Visa leverage to accelerate tourism

"Powerful weapon" for destination competition

"The visa policy has been opened, this is a very strong boost for the tourism industry as the peak international tourism season at the end of the year is approaching. The target of welcoming 8 million visitors this year is completely possible to exceed thanks to the growth momentum in the peak international tourist season and the newly passed favorable policies," a leader of the General Department of Tourism excitedly shared right after the National Assembly passed the bill to amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam .

Đòn bẩy visa bứt tốc du lịch - Ảnh 1. — Tourism industry expects visa boost to create breakthrough in international visitors to Vietnam

According to this person, the consistent view of the tourism industry is that visas are not a bottleneck but this is a powerful "competitive weapon", especially in the context of increasingly "hot" destination competition. Compared to other countries in the region, our competitiveness is weaker despite possessing many advantages. The name Vietnam has never been closer to world tourists like now. Almost every week we have a destination, a hotel, a construction, a business or a dish in the top of the continental and world lists, voted by prestigious international news agencies. Vietnam is a popular destination for the two largest markets in the world, India and China. People from distant markets such as Europe and the US, after coming to Vietnam, all have a good impression and vote for us in the polls.

"With more open visa policies, Vietnam's tourism will certainly rebound very quickly in the coming period, and be able to compete with big names in the region. We expect that along with the entry and exit regulations, the list of visa-free countries will also be expanded soon. The tourism industry in the coming period will continue to strengthen connections, build promotional programs, create more unique and attractive products, and focus on investing in destinations...", the leader of the General Department of Tourism informed.

Immediately after the National Assembly approved the proposals to relax visa policies, Viet Travel Company immediately sent information to partners in many key markets such as Europe, the US, Australia, etc. about the new immigration policy. According to Ms. Pham Phuong Anh, General Director of Viet Travel Company, sending information early will help partners be proactive in deciding on destinations if they are still undecided. Viet Travel is planning to survey routes and design tour products for international tourists with tour itineraries from Vietnam to neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia, etc. to increase the length of stay of visitors in Vietnam .

"The more flexible and open visa policy will be a lever to help the tourism industry develop, increase the number of international visitors to Vietnam , and develop the tourism economy. We expect the new entry visa policy to increase the number of inbound visitors to the company by 5-25% per year," Ms. Phuong Anh emphasized.

Early sync with visa exemption list

Compared to one of the two wings of the plane, the aviation industry is equally eager when tourism is freed from the visa bottleneck to take off together. A representative of Vietravel Airlines assessed that Vietnam is facing a golden opportunity to expand its customer market with diverse customers. Recently, the Michelin list in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City was announced, marking a historical milestone when names from Vietnam officially appeared in the "number 1" guidebook on world culinary elite. Many foreign visitors will know Vietnam , want to come to Vietnam , not only because of the nature and culture but also to experience the cuisine that has been listed in the world's culinary elite.

Vietnam needs to create a stronger effect on the story of a flexible visa policy. It is necessary to improve the list of unilateral visa exemptions at the same time so that tourists have many different options. Tourists with short travel itineraries can take advantage of the visa exemption policy of up to 45 days; those who need to stay longer can use the online visa tool to stay up to 90 days.

Dr. Luong Hoai Nam, member of Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB)

"The extension of visas and the increase in the length of stay for tourists are major steps that demonstrate the determination to implement the policy of turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector according to the Resolution of the Politburo. On this momentum, if the list of visa-exempt countries is quickly expanded, it will create a great opportunity to promote international visitors to Vietnam from the third quarter of this year. The more international visitors come, the sooner tourism recovers completely, the more aviation will develop," said a representative of Vietravel Airlines.

Analyzing more clearly the positive impact of diversifying tourist sources, Dr. Luong Hoai Nam, a member of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), said that increasing the validity period of e-visas from 30 days to 90 days means increasing the flexibility of tourists when designing their trips. This will create opportunities for us to diversify the experiences of tourists many times over. For example, tourists can come to Vietnam for a while, then go to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or even return to their home country and then return to Vietnam to continue their experiences. The idea of "One visa - Many destinations" in the CLMV sub-region (Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam ) in which our country plays an important role will soon have the opportunity to become a reality.

In addition, this regulation is also suitable for some groups that have been difficult for Vietnamese tourism to exploit, such as the resort tourism segment for retirees to enjoy the entire winter or summer; "homeless" tourists - understood as workers who work online, both traveling and working remotely; and foreigners investing in real estate in Vietnam ... In the context of a difficult market and fierce competition like today, the more we expand the customer base, the sooner tourism will recover, and the more industries will benefit from tourism.

3 notable changes in new visa policy passed by Congress

- The duration of electronic visas (e-visas) will be increased from 30 to 90 days. The Government decides on the list of countries and territories whose citizens are granted e-visas; the list of international border gates that allow foreigners to enter and exit with e-visas.

- After being granted an electronic visa, within 90 days, foreigners can enter and exit the country an unlimited number of times, without having to apply for a new visa.

- Citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam are granted temporary residence for 45 days (previously 15 days) and are considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to regulations.

However, in order for visas to truly function and become a true "competitive weapon", Dr. Luong Hoai Nam believes that the list of visa-exempt countries also needs to be quickly expanded.

"The policy of expanding visa exemption needs to be decided early to take effect at the same time as the new immigration policy, creating resonance, bringing strong communication value to source markets. There should be no time lag between the official policies taking effect because it will be very difficult for promotion and advertising. The tourism industry should conduct roadshows, attend international tourism fairs, and go once to communicate the overall improvements of visa policies. It is impossible to only introduce the openness of online visas halfway, while the openness of the list is still waiting in anticipation," Dr. Luong Hoai Nam noted.

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