Cruise ship tourists check in when the ship arrives at Chan May port

Strategic "push"

From August 15, citizens of 12 European countries (including Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland) entering Vietnam are officially exempted from visas according to Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP of the Government. According to tourism experts, this is a strategic move, helping to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of Vietnamese tourism in the region and the world .

Mr. Tran Quang Hao, Director of Hue Tourism Investment and Services Joint Stock Company (Huetourist), assessed that this is a huge opportunity for the tourism industry in Vietnam in general and Hue in particular. Tourists always want convenient procedures and reduced costs when traveling. Visa exemption helps tourists prioritize their choice of destinations. Tourism businesses from here also find it easier to promote destinations and attract visitors.

Over the past two years, the recovery and strong development of Vietnam tourism has been closely linked to a well-established visa policy. The two main pillars are electronic visa issuance (e-visa) and unilateral visa exemption. This is considered a strategic “push” for Vietnam to realize its goal of increasing international tourist arrivals.

From August 15, 2023, Vietnam has expanded the issuance of electronic visas (e-visas) to citizens of all countries and territories, increasing the duration of stay from 30 days to 90 days, valid for single or multiple entries. This has created many advantages for tourism development, helping visitors easily apply for visas online, saving time and costs. In addition, the unilateral visa exemption policy is continuously expanded.

Also from August 15, 2023, the temporary stay period for countries exempted from visas to Vietnam has been increased from 15 days to 45 days. This helps international tourists stay in Vietnam longer, experience more and spend more when traveling.

Currently, with Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP dated March 7, 2025 and Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP dated August 8, 2025, Vietnam has officially unilaterally exempted visas for citizens of 24 countries. The list includes: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland; Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. “Tourists always want to experience many destinations. With the visa exemption policy and the extended temporary stay period, it is clear that many destinations in Vietnam will benefit. Hue tourism is also expected to increase sharply in the number of visitors,” said Mr. Truong Thanh Minh, Director of the Tourism Promotion Information Center.

Seize the opportunity

Mr. Vu Van Chuong, Vice Chairman of Hue City Tourism Association, Director of Vietnam Pride Tourism Company Limited, said that with the opportunities from the new visa exemption policy, travel businesses quickly grasped them to build plans aimed at attracting visitors and developing tourism.

“Our company and other businesses also promote cooperation with foreign partners, especially in visa-free countries, to increase introduction to tourists. In addition, we also build routes and tourism products to attract more European tourists to Central Vietnam in general and Hue in particular. Tour programs are built for longer periods, from 3 to 4 days, to keep tourists staying in Hue and the Central region longer,” Mr. Chuong shared.

According to Mr. Hao, right after the visa exemption policy took effect, Huetourist's partners also stepped up promotion and spread information on online channels to promote, advertise, and increase searches for Vietnam and Hue destinations through keywords.

Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of the Department of Tourism, said that recently, the local tourism industry has coordinated with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and relevant agencies to organize promotional campaigns to introduce destinations in European countries, including countries on the visa exemption list.

In addition, Hue tourism will continue to welcome KOLs (social media influencers) from countries around the world to Hue. Through KOLs, Hue tourism hopes to spread information widely about visa policies as well as the highlights of Hue tourism to visitors from all over the world. In addition, Hue tourism also connects with partners from other countries to promote the landscape, culture, people, and beauty of Hue tourism.

According to Huetourist Director Tran Quang Hao, when the Government has a visa exemption policy, in the long term, each locality, right from the ward and commune levels, must also "wind up" to prepare for tourism development goals. In particular, it is necessary to coordinate with travel agencies and relevant agencies to develop specific strategies; there must be zoning plans and planning postings for small and medium enterprises to invest. In addition to calling for investment in projects and services as before, it is also necessary to aim at calling for investment in services and indoor space experiences to do tourism in the rainy season. In addition, it is necessary to promote plastic-reducing tourism; pay attention to training and retraining so that people know how to "take care" of tourists, "sell" smiles, professionalism, friendliness..., because these are the trends that tourists are currently looking for.

Article and photos: HUU PHUC

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/du-lich/co-hoi-tu-chinh-sach-mien-thi-thuc-moi-157061.html