The HCM City Tourism Association has urged the Government to extend the visa exemption for tourists from five Western European countries -- France, Italy, Germany, the UK, and Spain.

Foreign visitors drinking beer in Bui Vien street, HCMC

A visa exemption programme for the five countries ends next month, Nguyen Thi Khanh, deputy chairwoman of the association, said.

But it should be extended by five years to June 30, 2022, she said.

The visa-free policy should be for five years instead of one to enable travel firms to organise promotion and marketing campaigns in the five markets, she told a meeting with the city People’s Council on Tuesday (May 23).

Besides, the maximum stay per entry for these tourists should be doubled to 30 days, she said.

The longer stay would be of help to tourists besides boosting their spending in the country, she said.

Neighbouring countries have simplified their visa procedures to attract more international visitors, she added.

The number of tourists from the five countries rose by 12 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter to more than 240,000, according to statistics released by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism./.

VNF/VNS