DU LỊCH
Visa waiver policy for citizens from 12 countries will be extanded
Under the Government’s Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP dated March 7, 2025, citizens from 12 countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland will be waived from a visa requirement from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028.
The resolution stated that citizens of these countries will be exempted from visas for a temporary stay period of 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type and purpose of entry, on the basis of fully meeting the entry conditions as prescribed by Vietnam's laws.
According to the newly-released resolution, the visa exemption policy will be considered for extension under the provisions of Vietnam's laws.
This decision has been made on a unilateral basis.
Earlier, under the Government’s Resolutions No. 32/NQ-CP and 128/NQ-CP, dated March 15, 2022 and August 14, 2023, respectively, citizens from 13 countries, including the 12 above-mentioned countries, could travel to Vietnam without a visa.
Under its resolution No. 11/NQ-CP, dated January 15, 2025, the Vietnamese Government also decided to apply a visa waiver policy to tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland from March 1-December 31, 2025.
Vietnam’s facilitating visa policies and stronger tourism promotion programs along with increasingly high prestige have all contributed to drawing more foreign visitors to the country. Around 17.5 million foreign tourists visited Vietnam in 2024.
In the first two months of 2025, nearly 4 million international tourists traveled to Vietnam, a year-on-year increase of 30.2 per cent. China was Vietnam's largest source of tourists, with 956,00 visitors, making up 27.7 per cent. South Korea came second with 885,000, followed by Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, and Russia.
Vietnam targets to attract 22-23 million international tourists this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels.
-Vân Nguyễn
Transportation services continue to boom
Transportation services in the first two months of the year continued to boom in terms of both passenger and cargo transport, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
The total number of transported passengers was estimated at 912.4 million, up 13.8% compared to the same period last year, including 812.9 million transport by road, 85.5 million by waterway, and 9.5 million by air.
Meanwhile, the volume of transported freight was estimated at 471.8 million tons, increasing 14.5% year-on-year. Of which, 346.3 million tons transported by road, up 15.5%, and 27.2 million tons by sea, up 25.9%.
-Minh Kiệt
Emirates to open an air route to Da Nang from June 2
The Government News on March 4 quoted Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, as announcing that it will conduct four weekly services from Dubai via Bangkok to the central city of Da Nang from June 2.
Emirates' four weekly services to Da Nang make the central city the airline's third gateway into Vietnam, after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Flights to Da Nang will operate with the Emirates’ Boeing 777 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The carefully timed flight schedule of the new linked service will provide travelers with convenient, optimized connections, and streamlined access to major European cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Manchester, Milan, and Rome, as well as major U.S. cities.
Emirates flight EK370 will depart from Dubai at 9.00 (Dubai time) and arrives in Bangkok at 18.25 (local time). The flight will then depart from Bangkok at 20.10 (local time) and arrives in Da Nang at 21.50 (local time).
The return flight EK371 will depart from Da Nang at 23.30 and arrives in Bangkok at 1.10 the next day. The flight will then take off at 3.40, arriving in Dubai at 6.50. All times are local.
Lodging facilities in the central coastal city of Da Nang are set to serve 11.9 million tourists, including 4.8 million foreigners, in 2025, annual increases of 10 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.
As a popular tourist destination in central Vietnam, Da Nang plans to maintain its signature events in 2025 such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, Da Nang Asian Film Festival, a food tour, a New Year celebration, and a beach tourism program.
The 16th fireworks festival, scheduled to run from May 31-July 12, will light up the sky in six nights and feature 10 teams for the first time.
Last year, Da Nang welcomed approximately 10.9 million visitors.
The central economic hub has a total of 90 kilometers of coastline and dozens of beaches, including stunning My Khe. Meanwhile, the city's Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountain) district is renowned as a center for stone sculpture art, with Non Nuoc craft village standing at the foot of the Marble Mountain.
-Phạm Long
HCM City welcomes over 1 mln foreign tourists in first two months
Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 550,991 international tourists in February, a year-on-year increase of 13.2%.
The figure brings the total number of foreign visitors to the southern metropolis to over 1 million in the first two months of the year, up 15.7% compared to the same period last year..
Meanwhile, over 5.57 million domestic tourists visited the city in the two-month period, soaring 8.3% year-ơn-year.
Total tourism revenue in the first two months is estimated at over VND37.4 trillion ($1.45 billion).
The city targets to welcome 8.5 million international visitors and 45 million domestic tourists this year. Total tourism turnover is expected at VND260 trillion ($10.09 billion).
-Thi Nguyễn
National Aviation Security Center to be set up
A National Aviation Security Center will be set up under the Ministry of Public Security's Immigration Department, according to a report from the Government News.
The newly-established center will provide aviation security services at airports, airfields, and facilities for processing cargo and postal items for air transport.
