With the visa exemption for citizens of 12 developed countries until 2028, expanding electronic visas (evisa) to all countries and extending the stay period to 90 days, Vietnam not only shows flexibility but also sends a message about an open country, ready to welcome international friends.
The open visa policy is a positive signal, reflecting Vietnam's innovative thinking and strategic vision. When neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore continuously loosen visas to compete for tourism market share, Vietnam is not out of the picture.
The visa exemption for countries with developed economies such as Japan, Korea, the UK, France, Germany, etc., along with the electronic visa policy applied to all countries, have created unprecedented favorable conditions for tourists coming to Vietnam.
One of the bright spots of the new policy is that the length of stay is extended to 45-90 days, instead of only 15-30 days as before.
Longer stays also mean that tourists can spend more. This is an opportunity for the Vietnamese tourism industry to exploit new products, from resort tourism, culture to high-end services, thereby increasing revenue and creating jobs for people.
Moreover, the open visa policy is not only aimed at ordinary tourists but also at potential participants such as businessmen, investors and the super-rich.
A country with increasingly modern infrastructure, strong five-star and six-star services like Vietnam can completely become an ideal destination for high-end customers.
When these visitors arrive, they not only bring their own bags but can also bring cooperation and investment opportunities, contributing to promoting the economy and enhancing Vietnam's image in the international arena.
However, to turn the policy into a real lever, Vietnam needs to take synchronous and drastic action. Tourism businesses should quickly design attractive tours, focusing on improving service quality to meet the diverse needs of international visitors.
Local authorities need to invest more heavily in infrastructure and promote their image to turn each destination into a "magnet" to attract visitors.
More importantly, each Vietnamese person needs to be aware of becoming a "tourism ambassador", spreading the spirit of hospitality and pride in the country to friends around the world.
The "winter wind" for the "sail" of Vietnam tourism has blown. Just take advantage of this opportunity, the ambition for a "Vietnam - go to love" with international friends will be within reach.
