(Hanoi, 2nd) – The Vietnamese government has implemented a visa-free policy for citizens of 12 countries starting August 15, and the results in the first month have been impressive. This move is regarded as a crucial strategic initiative to drive the recovery of the tourism sector and strengthen Vietnam’s position on the global tourism map.
According to Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland can enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days, provided they meet entry requirements, regardless of passport type. This policy is effective from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028.
The relaxed visa policy is expected to attract more international conferences and exhibitions to Vietnam and stimulate growth in the aviation, transportation, retail, and service industries. Data from the General Statistics Office show that in July 2025, Vietnam received 1.56 million international arrivals, a month-on-month increase of 6.8% and a year-on-year increase of 35.7%. Cumulatively, in the first seven months, arrivals reached 12.23 million, an increase of 22.5% year-on-year.
Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung, a lecturer at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, National Economics University, pointed out that the visa-free policy is key to enhancing tourism competitiveness. He emphasized that relying solely on natural attractions makes it difficult to surpass neighboring countries, and that convenient entry experiences are a real differentiator. With simplified procedures, tourists often stay longer and spend more, generating far more economic value than visa revenues.
Industry insiders have suggested that for the tourism industry to achieve a breakthrough, visa facilitation must go hand-in-hand with improvements in infrastructure, transportation connectivity, professional marketing, diversification of products, and enhanced service quality, while also emphasizing environmental protection and green tourism. Only by doing so can visas truly become a crucial engine for Vietnam’s tourism to reach new heights.