From March 1, the Ministry of Public Security will officially oversee and implement aviation security nationwide, instead of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam
The provincial police is tasked to supervise and control aviation security at the airport based provinces and cities, namely Quang Ninh (Van Don Airport), Hai Phong (Cat Bi Airport), Hue (Phu Bai Airport), Can Tho (Can Tho Airport), Lam Dong (Lien Khuong Airport), Dak Lak (Buon Ma Thuat Airport), Kien Giang (Rach Gia Airport), Cau Mau (Ca Mau Airport), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (Con Dao Airport), Binh Dinh (Phu Cat Airport), Gia Lai (Pleiku Airport), Phu Yen (Tuy Hoa Airport), Quang Nam (Chu Lai Airport), Quang Binh (Dong Hoi Airport), Dien Bien (Dien Bien Airport), Thanh Hoa (Tho Xuan Airport) and Nghe An (Vinh Airport).
The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam estimated that the aviation market handled 78.3 million passengers and 1.21 million tons of cargo in 2024, reflecting year-on-year growth of 7.7 per cent and 13.4 per cent, respectively.
-Phạm Long
Visas for tourists from three European countries waived from March
Under the Government's Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2025, no visa requirements have been applied to tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland when they join tours to Vietnam organized by international travel service providers in Vietnam from March 1 until December 31, 2025.
According to the Government News, a temporary stay of up to 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purposes will be applied to visa waiver tourists from the three European countries.
Vietnam also unilaterally exempts visas for citizens from 13 countries, namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the RoK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus, with a duration of stay of up to 45 days from the date of entry.
These countries are among the largest tourist source markets of Vietnam.
In 2024, Vietnam attracted over 17.5 million international tourists, an increase of 39.5 per cent from 2023.
The country targets to attract 22-23 million international tourists this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels, accoring to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
-Vân Nguyễn
A large-scale eco-tourism resort to be developed in southern Binh Duong province
The People's Committee of southern Binh Duong province is in the process of zoning the construction planning for
A high-end ecological tourism resort is to be developed at Tha La Peninsula on Dau Tieng Lake, Dau Tieng District, the southern province of Binh Duong.
According a report from Radio the Voice of Vietnam, the People's Committee of the province is in the process of zoning the construction planning for the project.
The project covers a total planned area of approximately 458 ha, including land for tourism development combined with about 36 ha of natural lake surface, arranging piers, and lakes for aquatic life breeding and planting aquatic plants.
The predicted maximum daily capacity is approximately 37,098 – 61,601 people. The maximum scale of tourists for one stay can accommodate approximately 13,613 people.
The total number of accommodation rooms that can be provided is approximately 4,880, including hotels and various types of low-rise accommodation buildings.
This plan, as part of Binh Duong province's development planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the planning of Dau Tieng District until 2040, aims to exploit natural and artificial resources effectively and sustainably, creating a multi-objective green tourism economic space.
-Phạm Long
Vietjet to launch first direct route between Vietnam and New Zealand
Vietjet has announced its first direct route linking Ho Chi Minh City and Auckland, marking a major milestone in Vietnam–New Zealand relations, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.
The launch comes as both nations are celebrating 50 years of their bilateral relationship which has been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon from February 25-28.
Set to take off this September, the new route will operate four round-trip flights per week using Vietjet’s state-of-the-art fleet.
A Vietjet representative emphasized that the route will not only enhance travel convenience but also promote investment and cultural exchange while integrating New Zealand into Vietjet’s expansive flight network across Asia and beyond.
The new connection offers travellers an affordable and time-efficient journey, with multiple fare classes and an in-flight dining experience featuring a diverse selection of Vietnamese and international cuisine.
This direct link is expected to unlock new opportunities for tourism, business, and education between the two nations, further strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership in the years ahead.
-Vân Nguyễn
Transportation services grow positively in February
Transportation activities grew positively in February in terms of both passenger and cargo transport, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Passenger transport was estimated at 7.3 million people, a year-on-year increase of 12.4%. Of which, 4.2 million were international passengers, up 22% and 3.1 million were domestic, up 1.6%.
Vietnamese airlines transported 4.8 million passengers, soaring 6.2% year-on-year. Of the total, there were 1.7 million foreign passengers, up 15.4% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, freight transport was estimated at over 110,000 tons, surging 39% compared to the same period last year. Domestic freight was estimated at 22,400 tons, rising 29.2% year-on-year; and international cargo reached 88,400 tons, up 41.7%.
-Phương Nhi
Phu Quoc airport to be upgraded to serve 10 mln passengers
The Phu Quoc International Airport on the island of the same name in southern Kien Giang province will be upgraded to increase its capacity to serve 10 million passengers and 25,000 tons of cargo annually by 2030, following the airport’s development plan.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Transport to approve the airport’s development plan for 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2050.
