Vietnam Announces Major Visa Waiver Expansion in Bid to Transform Into Global Tourism Powerhouse

Vietnam Sets Sights on Global Tourism Leadership

Vietnam is preparing to significantly expand its unilateral visa waiver program as part of an ambitious strategy to attract high-quality international visitors and transform tourism into a pillar of its economy. The Ministry of Public Security will collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study and propose more open visa policies, with particular focus on expanding unilateral visa exemptions for major and high-potential source markets. This initiative represents one of several coordinated measures aimed at promoting sustainable tourism development, according to Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh.

This is among a package of coordinated and breakthrough measures to promote sustainable tourism development.

The announcement comes as Vietnam’s tourism sector demonstrates remarkable recovery and growth following the global pandemic. The General Statistics Office reported that Vietnam welcomed 21.2 million foreign tourists in 2025, representing a 20.4% increase from the previous year and the highest figure on record. This strong performance has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization, which ranked Vietnam among the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

Current Visa Framework Sets Foundation for Growth

Vietnam currently offers visa exemptions for tourism to ordinary passport holders from 39 countries, allowing stays ranging from 14 to 90 days depending on nationality. The list includes key markets such as Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Russia. Visitors from these countries can stay for up to 45 days without a visa, providing significant convenience for travelers and boosting arrivals from these important source markets.

The visa exemption policy also extends to special categories including APEC Business Travel Card holders who can stay up to 60 days, and visitors to Phu Quoc Island who can remain visa-free for 30 days. Additionally, Vietnam grants five-year visa exemptions to Overseas Vietnamese and foreigners who are spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens, allowing multiple entries with stays of up to 180 days per visit.

In August 2025, Vietnam implemented a significant expansion of its visa-exemption policy, adding twelve additional European countries to the list. Citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland can now enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. This expansion, formalized under Resolution 229/NQ-CP, remains in effect for three years until August 14, 2028.

Ambitious Targets for 2026 and Beyond

Vietnam has set ambitious tourism targets for 2026, aiming to welcome 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic travelers. These goals represent a 16% increase in foreign arrivals compared to 2025 and reflect the government’s confidence in the sector’s continued growth potential. The year 2026 holds particular significance as it marks the first year of implementation of the 2026-2030 five-year socio-economic development plan.

These tourism targets align with Vietnam’s broader economic aspirations under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, who has set an extraordinary goal of 10% annual economic growth from 2026 to 2030. The Communist Party aims to transform Vietnam into a high-income economy by 2045, a vision that requires substantial contributions from the tourism sector alongside manufacturing and technology industries.

The government recognizes that meeting these ambitious targets requires decisive action to address bottlenecks, shortcomings, and constraints hindering tourism development. Ministries, sectors, and localities have been directed to implement practical solutions to accelerate tourism development in an effective and sustainable manner.

Strategic Focus on High-Quality Visitors

Unlike previous growth strategies focused primarily on visitor numbers, Vietnam’s new approach emphasizes quality over quantity. The government has specifically instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to restructure source markets and improve the quality and competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry. Particular attention will be paid to attracting international markets with high spending power and longer stays.

The tourism ministry has been tasked with closely monitoring travel trends and visitor demand to formulate appropriate tourism product development strategies. The focus will be on high-end, high-value-added segments including green tourism, wellness tourism, MICE tourism, and golf tourism. These segments typically attract visitors who stay longer and spend more per day, generating greater economic benefits while potentially reducing environmental impact.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also been instructed to conduct a comprehensive review of the 2017 Law on Tourism and related legal documents. The goal is to propose amendments, supplements, or removal of outdated provisions to create a more enabling legal framework for tourism development that aligns with modern industry needs and international best practices.

Technology and Infrastructure Modernization

Deputy Prime Minister Chinh has assigned the Ministry of Public Security to accelerate the application of information technology and digital transformation to improve electronic visa issuance procedures. Recent improvements have already seen Vietnam reduce e-visa processing time to under 24 hours, making it one of the fastest visa processing systems in Southeast Asia.

The government is also working to simplify processes and shorten immigration clearance times at border checkpoints to create maximum convenience for travelers. These improvements aim to reduce friction in the entry experience, making Vietnam more attractive to international visitors who value efficiency and convenience when planning their travel.

The Ministry of Construction has been directed to prioritize investment resources for the development of strategic infrastructure. This includes transport infrastructure such as airports, seaports, expressways, and direct connections to national tourism sites and destinations. Ensuring modernization and seamless connectivity for travelers remains a priority, as infrastructure quality significantly influences visitor satisfaction and return visitation rates.

