New visa exemption policy expected to give a boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry

“The hotel was excellent, I felt as if I was at home. It’s perfect for relaxation, in a great beachfront location with convenient access to many places. What I remembered most about Phu Quoc was its people – they were friendly and made me feel at home. Actually, Phu Quoc is peaceful and ideal for long stays. I will definitely return, possibly in October or November this year,” Knoblauch Rof, a Swiss tourist told VOV.VN after spending more than 20 days staying at a resort in Phu Quoc.

From March 1 to December 31, 2025, Swiss, Polish, and Czech citizens traveling to Vietnam for tourism will be granted a 45-day visa exemption upon entry. This policy applies to all passport types and requires compliance with the country’s entry regulations.

Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are high-quality tourist markets with strong spending power. Some destinations in Vietnam such as Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, have already successfully catered to these markets, and the newly introduced visa exemption policy is expected to benefit from these markets.

In 2024, Vietnam welcomed an estimated 51,000 Polish and 33,000 Swiss tourists, with Phu Quoc being the primary destination. Notably, direct charter flights operated by LOT Airlines between Warsaw and Phu Quoc brought 15,000 Polish tourists to Vietnam in 2024. Since October 2024, weekly charter flights have also transported Czech tourists to Phu Quoc.

Caballero Medeiros Mario Jorge, Regional Operations director for Southern Vietnam and Phu Quoc at Meliá Vinpearl, shared that Czech and Polish tourists love beaches and resorts, and they are eager to shop and spend generously.

“Hotels like Melia Vinpearl Phu Quoc have seen a significant increase in Czech visitors. Their high spending and long stays generate considerable revenue for hotels and local tourism businesses. This market holds great potential for Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Vietnam as a whole,” said the executive.

Vietnamese travel businesses recognize Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland as high-potential markets with high spending and long stays. Poland, in particular, is a fast-growing outbound tourism market that recorded approximately 17.4 million international trips in 2023, with an expected 7% annual growth from 2023 to 2027, according to GlobalData.

“Polish, Czech, and Swiss tourists are high-quality travelers with strong spending power. Phu Quoc’s tourism industry has successfully served these markets, helping to enhance Vietnam’s reputation in Europe. The government’s visa exemption policy for these three markets will create more opportunities for destinations like Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Hue,” said Andy Nguyen, general manager of Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Phu Quoc.

In Khanh Hoa province, Bui Quoc Dai, deputy director of Anex Vietnam, stated that visa exemptions will significantly boost Polish tourism in 2025.

“This policy will definitely increase interest from Polish tourists. We have planned charter flights from Poland to Khanh Hoa from January to April 2025, operating three flights per month with 500-seat wide-body aircraft. These tourists prefer long stays, primarily at 4- and 5-star resorts and hotels,” shared the Anex Vietnam executive.

Meanwhile, Pham Ha, chairman of Lux Group, believed the visa exemption policy will be a key advantage for Vietnam’s inbound tourism industry, particularly at the ITB Berlin 2025 International Tourism Fair in Germany this March.

“The visa exemption policy comes at the perfect time for Vietnam’s tourism industry ahead of the world’s largest international tourism fair ITB Berlin 2025. We have scheduled meetings with businesses from European countries at the fair and will invite familiarization trips (fam trips) from Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic to explore Vietnam’s tourism products. This is a golden opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen its presence in the European market.”

“We must intensify our promotional efforts, particularly in sustainable and responsible tourism, which aligns with the preferences of these travelers. Most visitors from these countries speak German, French, or English, making them a great match for Vietnam’s existing tourism products,” shared Ha.

The visa exemption policy for Polish, Czech, and Swiss tourists is expected to boost Vietnam’s tourism industry, increasing arrivals and revenue, particularly in resort destinations like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Hue. With proactive marketing strategies and enhanced service offerings, Vietnam has a unique opportunity to capture a larger share of the European tourism market.