Vietnam Expands Visa-Free Entry to 12 European Countries in Major Tourism Push
Hanoi, Vietnam – Vietnam has announced a significant expansion of its visa waiver program, granting citizens from 12 European countries visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days, regardless of passport type. The new policy, outlined in Government Resolution No. 229 dated August 8, 2025, will take effect from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028 as part of the country’s Tourism Promotion and Development Program.
The countries covered under the new exemption are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
This move replaces the earlier Government Resolution No. 11, issued in January 2025, which granted exemptions only to citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. That resolution will be invalidated when the new program begins.
In addition, on August 8, the government issued Decree No. 221, introducing a limited-term visa waiver scheme for foreign nationals in specially designated categories whose presence is considered beneficial to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.
The decision comes amid robust growth in Vietnam’s tourism sector. In the first seven months of 2025, the country welcomed more than 12.2 million international visitors, a nearly 23% increase year-on-year. Notably, even in July — typically a low season — visitor arrivals matched the peak levels recorded in 2019, underscoring Vietnam’s rising appeal as a year-round destination.
By extending visa-free access and targeting high-value markets, Vietnam aims to strengthen its competitive edge in the global tourism industry and sustain its post-pandemic recovery momentum.
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Source: Vietnam Insider