Manaʻo ʻo Vietnam ma kahi o iwakāluakūmālua miliona mau huakaʻi huakaʻi hele ma 2025 me nā hoʻoponopono Visa a me nā papahana noho gula.

Pōʻakahi, ʻApelila 14, 2025

In a bold move to attract over twenty-two million international travelers in 2025, Vietnam is overhauling its visa policies with a focus on long-stay and high-value tourism. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed key ministries to explore more flexible and convenient visa options, including the introduction of Golden Visas, 10-year Investor Visas, and streamlined Talent Visas for professionals, artists, and innovators. The proposal, driven by the Tourism Advisory Board, aims to position Vietnam as a top-tier destination for global travelers and compete with regional leaders like Thailand and Malaysia, who already offer similar long-term travel incentives.

Vietnam Eyes Visa Overhaul to Attract 23 Million Foreign Visitors in 2025

As Vietnam aggressively pursues its ambitious goal of welcoming 23 million international tourists in 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a bold directive urging key ministries to propose sweeping reforms to the country’s visa framework. These reforms aim to make travel to Vietnam more accessible, especially for high-value travelers such as investors, skilled professionals, artists, and scientists.

Proposed Changes Include Long-Term Golden, Investor, and Talent Visas

The Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has submitted a landmark proposal calling for the introduction of three new visa categories designed to boost foreign arrivals and attract global talent:

• A ʻO ka Visa Visa, offering a stay of 5 to 10 years for general long-term visitors.
• A 10-Year Investor Visa, with eligibility for permanent residency after five years.
• A 5-Year Talent Visa, specifically for innovators, researchers, artists, and other highly skilled professionals, with simplified renewal procedures.

To evaluate the program’s potential, TAB suggested piloting the initiative in major tourist hotspots including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.

Additionally, the proposal recommends forming a Visa Policy Reform Board—a collaborative task force comprising public and private sector representatives—to guide implementation and ensure competitive edge in Southeast Asia’s evolving tourism market.

Vietnam’s Visa Push Comes Amid Fierce Regional Competition

Vietnam’s renewed visa ambitions come at a time when neighboring countries are rapidly expanding their own long-stay visa schemes. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have all rolled out visa programs aimed at long-term tourists, remote workers, and investors.

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa allows a 10-year stay, coupled with tax breaks, work permits, and property rights. Malaysia’s “Ko'u Home Lua” program continues to draw foreign investment by offering residency perks, while Singapore’s EntrePass and Global Investor Program remain magnets for global entrepreneurs and financiers.

Vietnam, by contrast, currently extends visa-free access to only 30 countries—falling far behind Malaysia (158) and Thailand (93). The TAB has warned that without significant visa modernization, Vietnam could lose ground in the race for high-spending, long-staying visitors.

Recent Policy Tweaks Show Promise

Despite structural limitations, Vietnam has taken steps to improve visa access. Since March 1, travelers from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 45 days. Additionally, visa exemptions for key markets like South Korea and Japan have been extended through 2028.

Still, TAB insists that these adjustments aren’t enough to compete with the comprehensive and flexible visa schemes offered by other countries in the region.

Vietnam’s Tourism Promotion Budget Lags Behind

Beyond policy, TAB highlighted a glaring disparity in Vietnam’s tourism promotion funding. Compared to regional rivals Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore—who continue to inject substantial resources into international marketing—Vietnam’s promotional budget remains modest, limiting its global outreach potential.

Tourist Arrivals Reach Record High in Q1 2025

Nevertheless, Vietnam’s tourism sector is gaining momentum. In the first quarter of 2025, the country welcomed over 6 million international tourists, setting a new quarterly record and marking a 30% increase from the same period in 2024.

For the first time, Vietnam surpassed Thailand in Chinese arrivals, drawing 1.6 million Chinese visitors in just three months—compared to Thailand’s 1.3 million. Analysts point to shifting travel trends, safety concerns, and economic pressures in China as contributing factors.

Vietnam is revamping its visa policies to attract over twenty-two million international travelers in 2025, with new long-term visa options targeting investors, skilled professionals, and global tourists. The move aims to boost tourism competitiveness and align Vietnam with leading travel destinations in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam also saw strong performance from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, signaling growing global interest despite ongoing structural challenges.