While Vietnam may be shooting itself in the foot with work permit regulations, the country may take an important step forward when it comes to tourist visas.
TTR Weekly reports that tourism authorities are considering a recommendation from the Tourism Working Group on ways to increase tourism in Vietnam, starting with 14 – 30 day visa exemptions for visitors from EU countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
In addition, the group recommended the implementation of streamlined visa procedures and more visa-on-arrival facilities.
Vietnam currently allows visa exemptions for 17 countries:
- Citizens of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan get a visa-free stay of up to 30 days.
- Citizens of the Philippines get 21 days.
- Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Japan, and South Korea get 15 days.
- Citizens of Brunei and Myanmar for 14 days.
If the recommendation is adopted, it should go a long way towards boosting tourism numbers.
[TTR Weekly // Photo via DC Greer]
