Proposal to offer visa incentives to the super-rich to attract high-end tourism

Two millionaires experience feeding pigs in Quang Nam. And according to many businesses, if Vietnam has a preferential visa policy for the super-rich, it will attract high-end tourism - Photo: AAV

Recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed to promote tourism development, ensuring double-digit economic growth.

In particular, the Prime Minister requested ministries and branches to coordinate research and propose preferential visa policies for the following subjects: researchers, artists, world-famous athletes, experts, scientists , investors, billionaires entering Vietnam for the purpose of tourism, investment in technology development, etc.

A billionaire comes to Vietnam and spends money equivalent to… tens of thousands of regular visitors.

On April 11, speaking with Tuoi Tre Online, Mr. Nguyen Chau A - founder and general director of Oxalis Group - said that for special groups such as investors, celebrities or billionaires, the most convenient way to travel is to just "bring your passport and fly". Because these are busy people, their schedules often arise unexpectedly and they require high confidentiality when traveling.

"Therefore, I think visa exemption for them is an initial victory. However, how to confirm that they belong to the preferential group. Maybe the Government will consider the "golden visa" type, the partner will submit to the state agency to grant this group a visa with a validity of 1-3 years.

At that time, they were given special CIP (Commercially Important Person) pick-up service at the airport, allowed to have a car pick them up at the stairs, given priority in procedures, and hired escort and security services. Similar to diplomatic VIPs, but this is a business type," said Mr. A.

The CEO of Oxalis Group cited the case that Thailand did, which is the case of American billionaire Bill Gates coming to this country, he automatically enjoyed the policy of being picked up at the plane stairs, checked in by a secretary and taken straight to the car. He even provided a motorbike escort service...

"This will encourage rich people, celebrities, and businessmen to come to Vietnam, because they alone spend as much on services as tens of thousands of regular customers," Mr. A emphasized.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Tran Hoang Phuong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Golden Smile Travel (Golden Smile Corporation) - said: this is a policy that not only Thailand but also other tourism-developed countries have implemented for a long time, with very clear effects on tourism development.

Mr. Phuong explained that the world's millionaires and billionaires often travel and they go to countries to experience; then they invest locally.

Therefore, there is a need for an absolute priority immigration policy and support. The government can create a list of criteria to receive priority tourism policies and investment promotion, including being welcomed and working with local authorities.

Need more preferential travel programs

Vietluxtour travel agency representative assessed that visa incentives for some groups such as celebrities, billionaires... this is a good policy if implemented. Because they have a certain influence on the public, if they "go viral" a positive image when traveling to Vietnam, it is also an effective way to promote the destination.

Vietluxtour representative commented: "For the visa exemption policy to be truly effective, other incentives need to be added. Visa exemption alone is not attractive enough, especially for special tourists such as investors, celebrities or billionaires.

Even for regular tourists, the current policy is not attractive enough, so for influential people, more special preferential policies are needed to attract their attention and build long-term relationships - so that they become companions of Vietnam."

As an example, Vietluxtour representative cited cases where major fashion brands in the world often have preferential programs for beauty queens and celebrities to use their products. This is also to promote and become friends of that brand.

The elite need more than a visa

Assessing this as a strategic policy, in line with world tourism trends, Dr. Duong Duc Minh, Deputy Director of the Institute for Economic and Tourism Development Research, emphasized that the elite are not only tourists, but also "channels for spreading soft values", creating a strong communication effect, enhancing the national image in the international arena.

But attracting the elite to Vietnam is just the beginning, according to Mr. Minh.

To move from “first experience” to “returning again,” it is essential to create a service experience at the appropriate level.

Mr. Minh proposed: "Visa incentive policies need to go hand in hand with strategies to specify products, personalize experiences, upgrade services, and establish a high-quality tourism ecosystem.

When elite individuals feel valued, comfortable and professional in every experience, they will not only return but also become the most loyal and trusted referrers to Vietnam.

Therefore, visa incentives are not only an access policy, but also a commitment to a vision of sustainable tourism development, with depth, towards high-value segments and long-term effects."

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/de-xuat-uu-dai-thi-thuc-cho-gioi-sieu-giau-de-thu-hut-du-lich-cao-cap-20250411122441615.htm