The previous free-visa period expires in June 2018. The decision of renewing visa exemptions was approved by the country’s Prime Minister on May 3. According to the PM Vietnam should follow visa-free policy. At present visitors from 24 countries, among them nine ASEAN countries, come to the country without the visa. This policy is carried out unilaterally. In combination with tourism promotion this measure has contributed to raising the number of foreigners arriving in Viet Nam to almost 30% a year.
In 2015 720,000 people from Western Europe visited Viet Nam, in 2016 the number of visitors was 855,000 and in 2017 1.5 million. Visitors to Viet Nam from other countries have to get a visa in one of its diplomatic missions. The passport of the visitor must be valid for the next six months. The Government is going to consider the Tourism Association proposals on prolongation of stay in the country from 15 to 30 days. The expansion of visa exemption for more countries is on the agenda.
Vietnam to Continue Visa Exemptions for Five Western European Countries Citizens
News in Asia
The citizens of the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy will have a three-year period of entering Vietnam without a visa till 2020.