The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Tuesday extended the e-visa programme for foreign visitors to Việt Nam for another two years.

Tourists in Hanoi (illustration photo: PY)

On November 22, 2016, the NA launched the pilot programme, which was scheduled to last until February 1, 2019.

According to a report, between February 2017 and August 31, 2018, Việt Nam approved 298,113 e-visas, of which 298,507 were self-submitted and 8,606 by sponsoring organisations. As of August 31, 241,875 e-visa holders had entered Việt Nam.

Presenting the Government’s report on the implementation of the programme, Deputy Minister of Public Security Lê Quý Vương said the outcomes showed the policy helped draw foreigners to Việt Nam for tourism and investment, aiding the tourism sector.

Many diplomatic agencies of foreign countries in Việt Nam applauded the policy, Vương added.

He proposed the pilot scheme be continued to provide a basis for a more complete assessment of the policy’s impacts on local socio-economy, defence, security and diplomacy.

The official pointed to some shortcomings, which include ineffective work popularising the policy and the large number of countries yet to be subject to the policy.

According to Vương, extending the pilot will help improve permanent regulations on laws on the entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Việt Nam.

At the session, the NA’s Defence and Security Committee requested the Government direct the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies to review and assess the implementation of the law on the entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Việt Nam, aiming to add the law to the NA’s law building programme for 2019./.

( VNF/VNA )