Visa exemption for 3 European countries, more opportunities to attract international visitors

With Vietnam unilaterally exempting visas for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland from March 1, lasting until the end of 2025, many tourism businesses expect to attract more tourists to these new markets.

European tourists traveling in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of February 2025 - Photo: QUANG DINH

However, many tourism and travel businesses expressed concern that the visa exemption will only last until the end of 2025, which will not give travel companies enough time to develop suitable tours and take advantage of this opportunity...

Visa exemption, opportunity to welcome tourists from new markets

Speaking with Tuoi Tre , Ms. Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, Deputy General Director of Vietravel , acknowledged that the 2025 tourism stimulus program combined with visa exemptions for three more countries aims to attract more tourists from new markets, increasing access to potential markets.

This enterprise will participate in promotional programs, cultural events and communication campaigns in Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland, helping to build the enterprise's brand image in the international arena, increase international cooperation opportunities, expand the network of partners...

However, according to Ms. Hoang, the program, which will be in effect until the end of 2025, is relatively short enough to build sustainable relationships and travel habits among tourists. "Due to the short time frame, small businesses or those without partnerships in the three countries may not be able to take advantage of this opportunity compared to companies that already have an international distribution system," Ms. Hoang said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Le Thi Tham, manager of a resort in Ho Tram, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, said that visa exemption for citizens of three European countries is good news for the tourism industry. "We will create new product packages suitable for European guests, especially countries that have recently been exempted from visas," Ms. Tham said.

According to the leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, the visa exemption policy for Polish, Czech and Swiss citizens entering Vietnam has opened up great opportunities for the tourism industry in particular and the Vietnamese economy in general. Because investors from the three countries will have more advantages in coming to Vietnam to survey the market, find partners and participate in economic conferences.

"These countries have many prominent businesses in the high-tech and financial markets. The trade connection between Vietnamese and foreign businesses will be stronger in the coming time. In addition, this policy will create a premise for Vietnamese tourism to access other markets in Europe," he said.

Stimulus program needs to be longer term

According to Mr. Tran The Dung - Deputy Director of The He Tre Travel Company, this year's tourism stimulus program is very positive, widespread, and has a good effect for businesses to plan to welcome guests. However, the visa exemption period is too short.

"Stimulating demand takes at least a year. Businesses need time to plan, promote, and then sell their products. Only then will the program be effective and we will feel like we have reaped big rewards from stimulating demand...", Mr. Dung said.

According to Mr. Dung, although airlines have also participated in the stimulus program, airfares have been quite high recently. Therefore, for the stimulus program to be effective, the tourism industry needs to sit down with airlines and coordinate to come up with appropriate discount and stimulus packages. "The stimulus program needs to be applied to both domestic and international tourists and needs to be long-term," Mr. Dung suggested.

The director of the tourism department in a central province also said that exempting visas for citizens of some countries will contribute to diversifying the source market of Vietnamese tourism.

However, there needs to be adequate cooperation between airlines, travel agencies and management agencies to build attractive tourism packages, optimize costs and enhance tourist experiences.

According to Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in addition to the general stimulus program of the tourism industry, each locality joins in, Ho Chi Minh City also has its own stimulus program.

"HCMC does not focus on any fixed time in its own program to stimulate tourism, but instead joins hands with large corporations in the world to reduce prices according to the time when purchasing power and demand are weak," said Mr. Hoa.

Admitting that the time is too short to benefit from the 2025 tourism stimulus program, Mr. Hoa said: "We will learn more about the situation from businesses and work with the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association to discuss extending the stimulus period."

International visitors to Vietnam increase sharply

According to data from the General Statistics Office, in January 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors, an increase of 36.9% over the same period in 2024. In 2025, Vietnam's tourism industry aims to welcome 22 - 23 million international visitors and 120 - 130 million domestic visitors.

Previously, in 2024, Vietnam's tourism industry welcomed more than 17.5 million international visitors, equal to 98% compared to 2019 - the peak year of tourism. Of which, Asian visitors accounted for 79.6%, European 11.3%, American 5.7% and African 0.3%.

Citizens of 16 countries are exempt from visas

From March 1, citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland are exempted from visas when entering Vietnam, effective until December 31, 2025 under the framework of the Tourism Development Stimulus Program in 2025, Resolution 11 of the Government on visa exemption.

With the above policy, citizens of the three countries Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland will be exempted from visas for a temporary stay of 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purposes under programs organized by Vietnamese international travel service businesses. Regardless of passport type, on the basis of meeting all entry conditions according to Vietnamese law.

Previously, Vietnam officially exempted visas for 45 days from the date of entry for citizens of 13 countries: South Korea, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belarus.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mien-visa-cho-3-nuoc-chau-au-them-co-hoi-thu-hut-khach-quoc-te-20250304075102642.htm