Vietnam Seeks Wider Visa Waivers as Tourism Targets 25 Million Visitors in 2026

A record tourism year sets the stage for wider entry access

Vietnam is pursuing more generous visa policies after welcoming a record 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, an increase of 20.4% from the previous year. The government wants to raise that total to 25 million in 2026 while attracting visitors who stay longer, spend more and support sustainable tourism.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh announced on January 20, 2026, that the Ministry of Public Security would work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study and propose more open entry policies. The task includes considering additional unilateral visa exemptions for major tourism markets and countries with strong potential to send more visitors. A unilateral exemption means Vietnam allows eligible foreign citizens to enter without requiring a visa under its own policy.

The January announcement concerns further proposals. It builds on exemptions already introduced in 2025, including access for citizens of 12 additional European countries, and special entry privileges for selected researchers, investors, business leaders and cultural figures.

Vietnam's 2026 target requires 3.8 million more international arrivals than the 21.2 million recorded in 2025, an increase of about 17.9%. The World Tourism Organization has recognized Vietnam among the world's fastest growing tourism destinations, reinforcing the government's ambition to make tourism a leading economic sector.

The policy push is tied to preparations for the 14th National Party Congress and implementation of the socioeconomic development plan for 2026 to 2030. Officials view easier entry as a way to support economic resilience during global volatility. Their strategy combines border access with better transport, digital services, tourism products and standards at destinations.

Which European visitors receive 45 days without a visa?

Citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland became eligible for stays of 45 days without a visa on August 15, 2025. The exemption runs through August 14, 2028.

Resolution 229/NQ-CP provides the framework for this European expansion. Decree 221/2025/ND-CP forms another part of the broader opening, establishing special exemption privileges for selected visitors who can contribute to Vietnam's development.

The European expansion complements exemptions for citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Those arrangements were extended through March 14, 2028. Together, the two groups cover 24 countries, extending access across major European and Northeast Asian tourism markets associated with high spending per visitor.

Polish, Czech and Swiss travelers previously qualified for the relevant exemption only when booking through licensed Vietnamese tour operators. Removing that condition gives independent travelers the same flexibility as other eligible visitors, making spontaneous trips and longer exploration easier.

Visitors seeking more than 45 days also have the option of an electronic visa valid for 90 days, with either a single entry or multiple entries. The policy description also identifies leaving Vietnam and returning, commonly called a visa run, as a possible way to begin another exemption period.

The main dates show how the existing measures and the new policy review fit together:

• August 15, 2025: The exemption allowing stays of 45 days began for the 12 additional European countries.
• January 20, 2026: Mai Van Chinh announced work on proposals for more open visa policies.
• March 14, 2028: The extended exemptions for the earlier group of 12 countries are scheduled to end.
• August 14, 2028: The exemptions for the additional European group are scheduled to end.

European demand supports the push for longer visits

European arrivals rose by 131.8% during the first seven months of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. Russia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany were described as posting growth in triple digits. The account also gives increases of 24.7% for Italian arrivals, 19.8% for French visitors and 19.5% for British tourists.

European visitors typically stay between eight and 12 days and spend more time in Vietnam than tourists from regional markets. They show a strong preference for hotels rated four or five stars in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang.

Longer visits matter to the government's economic strategy because a visitor staying several extra nights can buy more accommodation, meals, transport and activities. Vietnam's focus is therefore on the value generated by a trip as well as the number of people crossing its borders.

The timing of the opening also supports efforts to attract Europeans seeking winter holidays away from cold weather. Expanded access coincides with peak travel months, giving Vietnam an opportunity to compete with other Asian destinations for those trips.

Tourism authorities see the European markets as a source of demand for premium accommodation and extended holidays. Easier entry gives travelers more room to combine destinations, while hotels, transport providers and tourism businesses need to deliver the services that make a longer stay worthwhile.

Special exemption cards target investors, experts and cultural figures

Decree 221/2025/ND-CP establishes special visa exemption cards valid for up to five years, with permission for multiple entries. These privileges are intended for selected people regarded as strategic contributors to Vietnam's economic development.

