Which destinations in South Korea grant Vietnamese visitors visa-free entry?

This information was confirmed by Interior Minister Jeon Hae Cheol at a press conference on May 4th. This is seen as a positive sign for the tourism industry in South Korea after two years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In fact, the visa-free program on Jeju Island has been in place since 2002. Tourists from 24 countries and territories (including Vietnam), designated by the Korean Ministry of Justice, were allowed to visit for up to 30 days without needing a visa. However, this program was temporarily suspended on April 4, 2020, due to the outbreak and complex development of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a representative of the Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam, Vietnamese tourists are allowed to visit Jeju Island for a maximum of 30 days without a visa, using two methods of transportation: charter flights (flights with their own departure schedules; not dependent on fixed airline schedules) or connecting flights in a third country. Tourists can travel on tours or independently, but they are only allowed to stay on the island and are not permitted to enter the mainland or travel to other places.

For tourists arriving at Yangyang International Airport, visa-free travel to Gangwon and the Seoul metropolitan area is permitted for up to 15 days. Currently, there are no commercial flights from cities in Vietnam to Yangyang, so travelers must take charter flights.

The Yangyang visa exemption policy only applies to tourists who purchase tours from travel companies and travel in groups of five or more. These companies will be held responsible to the Korean government in case Vietnamese tourists encounter any problems during their trip.

The South Korean Interior Minister also affirmed that South Korea will implement measures to revive the local economy with a "return to the new normal" by streamlining entry procedures and offering reasonable visa exemptions to increase tourist numbers and revitalize the tourism industry.

Currently, the South Korean government has also lifted some strict regulations and exempted fully vaccinated travelers from mandatory quarantine.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao