Vietnam visa: Throw a sprat to catch a herring!

In recent years, number of international tourists traveling to Vietnam increases constantly due to a series of effective measures, including visa exemption for visitors from certain key markets of Vietnam tourism. However, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently said that Vietnam have lost about 50 million each year when visitors from these markets are exempt from Vietnam visa. Thus, what is the truth?

Vietnam visa exemption policy is available for visitors from Japan, South Korea, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. However, according to the latest news, the Vietnam government could abolish the visa exemption policy. In the eyes of tourism experts, the abolition of visa exemption for 7 countries will harm the tourism industry of country and reduce its competitiveness. The visa policy change could immediately decrease at least 50% of tourists from these countries.

Meanwhile, according to statistics given by the General Department of Tourism, the number of international visitors to Vietnam in 3 first months of 2013 reduced to 6.2 % from last year’s same period. The abrupt reduction of number of international visitors traveling to Vietnam in the early months of 2013 is not a good signal for tourism.

In fact, the government could loss several tens of millions of dollar, but in turn could earn billions of dollar from international visitors. The Vietnam government should review its new plan.

The big worry of the majority of visitors is cost and time spent when apply for Vietnam visa on arrival. Thus, visa exemption policy is one of effective solutions to attract international tourists. They do not have to apply for Vietnam tourist visa and can save money with this policy because the visa application procedures in Vietnam are not quick and easy.