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Vietnam considers waiving visas for visitors from high-end market in an attempt to facilitate tourism development, increase the competitiveness and attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Vietnam considers easing visa policy for high-end travelers

The Prime Minister, in a recent telegram, requested relevant ministries to consider easing visas for high-end travelers to facilitate tourism development, increase the competitiveness and attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Telegram No.22/CĐ-TTg dated March 9 focuses on key tasks and solutions aimed at reducing administrative procedures, improving the business environment, and promoting socio-economic development.

Accordingly, the PM assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security to effectively implement Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP dated March 7 on visa exemption for citizens of 12 countries.

The two ministries were required to study and propose to the Government a plan to unilaterally exempt entry visas for a period of time for citizens of some countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.

It’s important to prioritize visa exemption for scientists, successful businessmen, wealthy people, leading experts in fields that Vietnam has demand for, the PM says in the telegram.

The two ministries were also assigned to propose solutions to perfect visa policies, expand the issuance of electronic visas, especially for investors and experts, and policies on granting work permits to foreign workers in a more open, friendly, and transparent manner, in an attempt to minimize procedures and attract financially capable investors, experts, and highly skilled and professional workers.

The Prime Minister’s goal is to reduce at least 30% of administrative procedure processing time and at least 30% of compliance costs, eliminate 30% of unnecessary business conditions, and carry out business-related procedures in an electronic environment, ensuring smoothness, continuity, and efficiency, cited VOV.

The proposal must be submitted to the Government in March.

Earlier this year, Vietnam decided to waive entry visas for visitors from Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland, starting from March 1 to December 31, 2025. It also offered visa exemptions for visitors from 12 countries for another three years, from March 15 2025 to March 14, 2028.

The countries are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Vietnam is emerging as an attractive destination for high-end travelers thanks to its unique natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and luxury services.

The country is home to a number of world-famous natural wonders, such as Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Archipelago, Phu Quoc Island, and Son Doong Cave, alongside UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hoi An Ancient Town, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, and the Hue Monuments Complex. These destinations offer luxury travel experiences, including exclusive resorts and high-end cruises.

The country boasts a long coastline with pristine beaches in Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc, making it an ideal getaway for affluent travelers.

Leading global hotel brands such as Aman, Four Seasons, Six Senses, and InterContinental have invested in Vietnam, providing world-class accommodations. Many resorts focus on wellness retreats and private luxury stays, catering to high-end guests seeking exclusivity and relaxation.

Local cuisine is gaining international recognition, with multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and premium dining experiences such as fine dining and private chef services.

Vietnam - "top searched" tourism site thanks to attractive destinations

Vietnam’s tourism brand is gaining increasing recognition and competitiveness in the international market, particularly in Asia.

Recent reports from both domestic and international tourism research firms highlighted Vietnam as a top searched destination with numerous attractive locations for international travellers.

According to digital travel platform Agoda, Da Nang emerged as the most searched destination by US tourists in January 2025, surpassing Tokyo and Bangkok with remarkable 1,538% year-over-year growth from January 2024.

Notably, the central city entered the top five most searched cities by North American travellers in July 2024 and has maintained its position consistently each month since then.

Ha Giang is rapidly becoming a must-visit destination for international tourists, renowned for its breathtaking mountain passes and majestic natural landscapes. The northern mountainous province is especially popular for motorbike adventure tours lasting five to six days, offering visitors an authentic experience by stopping at local towns and ethnic minority villages.

In 2025, Ha Giang has seen a surge in interest from tourists from the US, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Taiwan (China), with Korean visitors showing the strongest growth in search volume. According to Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, this trend reflects a growing global preference for immersive and adventure travel experiences.

Vietnam welcomed 711,464 Japanese tourists in 2024, with Ho Chi Minh City alone receiving 348,239 visitors, making Japan one of the city’s top six international tourist source markets.

Phan Phuong Hoang, Deputy General Director of Vietravel, noted that the number of Japanese visitors to Vietnam have been steadily increasing each year. Marketing efforts in the East Asia nation are focused between October and March, the country’s peak travel season, according to VNA.

Tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City downtown. (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile, Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of HCM City’s Department of Tourism, highlighted the high frequency of direct flights between Vietnam and Japan as a key driver of growth. These air services serve as a strong foundation for further expanding international tourism, she added.

A recent report by The Outbox Company, a Vietnam-based travel intelligence firm, underscores Vietnam’s growing tourism brand presence in Asia. According to the report, Thailand, Indonesia, and India ranked Vietnam’s tourism brand highly, with scores of 142.8, 138.8, and 138.2, respectively. This reflects strong brand recognition and a positive perception in these markets.

Strategies to attract more visitors

Experts recommended that Vietnam capitalise on its momentum by enhancing destination branding campaigns, introducing new tourism products, and expanding marketing efforts in key markets where its brand is well recognised.

Tourism businesses and travel agencies stressed the importance of expanding promotional efforts in high-potential and emerging markets. Localities that view tourism as a key economic sector should prioritise building a strong brand identity, diversifying tourism products, and improving service quality in restaurants and accommodations.

HCM City’s Department of Tourism has launched a promotional campaign at Tan Son Nhat International Airport to welcome international travellers at the beginning of this year. The initiative includes multilingual welcome messages and QR codes linking to the city’s tourism information system.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with a “Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City” message displayed in the baggage claim area of the international terminal.

With over 40 million international and domestic passengers passing through the Tan Son Nhat International Airport annually, the city’s tourism promotion campaign is featured in 27 languages on LED screens throughout the airport.

Industry experts predicted that 2025 will be a transformative year for HCM City’s tourism sector, with a focus on diverse tourism products, professional services, exciting events, strategic partnerships, and innovative marketing strategies.

RoK businesses to explore cooperation opportunities in Vietnam

Two delegations consisting of 23 exporting companies from Jeonnam and Chungbuk provinces of the Republic of Korea will visit Vietnam and engage in a Korea-Vietnam trade exchange in Hanoi, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA Hanoi).

The exporting companies from Jeonnam and Chungbuk provinces are scheduled to hold direct trade meetings with Vietnamese importers at at Lotte Hotel on March 13. This marks the first Korea-Vietnam trade exchange of the year, to be organized by KOTRA Hanoi, VOV reported.

23 exporting companies from Jeonnam and Chungbuk provinces of the Republic of Korea will visit Vietnam and engage in a Korea-Vietnam trade exchange in Hanoi in mid-March. (Photo: KOTRA Hanoi).

At this event, 23 reputable Korean exporters will showcase high-quality products, including cosmetics and beauty accessories, fresh fruits and fruit-based beverages, food and food supplements, fertilizers, automobile parts, and construction finishing materials. These products are of high quality and have been exported to many countries worldwide.

A representative from KOTRA Hanoi stated that the business exchange would create new opportunities for business cooperation between the two countries.

To maximize the event’s effectiveness, all introduction materials about the 23 Korean companies and their products have been provided to interested Vietnamese businesses.

It is expected that nearly 150 one-on-one trade meetings will take place to meet the needs of businesses from both countries.

Northern Vietnam to experience prolonged drizzle and humidity, Hanoi warms to 28°C

Persistent drizzle and high humidity will continue in northern Vietnam through the week, with Hanoi reaching 28°C before a new cold front arrives on March 15-16.

The drizzle, mist, and high humidity affecting northern Vietnam will persist until the end of the week, while Hanoi's temperature will rise to 28°C before a new cold front arrives around March 15-16, bringing unsettled weather.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), northern provinces will experience chilly nights and mornings, with temperatures exceeding 30°C in the northwestern region. The central region will see scattered showers, while southern Vietnam continues to experience hot, sunny weather.

In the coming days, northern Vietnam will remain divided into two distinct weather patterns. The northwest and north-central regions will have patchy morning fog and sunshine in the afternoon, with cool nights and mornings. Meanwhile, the northeast will see light rain, drizzle, and fog continuing until the weekend.

