Tourism awaits "visa-free" boost

Representatives of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham Vietnam) have just sent a letter to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to propose expanding the list of visa exemptions for tourists from 27 European Union (EU) member countries.

Opportunities for both tourism and trade

According to EuroCham, the current visa exemption list only includes 7 EU member states: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. With the aim of promoting trade and investment opportunities, EuroCham Vietnam emphasizes the importance of expanding the visa exemption list to include all 27 EU member states.

"This expanded visa exemption will bring in a large number of visitors from the EU market of more than 500 million people. By removing barriers for international visitors - those with high spending needs when visiting Vietnam, we will certainly open up great opportunities for the tourism industry," said Mr. Gabor Fluit, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam.

Visa exemption for 27 EU member states will be a lever to help Vietnam tourism recover.

According to EuroCham, the increase in European tourist arrivals will lead to an expansion in EU-Vietnam business investment activities. This will play an important role in stimulating economic growth, expanding trade opportunities and increasing foreign direct investment flows.

"European tourists tend to stay for long periods of time, usually two weeks or more. This period allows them to make a significant contribution to the Vietnamese economy and explore more about business prospects during that time," explained the Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam.

Previously, the Law on Amendments and Supplements to 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, which was recently passed and took effect from August 15, has many regulations related to visa issuance. Accordingly, the validity of an electronic visa (evisa) will be increased from 30 to a maximum of 90 days, allowing citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam to temporarily stay for 45 days (previously 15 days).

Advantages of early promotion

Speaking to reporters from the Lao Dong Newspaper, leaders of many tourism businesses said that the proposal to exempt visas for EU countries is necessary, especially in the context of tourism not recovering as expected.

Mr. Phan Xuan Anh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viet Tourism Company, said that Europe has been one of the traditional sources of tourists for decades, since the day Vietnam tourism first developed.

"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand of European visitors to Vietnam is increasing and the visa policy, if announced to be exempted for many countries from this market, will greatly contribute to promoting, attracting and welcoming visitors," Mr. Xuan Anh said.

Telling the story of visas, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, CEO of Image Travel & Event Company, said that in a few days the company will welcome a group of Belgian tourists to Vietnam. However, whether this group of tourists will have the opportunity to explore their destination or not depends on the "last minute" because they have to apply for a visa urgently. Meanwhile, if they are exempted from visas, tourists can freely plan their travel, especially since after the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend of "packing up and going" among European tourists is increasing.

According to Mr. Toan, Image Travel & Event Company has welcomed groups of guests from Europe with many nationalities such as France, Belgium, etc. French guests are exempt from visas so they enter the country quickly, while Belgian guests have to wait at the airport to apply for a visa at the border gate. Although they are all high-class guests with high spending, only a few markets are exempt from visas, making tourists confused.

"Tourism businesses are still waiting for the Government to announce the official list of countries that are eligible for e-visas or if there are additional visa-free markets to invest in advertising and promotion. If there is a specific list, advertising investment will be more focused and systematic. The demand of European tourists is increasing and at this time, the tourism industry is focusing on promoting for the peak season to welcome international visitors next year," said Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan.

According to Nguoilaodong