China grants 10-day visa-free transit to Vietnamese citizens

China’s National Immigration Administration announced that citizens of Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan holding ordinary passports can enter China without a visa through 65 designated ports, including those in Beijing and Shanghai.

To qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, travellers must hold valid passports and confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region. They may stay in designated areas for up to 10 days.

With the addition of Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, the number of countries covered by China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy has risen to 57.

Vietnamese and Kyrgyz citizens with ordinary passports can also enter Hainan through designated ports and stay anywhere in the province for up to 30 days without a visa. The Hainan visa-free policy now covers 61 countries.

Under both schemes, visitors may engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business and visiting family or friends.

However, those travelling for activities requiring prior approval, including work, study or journalism, must obtain a visa in advance.

China’s immigration authorities said the measures are aimed at facilitating travel, trade and investment while strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other countries.

RoK extends visa fee waiver for Vietnamese tour groups through year-end

VOV.VN - The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Justice Ministry said on July 1 it will extend a waiver of visa application fees for group tourists from six countries, including Vietnam, through December 31 to support the recovery of inbound tourism, according to the Korea Herald.