Eligible groups include senior official guests invited by Vietnam's top leadership, distinguished researchers and professors from foreign institutions, leading experts in science and technology, major investors, and executives of leading global corporations.

Influential cultural figures, renowned artists and athletes, and Vietnam's honorary consuls abroad are also included. Approved guests invited by major universities, research institutes and large enterprises may qualify for preferential entry.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has signed detailed implementation plans intended to keep the privileges within legal requirements while maintaining security standards. The Ministry of Public Security coordinates with other agencies to issue the special exemption cards.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance are developing criteria for identifying qualifying institutions and enterprises. Those criteria connect the entry privileges to the organizations that invite or work with eligible visitors.

The government's approach links travel with business, investment and cultural exchange. Easier entry for technology experts, financial specialists and innovation leaders can support the sharing of skills and knowledge, as well as foreign direct investment, meaning investment by overseas businesses in Vietnam. The same policy is intended to strengthen the country's reputation as a welcoming destination for influential international visitors.

Digital visas and faster border processing form the next layer

The Ministry of Public Security has received instructions to improve electronic visa issuance through wider use of information technology. The aim is to make applications simpler and reduce the time travelers spend completing entry procedures.

Existing electronic visa provisions allow citizens of most countries to obtain visas online for stays of 90 days, with single or multiple entries. A single entry visa permits one arrival, while a visa allowing multiple entries lets its holder leave and return during its validity. Applying online removes the need for consulate visits and associated paperwork.

Vietnam also wants shorter immigration clearance times at airports, seaports and land borders. These operational changes address complaints about bureaucratic delays that have affected the country's tourism reputation and seek to make arrival more convenient.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a complementary responsibility: explaining Vietnam's visa policies to international partners. Its outreach is intended to ensure that airlines, travel agencies and prospective visitors understand both the exemptions allowing stays of 45 days and the longer electronic visa options.

Clear information helps visitors choose the appropriate entry arrangement for an extended holiday or business trip. It also reduces confusion at the border and builds confidence among people deciding whether to travel to Vietnam.

Coastal hotels and resort investment feel the recovery

The Vietnam Association of Realtors says the recovery in international tourism has helped revive resort property markets, particularly in coastal destinations. Hotels rated four and five stars in Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc are operating at occupancy rates of 70% to 90%, with some fully booked during holidays and festivals.

Room revenues have risen by 20% to 30% compared with a year earlier. The combination of fuller hotels and higher revenues is encouraging developers to launch or resume premium resort projects.

Projects include beachfront villas, resorts built to international standards and premium condotels aimed at visitors who stay for longer periods. Condotels combine condominium style units with hotel accommodation and services.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism identifies Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary as emerging European markets whose travelers show particular willingness to spend on luxury accommodation. It also sees opportunities for those tourism connections to support trade and investment cooperation.

Real estate analysts observe that repeat visitors increasingly consider Vietnam as a possible place for retirement, remote work or investment, alongside its appeal as a holiday destination. Easier entry supports more sustained economic engagement by allowing visitors greater flexibility to return and spend time in the country.

The intended benefits extend beyond immediate hotel income. Tourism demand can support new property investment, while repeated visits can build relationships with businesses and destinations. The government is seeking that longer economic connection as part of its shift toward visitors who contribute more during their stays.

What does Vietnam mean by higher value tourism?

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is reviewing the 2017 Law on Tourism to remove outdated provisions. It is also developing strategies for green tourism, wellness travel, MICE tourism and golf tourism.

MICE refers to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. This segment brings professional gatherings and organized business travel into the tourism economy. Wellness tourism centers on health and wellbeing experiences, while green tourism places environmental sustainability at the center of a visit.

Vietnam's strategy reflects changing travel preferences. International visitors increasingly seek environmental responsibility, health and wellness experiences, and opportunities to attend professional conferences alongside traditional sightseeing.

Officials describe higher quality visitors as people who stay longer, spend more and contribute to sustainable development. The aim is to increase the economic value of each visit while reducing the environmental pressure associated with mass tourism.

