Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will answer questions related to the issue of visa exemption for citizens of certain countries on March 18, according to the government's portal.

Foreign tourists at a Buddhist pagoda in Ninh Binh Province in northern Vietnam, 2023.

In a report submitted to the committee before the question-and-answer session, Son said his ministry will work closely with the Ministry of Public Security to propose the list of eligible countries for unilateral expansion.

He said his ministry has been increasing promotion campaigns about Vietnam's visa policy and guiding foreign citizens to carry out e-visa applications.

Last month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered the ministries of foreign affairs and public security ministries to expand the list of countries whose citizens are unilaterally exempted from visas from the current 13.

The list now has Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.

Vietnam now waives visas for travelers from 25 countries compared to 162 for Malaysia and Singapore, 157 for the Philippines, 68 for Japan, 66 for South Korea and 64 for Thailand.

Many Southeast Asian countries are increasing their competitiveness to attract foreign tourists with visa-free policies. Thailand and Malaysia have waived visas for Chinese and Indian tourists since late last year.

Under the current immigration policy, Vietnam grants three-month tourist visas for citizens from all countries and territories.

The government also tripled the duration of stays in Vietnam to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas from August last year.

New visa policy makes Vietnam more attractive to foreign visitors

Vietnam welcomed more than 11.2 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of 2023 and a record 1.23 million in November alone. Such figures are due in no small part to the country’s new visa policy that came into effect in August.

Vietnamese leader seeks Japan visa waiver

President Vo Van Thuong has called on the Japanese government to ease entry procedures and waive visas for Vietnamese citizens during a meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Key highlights of Vietnam's visa policy for foreigners

Foreign tourists visiting Vietnam will be subject to a new visa policy beginning on August 15, 2023, with notable changes including the issuance of 90-day e-visas and an increase in the temporary stay period for people entering the country under unilateral visa exemption to 45 days.

Vietnam, Mongolia agree on visa exemption

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh witnessed Wednesday the signing of an agreement for mutual visa waiver for the nationals of the two countries.

Hong Kong relaxes visa rules for Vietnam

Hong Kong has announced that Vietnamese visitors will be granted multiple-entry visas valid for two years starting Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia considers granting e-visas to Vietnamese tourists

Saudi Arabia is considering the issuance of e-visas to visitors from Vietnam as well as the possibility of bilateral visa exemptions as both countries seek to boost tourism.

Source: VnExpress