Favourable visa policy boosts tourism recovery: Director
Foreign arrivals have been on track for full recovery since Vietnam opened its border two years ago on the back of a favourable visa policy, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said at the National Assembly’s Q&A session on March 18.
The tourism sector has seen robust growth from the European market. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign arrivals have been on track for a full recoverysince Vietnam opened its border two years ago on the back of a favourable visapolicy, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen TrungKhanh said at the National Assembly’s Q&A session on March 18.
The tourism sector has seen robust growth from the European market, he said, elaboratingmarkets with sound recovery in 2023 included Spain (91%), Germany (88%), the UK(80%), and France (75%).
According to Khanh, in the first two months of this year, the number of tourist arrivalsfrom the UK surged 32.6%, France 34.6%, Germany 37.1%, Spain 48.5%, and Italy82.3% year-on-year. Under the unilateral visa exemption that took effect onAugust 15, 2023, all tourists from these markets have had their visa-free stayin Vietnam extended to 45 from 15 days.
Vietnam now waives visas for travelers from 25 countries, with 13 enjoyingunilaterally exemption. Most recently, the Prime Minister directed competent authorities to studyand recommend favourable policies on immigration, expansion of unilateral visaexemptions, and pilot grant of visa at border gates, he said.
Voter Le Cong Nang, CEO at WonderTour, proposed the Government expandunilateral visa exemption for citizens from countries with a higher level of economicdevelopment, especially western countries, as well as offer short-term freevisa for markets with large source of tourists like China and India.
He described the expansion of visa waiver as an invitation for foreigners,helping lure more international tourists to Vietnam, adding travel firms have benefited a lot from the policy rolled out new offerings to visitors.
The sector is expecting a full recovery this year and reach the levels in2019 – the time before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, aiming to welcome 18 million international visitors, 110domestic travelers, and gain 840 trillion VND (33.96 billion USD) in tourismrevenue./.
Group tourists from three Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, can travel without a visa to the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Jeonllanam-do province (Jeonnam) through Muan international airport until March 2025, according to a statement released by the provincial administration on February 27.
Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau (China) Pham Binh Dam has suggested the authority of the Macau Special Administrative Region take measures to resume and expand two-way tourism, including relaxing visa policies for Vietnamese visitors.
Some 62% of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-businesses reported increased revenue after adopting digital payments, according to a recent study on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Vietnam released by Visa, a global leader in digital payments.
Each summer, Bac Giang welcomes not just the fruit harvest, but also a wave of visitors eager to explore its landscape and culture. Once a purely agricultural product, lychees are increasingly becoming a signature feature of sustainable tourism in the region.
Localities like Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, when reorganised, could form a new growth pole, leveraging their combined potential in ecological, historical, and spiritual tourism.
Gulf News, one of two English-language daily publications in the Persian Gulf region, listed the main reasons for its destination picks as being a mix of iconic cities, cultural treasures, tropical escapes, and foodie havens.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
Located at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa is dubbed the “Switzerland of Vietnam” for its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, and European-inspired architecture.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
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.
The tourism sector has seen robust growth from the European market. (Photo: VNA) 
