Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the expansion of Vietnam's visa waiver scheme to boost tourism in the country. Speaking at a national conference, Chinh urged for the creation of better conditions for airlines at both domestic and international levels, to open routes to Vietnam, and enable tourists to visit the Southeast Asian nation.

Currently, citizens of 13 countries such as South Korea, Japan, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Belarus, Germany, the UK, Spain and Italy are allowed to visit Vietnam without a visa for a stay of up to 15 days. This policy will remain in effect until March 14, 2025, and may be further extended.

Furthermore, the government has reached agreements to exempt passport holders of 12 countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Chile, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, and Myanmar, from visa requirements.

However, Vietnam's passport has a score of 21.16, which ranks it 143rd internationally, according to the Passport Index. Vietnamese passport holders can visit 22 countries without a visa, two with only an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), and an additional 30 with a visa-on-arrival. In another 23 countries, Vietnamese citizens can travel through an e-visa, while they have to obtain a visa to visit 149 countries in the world.

The tourism industry is vital to Vietnam's economy, and the country receives millions of tourists every year, with 18 million arrivals recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic severely affected the tourism industry in 2020 and 2021, and in March 2022, Vietnam reopened its borders to international tourists, becoming one of the first countries to resume tourism worldwide.

In 2022, 3.7 million tourists visited Vietnam, generating VND 495 trillion ($21 billion) for the country's economy, 23% higher than the country anticipated. Apart from a recovery in tourism, Vietnam has made efforts to improve its service infrastructure, environmental stability, and prioritize travel and tourism, as revealed in the World Economic Forum's report.

The same report shows that Vietnam's tourism development ranked 52nd in 2019 out of 117 economies on the 2021 Tourism Development Index, noting the country's good performance in price competitiveness, air transport, safety and security, as well as natural resources.

This year, Vietnam's tourism sector aims to welcome 110 million visitors, including eight million foreigners, and generate VND 650 trillion ($27.65 billion). As such, expanding the visa waiver scheme could help boost Vietnam's tourism industry and further enhance its economy.

Current visa waiver scheme and expansion plans

Vietnam currently has a visa waiver scheme for citizens of 13 countries, including South Korea, Japan, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Belarus, Germany, the UK, Spain, and Italy. The policy allows citizens of these countries to visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 15 days. The policy is set to remain effective until March 14, 2025, and may be extended further.

In addition, Vietnam has signed agreements to exempt passport holders from 12 countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Chile, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, and Myanmar, from visa requirements.

Vietnamese Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has requested the expansion of Vietnam's visa waiver scheme to increase tourism. He has asked for better conditions for airlines, both domestic and international, to open routes to Vietnam and enable tourists to visit the Southeast Asian country. The government aims to welcome 110 million visitors this year, eight million of whom will be foreigners, and generate VND 650 trillion, equivalent to $27.65 billion.

Vietnam's visa policies and agreements aim to encourage more tourists to visit the country and contribute to its economy. By offering visa waivers and exemptions, Vietnam hopes to attract more tourists from around the world and position itself as a competitive tourist destination.

Vietnam's passport ranking and visa requirements for citizens

Vietnam's passport has a low ranking of 143rd at the international level with a score of 21.16, according to the World Passport Index. Vietnamese passport holders can visit only 22 countries without a visa, two with an Electronic Travel Authorization, and another 30 with a visa-on-arrival. In contrast, citizens of Vietnam need to obtain a visa to visit 149 countries worldwide.

This highlights the importance of Vietnam's efforts to expand its visa waiver scheme to attract more tourists and improve its tourism industry.

Impact of COVID-19 on Vietnam's tourism industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Vietnam's tourism industry, as it has for many countries around the world. In 2019, before the pandemic outbreak, Vietnam welcomed 18 million tourists, contributing significantly to the country's economy. However, in 2020 and 2021, international travel restrictions and concerns about the virus led to a sharp decline in tourism arrivals, causing a significant blow to the industry.

To combat the effects of the pandemic, the Vietnamese government implemented measures to support the tourism industry. This included a reduction in taxes and fees for tourism-related businesses, financial support for tourism companies, and the launch of a domestic tourism stimulus program.

