Cruise ship Celebrity Solstice arrived at Ha Long Port last week, bringing 3,000 international visitors to Quang Ninh province. Saigon Port in Ho Chi Minh City also welcomed 1,100 international visitors aboard the cruise ship Azamara Pursuit. Meanwhile, four river cruises with 200 international tourists onboard embarked on a journey to explore the Mekong Delta.

Visa waiver policy – good news for tourism industry

These international tourist groups were all received and served by Saigontourist Travel Service Company, according to Nguyen Thanh Luu, general director of Saigontourist.

This represents a positive signal for the tourism industry, especially as the Government has recently decided to grant visa exemptions to citizens of 12 countries for another three years, starting on March 15. The visa waiver policy is applicable to visitors from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

The Government also issued Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP earlier this year, granting visa exemptions as part of a tourism stimulus programme for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. The policy is effective from March 1 to December 31, 2025.

The Prime Minister, in a recent telegram, also requested relevant ministries consider easing visas for high-end travelers to further facilitate tourism development, increase competitiveness, and attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam. This proposal must be submitted to the Government in March.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son, a standing member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Social Affairs, stated that easing the visa policy would provide a positive boost for the tourism industry overall, especially as it is experiencing a strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This not only helps to increase the number of international visitors, but also drives the growth of related sectors such as aviation, hospitality, restaurants, and local services, he noted.

In addition, he outlined that attracting more tourists from new and potential markets could help Vietnam to reduce its dependence on traditional markets like China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, thereby diversifying revenue sources.

Even more encouraging is that the 12 newly visa-exempt markets from March 15, along with the three markets granted visa exemptions from March 1, consist of high-end travelers who prioritise premium resort experiences and unique cultural activities. Many business leaders therefore hoped that this policy would create opportunities for further trade co-operation and investment in the near future.

“This is an opportunity for the tourism industry to enhance revenue growth rather than just striving to increase the number of visitors,” said Le Cong Nang, chairman of the Board of Directors of WonderTour.

For Lux Group that specialises in high-end tourism, Pham Ha, chairman and CEO of Lux Group, emphasised that attracting wealthy European travelers would have a significant impact and create strong ripple effects on destinations. However, he reiterated that this high-spending clientele has stringent demands, posing challenges for businesses, localities, and tourist spots.

To make the most of this opportunity, the CEO stressed that businesses and destinations must invest in developing unique, in-depth experiences, such as cultural heritage exploration tours.

Teaming up to leverage the golden opportunity

Along with the positive signals recorded in terms attracting international visitors, partnerships among major tourism enterprises are expected to enhance destination promotion whilst contributing to achieving the goal of welcoming 22 - 23 million foreign tourists this year.

On March 12, Sun World, an entertainment complex system under Sun Group, and Saigontourist signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement for 2025. This partnership aims to deliver high-quality tourism products, boost promotional efforts, and enhance the experience for both domestic and international visitors.

This collaboration is expected to introduce unique tour products and marketing campaigns to elevate the image of Vietnamese tourism globally.

Pham Quoc Quan, a board member of Sun Group, emphasised that the potential cooperation between Sun World and Saigontourist would serve as a catalyst for strengthening Vietnam’s tourism brand by diversifying visitor experiences.

This year, Sun World and Saigontourist plan to launch a special campaign which highlights five of the country’s top destinations, namely Fansipan Peak, Cat Ba World Natural Heritage Site, Da Nang - the international festival city, Phu Quoc - the pristine island paradise, and Tay Ninh - the sacred cultural land.

Nguyen Thanh Luu, general director of Saigontourist, said that strategic partnerships help to expand tourism offerings, enhance visitor experiences, and elevate the position of Vietnamese tourism. Instead of competing, businesses should collaborate to promote the country and its people, thereby increasing the industry’s competitiveness.

Recently, Sun World also partnered with Vietravel in a multi-channel promotional campaign targeting both domestic and international tourists. The two firms are organising promotional programmes, roadshows, and familiarisation trips (famtrips) to showcase new experiences at Sun World’s entertainment complexes.

In a bid to attract high-end tourists, Le Cong Nang, chairman of WonderTour, said he believes that Vietnam needs a dedicated marketing and communication strategy for this segment. Additionally, it can be viewed as essential to develop exclusive, personalised high-end tourism experiences.

To achieve the goal, he said, Vietnam must offer private and exclusive tours to unique locations; expert-led guided experiences for a deeper understanding of culture and history; and cultural and artistic events, along with fine dining experiences curated by renowned chefs.

Moreover, he suggested, that the country should provide a combination of luxury resort stays with cultural exploration, eco-tourism, and nature conservation, along with customised high-end tours focusing on privacy, comfort, and tailor-made services.

By implementing these strategies, Vietnam can work to establish itself as a top-tier luxury travel destination and compete with renowned global markets in this segment, he said.

Vietnam considers easing visa policy for high-end travellers

VOV.VN - The Prime Minister, in a recent telegram, requested relevant ministries to consider easing visas for high-end travellers to facilitate tourism development, increase the competitiveness and attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam.