PM requests reform of e-visa procedures

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the Ministry of Public Security to increase the use of information technology and reform administrative procedures related to the issuance and application of e-visas at international border gates.

He also asked for reviewing and amending visa policies to facilitate the entry of tourists, says a notice on the Prime Minister's instruction released Sunday.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to team up with other relevant agencies and consult with businesses and experts to soon finalize a draft prime ministerial directive on promoting the attraction of international tourists to the country in the new situation to be issued in January 2023.

Since March 2022, Vietnam has completely reopened tourism activities, welcoming international visitors earlier than many countries in the region. The tourism market has gradually recovered, while domestic tourism has rebounded strongly.

However, the number of international tourists to Vietnam fell sharply in 2022 to only 3.5 million, hitting 70% of the year’s five-million target, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

The decrease was derived from China’s ‘Zero-covid’ policy, Vietnam’s limited visa policy, the Ukraine- Russia war, and the global economic downturn in the last months of the year.

In December, 2022, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had proposed the government extend the temporary stay period for international visitors to Vietnam from 15 days to 30 days.

The 15-day visa exemption period is very short compared to other countries in ASEAN, and not suitable for the long-term travel needs of international tourists, especially markets as far away as Europe, who often travel for three to four weeks, it argued.

The visa-free period of many ASEAN countries lasts from 30 days to 45 days, even 90 days. For example, Thailand launched its Special Tourist Visa of Thailand (STV) for guests staying up to 90 days.

Besides, there is increasing competition from countries in the region. Many create attractive conditions by providing visa-free entry for international visitors. For instance, Malaysia and Singapore have visa-free policies for 162 countries. The figures for the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are 157, 65 and 24, respectively.