Free visas are available to nationals of Japan, South Korea, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The extension of the policy flies in the face of a demand by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 2013.
The ministry claimed that giving out free visas was costing Vietnam US$50 million in lost income every year. Staffers at the ministry were vociferous in their condemnation of the free-visa policy and the spat was only settled when senior government ministers intervened.
Citizens of the eligible countries are able to get 15-day, single entry visas. Recently, prime-minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged national tourism agencies and foreign affairs bureau staff to work together with a view to extending visa-free entry to other nationalities.
The various concerned ministries have made several proposals this year on countries they would like to see added to the list. The European Union, the UK, the US and Australia have figured prominently in the proposals.
Over the past few years, Vietnam has tried to encourage international tourists to visit. In March, it introduced visa waivers for all visitors to the Mekong Delta island of Phu Quoc. Passport holders of ASEAN nations also do not currently need visas to enter Vietnam.
Vietnam continues free visas for favoured nations
News in Asia
The Vietnamese government has just confirmed it will carry on offering citizens of seven countries visa free entry. The new visa waiver regulation is due to last for the five years beginning on 1 January 2015.