Hanoi (VNA)- The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) recently posted an article, saying that an extension of electronic visa (e-visa) to 90 days is the Southeast Asဣian neighbor’s latest effort to lure more overseas tourist dollars to Vietnam. 

Thai PBS said that starting from August 15, visitors with an e-visa can enter and exit Vietnam an unlimited number of times within 90 days without applying for a new visa. Thanks to this new policy, foreign tourists can stay in Vietnam longer, enjoy more services, and most importantly spend more tourism dollars. Travel business operators in Vietnam have also issued promotions and offers, hoping to help double visitor spending. Hanoi Tourist Travel Company director, Le Hong Thai said that tourists on a custom-made tour spend twice as much as visitors on a traditional tour, and they are estimating a 20% increase on average in revenue from international visitors to Vietnam. In the first half year of 2023, Vietnam welcomed nearly 5.6 million international visitors, reaching 69% of the year plan, total tourism revenue reached over 14.5 million USD. With an open door policy as a way to restore tourism to pre-COVID-19 levels, Vietnam has set a target to welcome a lofty eight million international visitors in 2023. On June 24, the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam passed a law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on exit and entry of foreign and Vietnamese citizens, and the residence of foreigners in Vietnam. Accordingly, the NA agreed to extend the duration of the e-visa from 30 days to 90 days, valid for multiple entry, and increase the temporary stay at border gates for people entering the country under unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days. The law takes effect from August 15, 2023. The extension of the e-visa validity to 90 days, valid for one time or multiple times, aims to meet the demand of international tourists and create favorable conditions for foreigners who want to enter Vietnam to study, conduct market research, and invest or expand their business in the country. Vietnam is issuing e-visas to citizens of 80 countries and territories, mainly with a duration of 30 days, and visa-free for citizens of 25 countries. Many travel companies expect the new policy will be a lever to help the tourism industry develop, increase the number of international visitors to Vietnam and develop a sustainable tourism economy in the coming time. Some foreign media firms have commented that with these new changes in visa policy, Vietnam can attract more international visitors and promote socioeconomic development. Most recently, the German tourism news site reisetopia.de published an article saying that the new regulations will also contribute to boosting growth of tourism industry so that Vietnam can regain its position as an attractive tourism destination in Southeast Asia. According to data from Agoda, an online travel agency and metasearch engine for holidaymakers, the number of searches for information about Vietnam's visa renewal policy from international tourists has increased by 33% in the two weeks immediately after the National Assembly's approval. Interest in the renewal policy of Vietnam's e-visa is still on the rise, signaling a tourism windfall to follow. Leading in the number of accommodation searches were visitors from France, up 72% compared to the previous two weeks. Other countries and territories such as New Zealand, Germany, the US also recorded an increase of 38-45% in tourism interest to Vietnam./.