In March 2022, Vietnam became one of the first countries in the world to reopen its borders to international tourists. Since then, the country has seen a gradual recovery in tourism arrivals, with 3.7 million tourists recorded in 2022, generating VND 495 trillion ($21 billion) for the country's economy. This figure exceeded the country's expectations by 23 percent.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Vietnam has made efforts to improve its tourism infrastructure and prioritized the sector's development. According to the World Economic Forum's Tourism Development Index, Vietnam ranked 52nd out of 117 economies in 2019. The country's performance in areas such as price competitiveness, air transport, safety and security, and natural resources contributed to this ranking.

This year, Vietnam aims to welcome 110 million visitors, including 8 million foreigners, and generate VND 650 trillion ($27.65 billion) in revenue from the tourism sector. The government continues to implement measures to support the recovery of the industry, such as expanding the visa waiver scheme and creating better conditions for airlines to open routes to Vietnam.

Efforts to improve tourism infrastructure and development in Vietnam

Vietnam has been making significant efforts to improve its tourism infrastructure and development in recent years. One of the main priorities has been to enhance the quality of services and facilities offered to tourists, as well as to promote sustainable tourism practices.

In terms of infrastructure, Vietnam has been investing in the construction and renovation of airports, seaports, and other transportation facilities to facilitate travel to and within the country. The government has also been promoting the development of high-quality accommodations, such as luxury hotels and resorts, to attract higher-spending tourists.

In addition, Vietnam has been working to improve its natural and cultural attractions, which are key drivers of tourism. The country has many beautiful beaches, national parks, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, and efforts are being made to preserve these areas while making them more accessible and enjoyable for tourists.

Environmental sustainability has also become a priority in Vietnam's tourism development strategy. The government has launched several initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, such as promoting the use of eco-friendly products and services, encouraging responsible tourism practices, and working to reduce pollution and waste in tourist areas.

Vietnam has also been working to improve its tourism marketing and promotion. The country has launched several high-profile campaigns to attract tourists from around the world, focusing on its natural beauty, rich culture, and friendly people. Vietnam has also been increasing its participation in international travel fairs and events to showcase its tourism offerings to a wider audience.

All of these efforts have contributed to Vietnam's improving performance in global tourism rankings. In 2019, the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Vietnam 52nd out of 117 countries in terms of tourism development, up from 67th in 2017. The country's strengths were noted in areas such as price competitiveness, air transport, safety and security, and natural resources.

Looking ahead, Vietnam aims to continue its efforts to develop its tourism industry, with a focus on sustainability and high-quality offerings. The government has set ambitious targets for the sector, including welcoming 110 million visitors in 2022, generating VND 650 trillion ($27.65 billion) in revenue. If successful, these targets will further cement Vietnam's position as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world.

Targets for tourism growth and economic impact in 2022

Targets for tourism growth and economic impact in 2022

Vietnam's tourism sector is a crucial pillar of the country's economy, and the government is making efforts to boost it further. In 2022, the country aims to welcome 110 million visitors, out of which eight million are expected to be foreigners. The tourism industry is projected to generate VND 650 trillion or $27.65 billion, which is a significant increase from the previous year.

The government's efforts to improve infrastructure and create better conditions for airlines to operate will play a crucial role in achieving these targets. The expansion of the visa waiver scheme to more countries is also expected to attract more tourists to the country.

Moreover, the growth of the tourism sector will have a positive impact on the country's economy, with the sector expected to contribute significantly to the GDP. In 2022, the sector's contribution to the country's economy is expected to reach 10%, up from 5.9% in 2021.

The government is also making efforts to improve the quality of tourism services and prioritize sustainable tourism development. Vietnam's ranking in the Tourism Development Index has been steadily improving, and the country has been recognized for its price competitiveness, air transport, safety and security, and natural resources.

In conclusion, the government's efforts to expand the visa waiver scheme, improve tourism infrastructure, and prioritize sustainable tourism development are expected to drive growth in the sector and have a positive impact on the country's economy. Achieving the targets for tourism growth and economic impact in 2022 will require continued efforts and collaboration between the government and the private sector.