Vietnam’s new e-visa renewal policy, set to launch on August 15, is creating a buzz in the tourism industry, drawing attention from both domestic and international travelers.
The recently approved policy, allowing e-visas with a validity of up to 90 days, has prompted a surge in online searches. According to the popular travel platform Agoda, within just two weeks of its approval by the Vietnamese National Assembly, searches related to the new visa policy increased by a notable 33 percent.
Among the countries showing the most interest in the updated visa policy are France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, and the United States. These long-haul travelers, mainly from North America, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and other far-off destinations, often face stricter visa policies when compared to other Southeast Asian countries and the broader Asia-Pacific region. With the option of a 90-day visa, these travelers are more inclined to plan longer vacations, making Vietnam an attractive destination.
The combination of increased visa flexibility, ease of the issuance process, promotional efforts, and expanded flight services has significantly contributed to attracting more tourists to Vietnam. This positive trend is seen as a promising sign toward achieving Vietnam’s target of welcoming 8 million foreign visitors by the end of the year. As of now, Vietnam has already received approximately 5.57 million foreign tourists since the beginning of the year.
India has emerged as a significant beneficiary of the visa policy change, climbing from the eighth position to become the second-largest international market for hotel bookings in Vietnam, closely following South Korea.
The tourism authorities in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) are seizing this opportunity to further develop MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism in the city. In the first half of this year, HCMC witnessed a remarkable 306 percent year-on-year increase in foreign tourist arrivals, totaling over 1.9 million visitors, constituting 38.8 percent of the 2023 plan. Additionally, domestic visitors surpassed 16.4 million, growing by 48 percent compared to the previous year and reaching 46.9 percent of the annual target.
Eligible individuals for the new three-month visa to Vietnam include tourists from specific countries, as well as business travelers with sponsorship from an agency or organization within Vietnam. Foreigners with a passport valid for at least one year before their trip, and those not on the list of individuals barred from entering Vietnam as outlined in the Law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners, are also eligible.
Applicants can obtain the three-month visa through two methods: at the Embassy/Consulate or through a visa on arrival. The cost varies depending on the chosen method, ranging from $25 for a single entry and $50 for multiple entries when applying at the Embassy/Consulate. For a visa approval letter, additional fees ranging from $25 to $150 may apply, depending on the policies of travel/visa agencies in Vietnam.
These exciting changes in Vietnam’s e-visa policy are expected to boost tourism and strengthen the country’s position as an attractive destination for international visitors. As the August 15 launch date approaches, the tourism industry eagerly awaits the arrival of more travelers to explore the beauty and cultural richness of Vietnam.