Under the plan, the airport will be upgraded to meet 4E airport classification and Level II military airport standards.
A new terminal will be built with an estimated capacity of serving 6 million passengers per year.
By 2050, the airport will be able to handle 18 million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo each year.
-Huỳnh Dũng
International searches relating to travel to Vietnam up 45%: Google Insights
Searches by international visitors for accommodations in Vietnam skyrocketed 45% year-on-year in the first half of February this year, according to Google Destination Insights.
During the period from last November to January 2025, international searches for travel to Vietnam rose 30% year-on-year.
The top markets searching for travel to Vietnam include the United States, Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Malaysia.
In January, Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international tourists, up 18.5% compared to the previous month and 36.9% year-on-year.
Vietnam targets to attract 22-23 million foreign visitors this year and serve 120-130 million domestic tourists.
-Bạch Dương
More detailed information about Vietnam's e-visa
Citizens of all countries and territories around the world, who hold a valid passport, can apply for e-visa to enter Vietnam, with validity duration to up to 90 days.
Below is useful information released by the Government News that foreigners should know before applying for e-visa to reach Vietnam:
General information
Electronic visa or e-visa is issued to foreigners with valid passports.
E-visa application fee is paid through the e-visa portal's e-payment gateway and is non-refundable in case the visa is not granted.
E-visa fee: $25 for a single-entry, and $50 for a multiple-entry.
Designated international border gates for entry and exit with e-visa
Foreigners using e-visas granted by Vietnam must enter and exit the country through the following international border gates that have been designated by the Government:
List of land border gates:
- Bo Y international border gate, Kon Tum province.
- Cha Lo international border gate, Quang Binh province.
- Cau Treo international border gate, Ha Tinh province.
- Huu Nghi international border gate, Lang Son province.
- Ha Tien international border gate, Kien Giang province.
- Lao Bao international border gate, Quang Tri province.
- Lao Cai international border gate, Lao Cai province.
- La Lay international border gate, Quang Tri province.
- Moc Bai international border gate, Tay Ninh province.
- Mong Cai international border gate, Quang Ninh province.
- Nam Can international border gate, Nghe An province.
- Na Meo international border gate, Thanh Hoa province.
- Vinh Xuong international land and river border gate, An Giang province.
- Tinh Bien international border gate, An Giang province.
- Tay Trang international border gate, Dien Bien province.
- Xa Mat international border gate, Tay Ninh province.
List of air border gates:
- Cat Bi Airport Border Gate.
- Cam Ranh Airport Border Gate.
- Can Tho Airport Border Gate.
- Da Nang Airport Border Gate.
- Noi Bai Airport Border Gate.
- Phu Quoc Airport Border Gate.
- Phu Bai Airport Border Gate.
- Tan Son Nhat Airport Border Gate.
- Van Don Airport Border Gate.
- Tho Xuan Airport Border Gate.
- Dong Hoi Airport Border Gate.
- Phu Cat Airport Border Gate.
- Lien Khuong Airport Border Gate.
List of sea border gates:
- Chan May Port Border Gate, Hue City (formerly Thua Thien – Hue province).
- Cam Pha Port Border Gate, Quang Ninh Province.
- Da Nang Port Border Gate, Da Nang City.
- Duong Dong Port Border Gate, Kien Giang Province.
- Dung Quat Port Border Gate, Quang Ngai Province.
- Hon Gai Port Border Gate, Quang Ninh Province.
- Hai Phong Port Border Gate, Hai Phong City.
- Nghi Son Port Border Gate, Thanh Hoa Province.
- Nha Trang Port Border Gate, Khanh Hoa Province.
- Quy Nhon port border gate, Binh Dinh province.
- Ho Chi Minh City Port Border Gate, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Vung Ang Port Border Gate, Ha Tinh Province.
- Vung Tau Port Border Gate, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province.
Visa exemption
Foreigners who are citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam when entering Viet Nam will be granted a 45-day temporary stay certificate.
Foreigners exempted from visas under international treaties to which Vietnam is a party will be granted a temporary stay period according to the provisions of the international treaty.
If the international treaty does not specify the temporary stay period, a 30-day temporary residence period will be granted.
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Central Da Nang city held tourism promotion program in India
A program introducing central Da Nang city’s tourism was held in Ahmedabad (India) on February 17.
The event, jointly held by the city’s Tourism Department and Vietjet Air, attracted over 100 representatives from India tourism associations and tourism enterprises.
The event is aimed at promoting tourism cooperation between Da Nang and Ahmedabad through the carrier’s direct air routes.
It is also aimed at introducing Da Nang’s popular destinations for Indian tourists.
The program featured a wide range of activities, including business-to-business exchanges and display of tourism products and services of Vietnam's central city.
