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| Vietnam lawmakers approve the extension of e-visa validity to 3 months. Photo: VnEconomy |
During their visa validity, foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam multiple times, without having to go through new visa procedures, according to VOV.
The Government has been assigned to decide on the list of countries and territories, and the list of international border gates allowing foreigners to enter and exit by e-visas.
The National Assembly also allowed citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam to be granted temporary residence for 45 days as opposed to the current 15-day regulations and be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to regulations.
The proposals were included in amendments and supplements to the Law on exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens and the Law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, which were approved by the lawmakers at the fifth National Assembly session on June 23.
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| The National Assembly also allows citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam to be granted temporary residence for 45 days. Photo: VGP |
Under the current law, a foreigner can apply for an e-visa which is valid for a single entry and up to 30 days. It also allows citizens of 80 countries and territories applying for an e-visa to enter Vietnam.
As of 2023, citizens of 25 countries can travel to Vietnam without having to apply for a visa, with visitors allowed to stay between 14 and 30 days on average. Meanwhile, some other countries in Southeast Asia such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand allow citizens from 158, 166, 169, 157, and 70 countries and territories, respectively, to enjoy their visa exemption policy when entering their territories.
The National Defense and Security Committee of the National Assembly that oversees the bill said the current regulations have yet to meet the needs of foreign tourists and investors in Vietnam.
The extension of the e-visa validity is said to create favorable conditions for foreigners when they enter and exit the country, contributing to reducing administrative procedures and saving time and costs. It will meet the needs of international travelers and foreigners entering Vietnam to explore business and investment opportunities.
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| Foreign visitors to Hoi An City, a famous destination in the central province of Quang Nam. Photo: VNA |
The new amendments and supplements will take effect from August 15, 2023.
Vietnam welcomed nearly 4.6 million international arrivals in the first five months of 2023, a 12.6-fold rise year-on-year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.
Of the international visitors, 88% came to the country by air, 10.9% by road, and 1.1% by sea.
Tourism revenue went up 89.4% while earnings from catering services rose 22.1%, the office said, attributing the increases partly to many holidays during the five months.
However, the number of foreign visitors in May fell 6.9% from the previous month, it said./.