Regional Competition and Global Context

Vietnam’s visa liberalization efforts come amid intense regional competition for tourism dollars. Thailand has emerged as the leader in ASEAN passport rankings, surpassing its regional neighbors including Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Thailand’s extensive visa-free access to over 80 countries results from strategic diplomatic efforts that have expanded its global reach through numerous bilateral agreements.

Other regional competitors are also implementing significant visa policy changes. Thailand and Malaysia have rolled forward their visa-waiver programs for Indian passport holders until December 31, 2026. China has expanded its 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 65 ports across 24 provinces, allowing travelers from 55 countries to enjoy 10 days of travel without applying for a visa beforehand. Sri Lanka has announced plans to allow visa-free entry to nationals from 40 countries starting January 2026.

This regional context highlights the urgency of Vietnam’s visa reform agenda. As competitors liberalize their entry requirements and invest heavily in tourism infrastructure, Vietnam must accelerate its own reforms to maintain and grow its market share of international visitors.

Long-Term Residency Options and Golden Visas

Beyond short-term tourism visas, Vietnam is developing long-term residency options to attract high-value individuals who can contribute to economic development. The Ministry of Public Security is reviewing a draft decree that would create new visa categories for long-term foreign residents targeting specific high-skill groups.

The proposed categories include executives and investors from global top 100 firms by market capitalization, STEM experts and scholars from OECD countries with doctoral qualifications, medical scientists affiliated with high-level hospitals or universities, artists and athletes with international recognition, and tech professionals working in national priority sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Separately, the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board has proposed a new golden visa aimed at long-term residents. This visa would carry a validity of five to ten years with the possibility of renewal and would be available to individuals making economic, scientific, or cultural contributions to Vietnam. The golden visa would differ from existing investor categories by offering longer stays and broader eligibility criteria.

Political and Economic Context

The visa expansion strategy aligns with broader political and economic reforms under General Secretary To Lam, who has consolidated power following his reappointment at the 14th National Party Congress in January 2026. Lam has prioritized economic performance and repeatedly emphasized the need to empower the private sector and move Vietnam beyond a growth model built on cheap labor, exports, and foreign investment.

We must achieve double-digit growth to reach the set goals.

Lam’s administration has implemented sweeping reforms including cutting tens of thousands of public-sector jobs, merging ministries, redrawing provincial boundaries, and pushing through major infrastructure projects. These efforts aim to slash red tape, simplify rules, and accelerate decision-making to support rapid economic growth.

However, analysts warn that the 10% growth target is extremely ambitious, with the World Bank forecasting more modest growth of 6.3% this year and 6.7% in 2027. Achieving double-digit growth would require significant productivity improvements and successful transition to higher-value economic activities.

Challenges and Considerations

While Vietnam’s tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth, significant challenges remain. The country faces an aging population, climate risks, weak institutions, and external pressures including U.S. tariffs. Vietnam must also carefully balance its relationships with major powers including China, its largest trading partner, and the United States, its largest export market.

Corruption remains a significant obstacle despite To Lam’s anti-corruption campaign. Transparency International has noted that Vietnam has actually become more corrupt in recent years, which can undermine investor confidence and create obstacles for tourism development.

Additionally, the rapid expansion of tourism infrastructure and visitor numbers raises environmental concerns. Vietnam has stepped up its rhetoric on green growth but faces challenges in translating intent into concrete policy trade-offs. Balancing economic growth with environmental protection will be crucial for sustainable tourism development.

Strategic Alignment and Future Outlook

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been tasked with advising on adjustments and updates to the Tourism System Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. This planning aims to ensure alignment with urban and rural planning as well as administrative unit restructuring, opening new development space for the tourism sector.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will intensify information dissemination and outreach on Vietnam’s visa policies to international partners while reviewing and proposing amendments to relevant legal documents. This coordinated approach aims to maximize the impact of visa liberalization through effective communication and implementation.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will integrate promotion of Vietnam’s tourism brand and image into trade promotion programs and international fairs and exhibitions. This leverages the bridging role of Vietnam’s overseas trade offices to strengthen synergies between trade promotion and tourism promotion, creating a unified approach to international market development.

The Bottom Line

• Vietnam plans to expand unilateral visa exemptions to attract high-quality tourists
• The country welcomed 21.2 million foreign tourists in 2025, a 20.4% increase
• Target for 2026 is 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic travelers
• Currently 39 countries have visa-free access to Vietnam with stays of 14-90 days
• Twelve European countries were added to the visa-free list in August 2025
• E-visa processing time has been reduced to under 24 hours
• Focus on high-value segments including green, wellness, MICE, and golf tourism
• Plans include long-term residency options and golden visas for high-value individuals
• Visa expansion aligns with broader goal of 10% annual economic growth from 2026-2030
• Regional competition intensifies with Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Sri Lanka liberalizing access