Vietnam has unilaterally exempted visas for 13 countries, which are key tourist destinations.

This afternoon, March 18, the question and answer session at the 31st Session of the National Assembly Standing Committee continued with the response of Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Delegate Ta Thi Yen - Deputy Head of the Delegation Affairs Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee emphasized that Vietnam has transformed from a war-torn, poor, and backward country into a developing country. In 2023, Vietnam will have an average per capita income, a GDP of about 433.3 billion USD, ranking 5th in the ASEAN region, 35th in the world, the third most populous country in the ASEAN region and 15th in the world.

viet nam da mien thi thuc don phuong voi 13 nuoc, la dia ban du lich trong diem hinh anh 1 — Delegate Ta Thi Yen

In recent years, Vietnam has always been voted as a favorite destination for tourists. And we have also unilaterally or signed visa exemption agreements with a number of countries to facilitate tourism attraction and foreign investment in Vietnam.

In addition, the number of Vietnamese people going abroad to work and travel is also very large. However, there are still quite a few countries that exempt visas for Vietnamese citizens and the visa application process for Vietnamese citizens is still quite difficult and complicated.

“May I ask the Minister, what is the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this issue? What solutions does the Ministry have to improve this situation, create more convenience for Vietnamese citizens when traveling abroad and facilitate the issuance of visas for foreigners to enter Vietnam to match the country's position in the current period?” – the female delegate asked.

Responding to delegates, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son reiterated General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's assertion that our country has never had the potential, position and international prestige it has today.

This is demonstrated by the fact that countries are very interested in increasing visits, promoting tourism, and cooperating with Vietnam; considering Vietnam a safe and effective destination, with many scenic spots, culture, and history.

Minister Bui Thanh Son also emphasized that in the current trend of deep international integration, not only citizens of other countries come to Vietnam but also Vietnamese citizens have a great need to go abroad to work, travel,...

With its responsibility, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has implemented three important measures to promote international exchanges. That is to continue to coordinate with ministries and branches to simplify immigration procedures. Recently, the National Assembly passed the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreign Citizens in Vietnam. This has created many conveniences, including extending the length of stay in Vietnam and increasing the issuance of tourist visas.

viet nam da mien thi thuc don phuong voi 13 nuoc, la dia ban du lich trong diem hinh anh 2 — Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son answers questions

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Vietnam currently unilaterally exempts visas for 13 countries, which are key tourist destinations. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates with other ministries and sectors to negotiate with other countries and bilaterally exempt visas for 15 countries. The Ministry is also negotiating with 80 countries on bilateral visa exemptions, reciprocity for diplomatic and official passports.

“Recently, we have created very good conditions. The upcoming policy, according to the Government's direction, will be to negotiate and sign bilateral visa exemptions, both creating opportunities for citizens to go abroad and creating conditions for foreign citizens to enter Vietnam,” said Mr. Bui Thanh Son.

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