Vietnam: The electronic visa will evolve

With more than 15 million tourists in 2018 and a 20% increase in the number of travellers compared to 2017, Vietnam has experienced remarkable tourism growth in recent years. This dynamic is fuelled by the rapid development of infrastructure, low-cost airlines and a visa policy that has been liberalised over the years.

Regarding entry conditions, the country has long wanted to compete fraternally with its neighbours in the ASEAN region, many of whom have visa policies that are less restrictive than Vietnam’s: simplified visa issuance procedure on arrival, visa exemption or electronic visa for many nationalities, etc.

Vietnam currently offers: a visa waiver for 24 countries, including France for stays of 15 days until June 30, 2021; an arrival visa upon presentation of a ministerial authorization involving pre-departure procedures; since February 2017, an electronic visa for citizens from 46 countries, including France.

Wishing to surf on this great year 2018, where the country was notably awarded the prize for « Best Destination 2018 in Asia » at the World Travel Awards, the Vietnamese government is preparing to develop its e-Visa.

Two years to the day after its entry into service, it is by Decree 17/2019/NÐ-CP, dated 1 February 2019, that the Vietnamese authorities announce that 35 nationalities will be added to the 46 already eligible for an electronic visa and that 5 additional border crossings will be offered to users.

The decree takes effect for a period of two years, from 1 February 2019 to 1 February 2021, because it should be recalled that the test period for issuing the electronic visa currently ends on that date. As the country is currently completing the Lunar New Year festivities, celebrating the Year of the Sow, these developments should come into effect in the coming days.

The e-Visa for Vietnam, which costs US$25, is currently available to nationals of the following countries:

France, Germany, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Belarus, Belarus, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Timor-Leste, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela.