Vietnam to Grant E-visas for Citizens from 80 Countries

Citizens from 80 countries worldwide will be allowed to enter Vietnam using e-visas from July, according to Resolution 79/NQ-CP recently issued by the Government.

The Resolution states that the list of countries whose citizens are granted electronic visas is specified in Clause 10, Article 1 of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Among the countries in the list are Austria, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, India, South Korea, the United States, Italy, Finland, France, China, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Chile, Canada, the Czech Republic, Cuba and Denmark.

Besides, the Government published a list of international border gates that allow foreigners to enter and exit with electronic visas. Accordingly, 37 listed international border gates include eight airports, 16 road border gates and 13 sea border gates.

Specifically, the eight airports listed in the new decision include Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Cat Bi, Can Tho, Phu Quoc and Phu Bai.

Sixteen road border gates are Tay Trang in Dien Bien province, Mong Cai in Quang Ninh province, Huu Nghi in Lang Son province, Lao Cai in  Lao Cai province, Na Meo in Thanh Hoa province, Nam Can in Nghe An province, Cau Treo in Ha Tinh province, Cha Lo in Quang Binh province, La Lay, Lao Bao in Quang Tri province, Bo Y in Kon Tum province, Moc Bai, Xa Mat in Tay Ninh province, Tinh Bien, Song Tien in An Giang province, and Ha Tien in Kien Giang province.

Thirteen seaports are Hon Gai, Cam Pha in Quang Ninh province, Hai Phong in Hai Phong City, Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa province, Vung Ang in Ha Tinh province, Chan May in Thua Thien-Hue province, Da Nang in Da Nang City, Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province, Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh province, Dung Quat in Quang Ngai province, Vung Tau in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Ho Chi Minh City and Duong Dong in Kien Giang province.

Foreigners are not required to be present at representative agencies of Vietnam in their countries, get interviewed or scan their fingers to apply for e-visas. They can go directly to the website https://immigration.gov.vn and apply for e-visas themselves.

Previously, to stimulate the tourism industry so seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed some solutions such as unilateral visa exemption for major tourist markets and potential tourist markets of Vietnam; and continue to grant electronic visas at border gates. Due to Covid-19, transportation firms and hotels reported suffering a 50-70% decline of tourists, both Vietnamese and foreigners.

By Quynh Chi, Vietnam Business Forum