Vietnam confirms visa-free list

HANOI Vietnam’s Prime Minister signed a directive, last week, to waive visa requirements for citizens from five European countries, starting 1 July.
The move was reported widely in the media earlier this month.
According to official statements, the visa-free travel policy applies to German, French, British, Italian, and Spanish visitors, who can stay in the country for up to 15 days.
The waiver applies for one year, but there were indicators that it would be extended once there is convincing data that it benefits the country’s economy and the tourism industry.
inside no 2The country currently offers visa-free travel to eight countries, including Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, and Belarus.
Vietnam also has a visa-free policy for nine ASEAN countries; Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines.
The ASEAN agreement is reciprocal so Vietnamese traveller enjoy the same privilege travelling to the other nine member countries.
The other countries on the visa-free travel list do not offer Vietnamese visitors a reciprocal privilege, a point local Vietnamese media mentioned in their reports.
However, most countries in Southeast Asia are not concerned about outbound travel considerations. They focus on improving inbound tourism that generates foreign exchange earnings.
Vietnam’s tourism has suffered a drastic slump for 12 consecutive months.

sourced:ttrweekly.com