The government will consider expanding the list of countries whose citizens are exempt from visa requirements to enter Vietnam in order to boost tourism growth.

Accordingly, the Government requests that Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, and chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities continue to thoroughly understand the guiding principles and management established at the beginning of the year, proactively and promptly organize the effective implementation of tasks and solutions in all fields according to the Resolutions of the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and the directives of the Prime Minister; persistently maintain the goal of ensuring macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, prioritizing the promotion of growth, and ensuring the major balances of the economy; focus on removing difficulties and obstacles for production and business, promoting economic and social recovery and development; and strive to achieve the highest possible results for the targets, indicators, and tasks set out in the 2023 plan.

Regarding the tourism sector, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to promote tourism, effectively exploit potential international tourist markets; and develop new, high-quality, and highly competitive tourism products to promote tourism recovery and sustainable development.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with relevant agencies and localities, will promote economic diplomacy, actively and comprehensively integrate into the international community, and meticulously prepare and implement high-level diplomatic programs, further deepening bilateral and multilateral partnerships with other countries and in international forums. It will also urgently propose to the Government the expansion of visa-exempt countries to Vietnam to promote socio-economic development and tourism growth.

The tourism industry is receiving deep attention from the Party and the State. The Government will issue a Resolution on accelerating the recovery and development of tourism after the 2023 National Tourism Conference chaired by the Prime Minister. At the upcoming session in May 2023, the National Assembly is expected to issue a Resolution with content that facilitates visa and immigration policies, including: (1) Increasing the validity period of electronic visas from no more than 30 days to no more than 3 months, valid for single or multiple entries; (2) Issuing electronic visas to citizens of all countries and territories; (3) Upgrading the validity period of temporary residence certificates at border gates for people entering under the unilateral visa exemption scheme from 15 days to 45 days. Along with the government's consideration of expanding the list of countries exempt from visa requirements for entry into Vietnam, these policies will be groundbreaking and will create momentum to attract international tourists to Vietnam, strongly developing the tourism industry in the coming time.

Bi Le