Thailand’s initiative of a single visa program involving six ASEAN countries is anticipated to significantly enhance Vietnam’s ability to attract long-haul and affluent tourists. The initiative, similar to the Schengen visa, aims to create an easy and hassle-free travel experience across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. This unified visa will simplify travel logistics and enhance the region’s appeal as a cohesive tourism destination.
Truong Quoc Hung, Chairman of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club, lauded Thailand’s initiative, asserting that the single visa would attract affluent tourists and boost tourism revenue. He noted that it would also facilitate the creation of inter-regional road trips by travel agencies.
Nguyen Van Tai, CEO of VietSense Travel, drew parallels with the successful Schengen Area in Europe, where a single visa policy has significantly benefited member states. He highlighted that a similar approach in Southeast Asia could strengthen tourism linkages and address current visa barriers that deter international visitors.
AZA Travel CEO Nguyen Tien Dat emphasized that the single visa policy would enhance the competitive edge of the six countries compared to other ASEAN destinations and major Asian tourism markets like South Korea, Japan, and China. He noted that Vietnam’s current visa exemption list includes about 30 countries, while Thailand extends this to over 80 countries. Joining the single visa initiative would be a significant step forward for Vietnam’s tourism policy.
Dr. Nuno F. Ribeiro from RMIT University described the visa arrangement as an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to attract international visitors who might otherwise limit their travels to Thailand and Malaysia. He recommended that Vietnam further extend its visa exemptions, particularly for tourists from developed countries such as Australia, Canada, the US, and the remaining EU nations, to encourage longer stays and higher spending.
Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, stressed the importance of ensuring political stability, defense-security, and strong foreign relations among the six countries before implementing the single-visa program. This cautious approach aims to ensure that the new visa policy benefits all involved nations without compromising security and stability.
This visa initiative represents a transformative opportunity for Vietnam and its ASEAN partners to elevate their tourism sectors by simplifying travel and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
