EuroCham, the leading voice of the European business community in Vietnam, has proposed the expansion of Vietnam's visitor visa exemption list to encompass all 27 EU member countries.
In a letter to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the commerce chamber said it recognized the recent efforts undertaken by the Vietnamese government to streamline its visa system, EuroCham appreciates the extension of e-visa validity to a 90-day period, enabling multiple entries and exits starting from August 15.
EuroCham commends the Vietnamese authorities for extending the temporary residence period for citizens from countries exempt from visas by Vietnam to 45 days, it added.
However, it said further measures are necessary to fully capitalize on the vast potential of the EU-Vietnam economic relationship and foster robust economic growth. Presently, the visitor visa exemption list includes only seven EU member countries, namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.
With the aim of promoting enhanced trade and investment opportunities, EuroCham underlined the vital importance of expanding the visitor visa exemption list to encompass all 27 EU member countries.
"This expansion will bring in a large number of travelers from the EU market, which has a population of over 500 million. By removing barriers for high-income international travelers to visit Vietnam, we will undoubtedly unlock amazing opportunities for the country's economy after a difficult few years," said Gabor Fluit, chairman of EuroCham Vietnam.
"It's not only about the sheer number of visitors, but also the extended duration of their stays and their substantial purchasing power where European travelers truly stand out. European travelers tend to stay much longer, often for two weeks or more. This extended period allows them more of an opportunity to contribute to the economy, and perhaps even explore business prospects along the way. It's all about creating room for travelers to create more value during their visit,” he added.
This initiative has garnered substantial support from Team Europe, with the appeal being co-signed by 18 ambassadors of EU members to Vietnam as well as the chairs of national European business associations. The appeal, addressed to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and Ministry of Public Security, highlights the considerable potential for the positive impact on the Vietnamese economy resulting from an expanded visitor visa exemption list.
It anticipates a significant increase in European travelers and a surge in business activities as a direct result. EuroCham envisions this will play a pivotal role in stimulating the economy, expanding trade opportunities, and increasing foreign direct investment inflows, according to its release.
Vietnam welcomed nearly 5.6 million international visitors in the first half of this year, accounting for 66% of the figure the country recorded in 2019 before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – the new name for the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism from July 1.
The UK, France, and Germany were the three biggest markets for Vietnam tourism in Europe.
Vietnam aims to welcome 110 million tourists including 8 million international visitors in 2023 and earn about VND650 trillion ($27.56 billion) from tourism.