Cold front to bring abrupt weather changes

A cold front is expected to arrive around March 15, bringing rain and scattered thunderstorms across the region. By the night of March 15, temperatures will drop, marking the return of cold weather.

Before the cold front arrives, northwestern Vietnam and north-central provinces will experience rising temperatures, with Dien Bien reaching 33-34°C on March 14-15.

Meanwhile, northeastern Vietnam, including Hanoi, will continue to see drizzle and mist at night and in the morning. By March 15, the cold front will trigger widespread showers and thunderstorms, followed by a sharp drop in temperature from March 16, cited VNN.

Drizzle and mist will continue across northern Vietnam until the weekend. (Photo: Minh Hien)

According to weather forecasts, Hanoi will reach its highest temperature of 28°C on March 14 before dropping to 25°C on March 15. The arrival of cold air on March 16 will lower temperatures by 5°C, with daytime highs of 18-20°C and nighttime lows of 15-16°C in the following days.

Weather outlook for central and southern Vietnam

Central and south-central regions: Light showers are expected in the coming days. From March 12, nighttime and early morning temperatures will be cool, while showers and thunderstorms are likely from March 12-15.

South-central provinces (Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa): Scattered showers will increase from March 15, with occasional thunderstorms.

Central Highlands and southern Vietnam: Scattered showers and thunderstorms may occur in the evening, while hot weather will persist in parts of southern Vietnam. Thunderstorms could bring strong winds, lightning, and hail.

According to the Southern Hydrometeorological Center, the current cold front is weakening, but another strong wave is expected to strengthen around March 15-16. Meanwhile, a high-pressure system over the Pacific Ocean is weakening and will shift eastward from March 14.

Quang Ninh emerges as premier cruise tourism destination

Blessed with the majestic Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO world natural heritage site, Quang Ninh is strengthening its position as a premier destination on the global cruise tourism map.

Thanks to its natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and strong investment in tourism products, the northeastern province has attracted over 26,000 international cruise visitors since the start of 2025, primarily from Europe, the Americas, and Northeast Asia.

Ha Long has welcomed many renowned cruise liners in the recent past, including Celebrity Solstice with five visits bringing 14,000 tourists, Seabourn Encore with three trips and 1,800 passengers, and Silver Whisper with three arrivals and 1,500 visitors. Many cruise ships now stay overnight at Ha Long International Cruise Port, giving travellers more time to explore local attractions and cultural sites.

Xiang Hong, a tourist from China’s Guangxi province, shared her excitement about her cruise journey to Ha Long, praising the breathtaking scenery and stress-free travel experience. She hopes to return for a longer stay to explore more destinations like the Yen Tu relic site and Co To Island.

Quang Ninh is set to receive the first-ever charter cruise on April 30. The Pacific World, operated by Japan’s Peace Boat company, will bring around 1,600 tourists, mostly Japanese, to the province on this trip, marking a significant opportunity to strengthen maritime tourism links between Japanese ports and Quang Ninh, said the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, VNA reported.

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO world natural heritage site in Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

In 2025, Quang Ninh expects around 70 cruise ship arrivals with nearly 90,000 passengers, a 30% increase from 2024. Major cruise brands like Mein Schiff 6, Celebrity Solstice, and Costa Serena have registered to dock at Ha Long, providing a crucial boost for local efforts to achieve tourism targets.

To achieve these goals, Quang Ninh’s tourism sector has worked closely with cruise operators and implemented new policies to promote this highly potential market. Cruise arrivals are projected to grow 15–20% annually, with regular visits from major international cruise lines.

Ha Long International Cruise Port’s modern facilities now meet global standards and can accommodate large vessels, ensuring comfortable and seamless experiences for visitors.

According to Port Director Pham Van Hiep, the port will continue improving service quality, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring safety and security for ships and tourists. He expressed his hope that cruise tourism will keep drawing a diverse range of visitors from various countries to Quang Ninh in the years ahead.

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