As Vietnam ramps up efforts to satisfy its bold goal of 23 million international guests this 12 months, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a directive to suggest extra handy and versatile visa insurance policies.
The suggestions vary from short-term exemption and improved approval procedures to particular preferential insurance policies for researchers, artists, athletes, specialists, scientists, traders and billionaires.
The prime minister referred to as on the ministries of public safety, nationwide protection, international affairs, and tradition, sports activities, and tourism to contemplate providing particular visa incentives.
The push comes because the nation’s Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) urged the federal government to roll out a long-term “golden visa” program that may permit international nationals to remain in Vietnam for as much as 10 years. International locations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have already carried out long-stay visa insurance policies.
What Does the Proposal Embrace?
The tourism advisory board’s proposal, submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, consists of three particular visa classes:
- A 5–10-year Golden Visa for normal long-term stays.
- A ten-year Investor Visa that makes the way in which for everlasting residency after 5 years.
- A 5-year Expertise Visa with streamlined renewal, geared toward attracting expert professionals, artists, researchers, and innovators.
To assist the federal government assess viability, TAB prompt the visas may very well be piloted in main tourism hubs like Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Hanoi, and Da Nang earlier than a broader nationwide rollout.
TAB has additionally advisable establishing a Visa Coverage Reform Board, involving each private and non-private sectors, to assessment and implement new visa varieties and incentives.
Preserving Up with the Neighbors
Vietnam’s push comes amid stiff regional competitors. Whereas Vietnam welcomed a record-breaking 17.6 million worldwide guests in 2024, international locations like Thailand and Malaysia are quickly closing in on their pre-Covid numbers. Thailand is simply 12% in need of its 40 million goal, whereas Malaysia is barely 4% away from returning to 26.1 million.
Vietnam dangers falling behind, TAB warned.
At present, Vietnam presents visa-free journey to residents of 30 international locations, far fewer than Thailand’s 93 or Malaysia’s 158.
Since March 1, Vietnam prolonged visa-free stays to 45 days for Polish, Czech, and Swiss vacationers and extended visa exemptions till 2028 for 12 main markets, together with South Korea and Japan.
Regardless of these measures, TAB argued that Vietnam’s present visa framework nonetheless lacks the flexibleness seen in different Southeast Asian nations.
Thailand has carried out applications just like the Lengthy-Time period Residence (LTR) Visa, which grants 10-year stays and different perks together with tax incentives, work permits, and property possession. Malaysia has revived its “My Second Dwelling” scheme, an initiative selling funding and long-term residency within the nation.
Singapore additionally continues to courtroom entrepreneurs and traders by its EntrePass and World Investor Program.
Vietnam’s Tourism Funding In contrast
Along with coverage gaps, TAB argued that Vietnam is considerably underfunded in its tourism promotion efforts. It comes as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore are investing considerably to draw worldwide vacationers.
“We don’t have information on the state funds allotted for selling tourism overseas. Nevertheless, this expenditure is actually insignificant, totaling lower than 200 billion VND, which is lower than 8 million USD.
“Our solely abroad tourism promotion program was beforehand funded by the non-public sector, however has now needed to cease because of the lack of a sustainable funding mechanism and assist from the federal government,” the TAB doc said, based on a Thanh Nien report.
Vietnam’s File Tourism Numbers
Nevertheless, the current visa coverage adjustments already present indicators of progress. The primary quarter of 2025 noticed over 6 million worldwide guests to Vietnam, the very best quarterly complete on report. The primary quarter arrivals had been virtually 30% above the identical interval final 12 months.
Chinese language vacationers led the way in which, with 1.6 million arrivals. That is the primary time that Vietnam has attracted extra Chinese language vacationers than Thailand. Within the first 3 months, Thailand bought 1.3 million Chinese language arrivals.
Issues over security, financial uncertainties in China, and altering journey preferences have led to a drop within the variety of Chinese language arrivals in Thailand.
Skift had earlier reported that whereas Chinese language vacationers have traditionally made up a big portion of Thailand’s tourism income, their reluctance to return in giant numbers spells bother for the nation.
Whereas South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan additionally contributed closely to the inbound surge in Vietnam, the nation witnessed substantial positive factors from markets like Russia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
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