Visa changes are one part of that effort. Premium tourism also requires suitable accommodation, reliable infrastructure and legal arrangements that support the chosen segments. Ministries are being asked to remove obstacles together so that easier entry is matched by destinations capable of delivering the experience visitors expect.

Transport and planning must keep pace with demand

The Tourism System Master Plan for 2021 to 2030, with a vision extending to 2045, is being updated to reflect urban development and administrative restructuring. The planning work is intended to connect tourism growth with the infrastructure needed to sustain it.

The Ministry of Construction is prioritizing transport investments that link airports, seaports and expressways directly with national tourism sites. These connections matter because a simpler visa process is only the first stage of a journey; visitors also need convenient routes to their destinations.

Local People's Committees are establishing tourism development steering committees and adjusting regional plans to attract strategic investors. Entertainment complexes and premium resorts are among the projects sought through that work.

Planning and investment are being coordinated with the effort to remove bottlenecks and upgrade infrastructure. The government's objective is a tourism system in which entry procedures, transport connections, accommodation and attractions can support growing demand together.

The broader economic plan treats tourism as a leading sector rather than an isolated hospitality activity. Its development is being linked to urban planning, investment and the national development program for 2026 to 2030.

Trade promotion and service standards complete the government effort

Mai Van Chinh has assigned responsibilities across ministries and local authorities under the effort to implement Resolution No. 08, which aims to develop tourism into a leading economic sector. The visa review sits within this coordinated program.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is incorporating tourism promotion into trade programs, international fairs and exhibitions. Vietnam's overseas trade offices are being used to strengthen cooperation between commercial promotion and tourism objectives.

Those activities connect the search for visitors with the search for business partners and investment. They complement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' work to communicate entry policies and the Ministry of Public Security's responsibility for visa administration.

Authorities are also strengthening oversight of environmental sanitation, food safety and standards of service. These measures are intended to protect the visitor experience and environmental conditions as arrival numbers grow.

For destinations seeking longer stays and greater spending, service quality is part of the economic strategy. Clean surroundings, safe food and dependable treatment of visitors support the same goal as improved entry procedures: giving travelers reasons to choose Vietnam and return.

The 2026 goal combines more arrivals with greater value

Vietnam enters 2026 with record visitor numbers, broader access for European markets and special privileges aimed at people who can contribute through investment, research, business and culture. Its stated ambition is to become one of Southeast Asia's most accessible destinations and a leading choice for discerning international travelers.

The January 20 review seeks to extend that opening to more major and promising source markets. No additional countries or implementation date were named for the proposed new exemptions.

The 25 million visitor target requires growth of about 17.9% from the 2025 total, alongside efforts to increase spending and length of stay. The government's program brings together digital applications, border processing, diplomatic outreach, transport investment, tourism law reform and destination standards.

European holiday demand, stronger coastal hotel occupancy and renewed resort development provide support for that strategy. Vietnam's next policy steps are directed toward turning easier entry into longer visits, better tourism services and economic benefits extending beyond a single holiday.

Key Points

• Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh announced a review of more open visa policies on January 20, 2026, including additional unilateral exemptions for major and promising markets.
• Vietnam welcomed a record 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4%, and targets 25 million in 2026.
• Two groups totaling 24 countries receive exemptions allowing stays of 45 days. The additional European group gained access on August 15, 2025, through August 14, 2028.
• The earlier group of 12 countries has exemptions extended through March 14, 2028. Electronic visas offer stays of 90 days with single or multiple entries.
• Decree 221/2025/ND-CP provides special exemption cards valid for up to five years for selected official guests, experts, investors, researchers and cultural figures.
• European arrivals rose by 131.8% during the first seven months of 2025. European visitors typically stay between eight and 12 days.
• Hotels rated four and five stars in Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc report occupancy of 70% to 90%, while room revenues have risen by 20% to 30%.
• Visa reform is being combined with digital services, transport investment, tourism law review and strategies for green tourism, wellness, MICE and golf.