Da Nang considers India as one of its potential tourism markets. India has become one among the top five largest international tourism markets of Da Nang since 2022.
-Ngô Anh Văn
Nearly 7.3 mln passengers transported by air during Tet
The number of passengers transported by air reached nearly 7.3 million during the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025 from January 14 to February 12, a year-on-year rise of 11.7%, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
Among them, there were 4 million international passengers, up 16.3% year-on-year, and 3.3 million domestic passengers, up 6.6%.
Meanwhile, total cargo transport reached 96,000 tons, increasing by 9.4% compared to the same period last year.
Of the total number of passengers, over 4.8 million were served by Vietnamese airlines, surging 5.6%; while 34,000 out of 96,000 tons of cargo were transported by the domestic airlines, soaring 9.8%.
During the reviewed period, the number of takeoffs and landings at airports across the country reached nearly 69,000, increasing 9.5% year-on-year.
-Đan Tiên
Vietnam Airlines to open direct flight to China’s Beijing Daxing International Airport
National carrier Vietnam Airlines will officially open a direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to China’s Beijing Daxing International Airport, the largest airport in the world, from March 30.
The Government News quoted the national carrier as announcing that the new route will operate five weekly flights every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, using Airbus A321 aircraft.
In addition to the new flight route, Vietnam Airlines has also increased the frequency on the Hanoi-Beijing route to seven flights per week.
With this new route, Vietnam Airlines will operate a total of six routes connecting Vietnam and China, including Hanoi–Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City–Beijing Daxing, Hanoi–Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City–Shanghai, Hanoi–Guangzhou, and Ho Chi Minh City–Guangzhou.
The total number of direct flights between the two countries has reached 40 per week, meeting the travel demand of passengers from both nations.
In 2024, China was Vietnam's second largest tourist source market with nearly 3.74 million arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 114.4 per cent.
Vietnam welcomed 574,950 tourists from China in January this year, making up 27.8 per cent of total international arrivals.
-Vân Nguyễn
On-time rate of Vietnamese airlines reaches 60% in January
The overall on-time departure rate for all Vietnamese airlines reached 60% in January, down 7.7% year-on-year, according to reports from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
Bamboo Airways led the way with an on-time rate of 84.3%. It was followed by Pacific Airlines (74.9%) and Vietnam Airlines (69%). Meanwhile, Vietravel Airlines and Vietjet Air recorded the punctuality rate of 57.2% and 46.8%, respectively.
The primary cause of the decline in on-time rate was overloading of major airports and tough weather conditions such as fog, particularly in the northern region.
The number of passengers travelling by air in January, particularly during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, skyrocketed. In the nine-day holiday alone, the aviation sector transported 2.5 million passengers, up 17.8% year-on-year. Of which, there were 1.35 million international passengers, a year-on-year rise of 23%.
-Tuấn Khang
Hanoi restricts large vehicles in Old Quarter
The Hanoi People's Committee has approved a proposal from its Department of Transport to pilot a plan, under which vehicles with more than 16 seats will not be allowed to drive in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake area during peak hours, excluding buses and school vehicles.
The restriction will be effective from March 1, targeting peak hours: morning from 6:30 am to 8:30 am, and afternoon from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. After a six-month trial period, authorities will evaluate its effectiveness and report to the city for a potential official decision.
The restriction zone includes key streets such as Hang Giay, Dong Xuan, Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Dinh Tien Hoang, and the area within the Hang Dau - Tran Nhat Duat - Nguyen Huu Huan axis.
Additionally, streets like Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Nha Chung, Quang Trung (from Trang Thi to Nha Chung), Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hang Hanh alley, and Bao Khanh alley are also parts of the restriction area.
-Phương Nhi
Northern Quang Ninh province aims for 20 million tourists, $2 bln revenue
Northern Quang Ninh province aims to attract 20 million tourists in 2025, with revenue estimated at VND50 trillion (over $1.95 billion).
The province has implemented a series of solutions and achieved impressive results right from the start of the year.
Thirteen tourist attractions in the province are equipped with QR codes, allowing locals and tourists to look up and learn about the history, culture, and scenery of the places they visit in a precise and clear manner.
The locality continuously updates promotional activities and tourism information on various internet platforms, including YouTube, Zalo, Instagram, and the websites halongtourism.com.vn and discoverhalong.com in Vietnamese, English, and Chinese. To date, it has garnered over 30,000 followers.
During the 9-day Lunar New Year (Tết) holiday in 2025, Quang Ninh welcomed nearly 970,000 tourists, a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Among these, international visitors accounted for nearly 230,000, with international overnight visitors reaching nearly 140,600. Total tourism revenue during this period amounted to VND2.6 trillion ($101.7 million), marking a 43% increase compared to the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday.
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