accommodation in Vietnam on an online travel platform surge after the National Assembly’s recent reinstatement of 90-day visas for Vietnam-bound travelers.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has submitted a letter to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposing the expansion of the country’s visitor visa exemption list to include all 27 EU member states.

The encouraging results in attracting foreign travelers in the first six months of the year have lifted the spirit of travel firms, with expectations high to reach 8 million foreign travelers for 2023.

Vietnam wants to become a luxury tourism market to receive high-spending and long-staying travelers. The new visa policy is the first step to help Vietnam receive new sources of travelers.

The return of three-month tourist visas makes it much easier for unscrupulous companies to hire foreigners illegally without going through the necessary work permit and visa motions.

Some international reports and websites have listed VN among the countries that are friendly to retiree expats for its affordability, however, those who want to retire here are being hampered because of challenges they need to overcome to get a visa.

Vietnam’s new visa policy may help the country welcome 12 million foreign tourists this year, far surpassing the target of 8 million set previously, said Hoang Nhan Chinh, Secretariat Director of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB).

From August 15, people with Vietnamese e-visas can enter and exit the country any number of times within 90 days, a long-awaited and major overhaul of the country’s visa system that is expected to revive tourism and hospitality.

The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam is predicted to see a 1.5-fold increase following the extension of tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days from August 15, according to insiders.

The National Assembly on April 24 approved extending tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days, starting from August 15, 2023, at its ongoing fifth session.

Tourism experts have recommended allowing a unilateral visa waiver for 30 days for golf tourists and tourists travelers on special airplanes.

Will Vietnam's tourism see a boost soon? Industry insiders are optimistic about future prospects as the Government weighs up a 90-day e-visa to gain a competitive edge as a leading tourism destination.

Vietnam has vowed to reform its visa policy as it believes this is the key to attract more foreign travelers to Vietnam. However, some problems still exist.