Starting from March 1, 2025, Vietnam is expanding its visa exemption policy by adding Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Citizens of these three countries can now visit without a visa for up to 45 days.
This move is part of the government's strategy to boost tourism and strengthen cultural and economic ties with these nations.
The policy aligns with the existing visa exemption program for 13 other countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and the Nordic countries.
Visa-Free Entry via Tour Packages
Beginning on March 1, 2025, the visa exemption will apply to travelers arriving through tour packages organized by Vietnam’s international tour operators. The policy accommodates all passport types, provided all entry requirements established by Vietnamese law are met.
This policy will be in effect for a limited period, from March 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, as part of the 2025 Tourism Stimulus Program, aimed at attracting more visitors and driving growth in Vietnam's tourism sector.
Independent Travelers May Face Limitations
On the other hand, this policy seems to favor travelers joining organized tours rather than independent tourists.
Many travelers today prefer to plan their trips independently through online platforms or make spontaneous decisions. This could potentially limit the policy’s overall impact.
Vietnam’s Tourism Set to Soar
In 2024, Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors, a nearly 40% increase from the previous year and approaching pre-pandemic numbers from 2019. The government aims to attract 22-23 million international tourists by 2025 to continue driving growth in the tourism sector.
This visa exemption policy was announced during Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s visit to Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as his participation in the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and bilateral meetings in Switzerland from January 15-23.