Visa policies - key to boosting tourism links with RoK, Taiwan
The RoK and Taiwan have long been among Vietnam’s leading sources of international visitors. Arrivals from the two markets have grown steadily, while more Vietnamese are also traveling to these destinations.
Representatives of management agencies and tourism promotion units participate in the discussion at the seminar. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA)🐟 – Visa facilitation was highlighted as a crucial factor in expanding tourism cooperation between Vietnam and two major markets – the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Taiwan (China) – during a seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 23.
The event was jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, Travel Association and Golf Tourism Association, and partners, aiming to strengthen two-way tourism exchanges and support Vietnamese businesses in tapping these important markets.
Nguyen Viet Anh, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Tourism Association, noted that the RoK and Taiwan have long been among Vietnam’s leading sources of international visitors. Arrivals from the two markets have grown steadily, while more Vietnamese are also traveling to these destinations.
He said the seminar provides a timely channel for tourism enterprises to directly engage with officials from the RoK Consulate General and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City to receive updated information on visa regulations and procedures.
According to You Sang Byun from the Visa Section of the RoK Consulate General, visa policy plays a decisive role in attracting visitors. He stressed that the RoK has consistently sought to make it easier for Vietnamese travelers to obtain visas, helping businesses streamline processes and reduce errors.
Similarly, Derek Chou, Chief Representative of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Vietnam, underlined that Taiwan is committed to enhancing cooperation with Vietnam. He said updated visa policies would support joint efforts to promote tourism and encourage the development of new tourism products tailored to diverse customer needs.
Doan Ngoc Thao, Deputy General Director of The Swing Sports Tourism Joint Stock Company, pointed out that golf tourism is thriving, particularly among high-spending visitors from the RoK and Taiwan. Annual growth in this segment has averaged 10–15%, with strong rebounds following the COVID-19 pandemic.
She emphasised that Vietnam’s recent visa reforms including broader exemptions, extended stays and convenient e-visas have been a decisive factor in drawing more golfers, encouraging longer visits and repeat trips.
She added that golf tourism is not only a sport experience but also contributes to enhancing the image of the destination, promoting related services such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation. If Vietnam can maintain or expand favourable visa policies, the country will soon become the leading destination in Asia for golf tourists from the RoK and Taiwan./.
Experts and foreign business leaders have expressed optimism that Vietnam’s recent changes to visa and foreign labour policies will enhance the country’s competitiveness and attract greater investment, while acknowledging that certain challenges remain.
Citizens from 12 countries will be granted visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days in Vietnam for tourism purposes, regardless of their passport types.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
Under the new system, passengers without checked luggage simply check in via VNeID or a kiosk, undergo facial recognition at security, and board by scanning their face. Those with baggage drop it at a counter before entering the same automated flow.
Vietnam values its international partnerships, including with the UK, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang noted, urging UK companies, funds and financial institutions, and those from Europe and worldwide, to continue expanding investment, transferring know-how, sharing management experience and advancing green finance and technology to realise Vietnam’s sustainable development vision.
Vietnamese Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang expressed gratitude for the UK’s active role in supporting Vietnam’s efforts to draft a National Assembly resolution on creating an international financial centre. The City of London, he noted, provided pivotal insights and recommendations to shape the groundwork and development roadmap for this hub.
Vietnam is ready to deepen economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China and other partners, embracing a strategy of “harmonised interests and shared risks” as it leverages its fast-growing economy and market of over 100 million people.
Tay Ninh, Nghe An and Quang Tri provinces have strategic locations and significant cooperation potential, said Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, Minister-Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy, expressing confidence that with creativity and determination, these provinces and their Korean partners will find ample opportunities for productive collaboration.
Jointly organised by the Vinexad National Trade Fair and Advertising JSC and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam, the event features 1,200 booths of more than 650 exhibitors from 20 countries and territories, including Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, and the US.
Public investment should serve as a key driver of growth, acting as seed capital to catalyse and mobilise all social resources, thereby fostering economic expansion, creating jobs and livelihoods, and improving the material and spiritual well-being of the people, PM Pham Minh Chinh stated.
An official of the Foreign Trade Agency laid stress on the foundational role of rules of origin in international trade, highlighting the importance of capacity building for enforcement officers in the context of deep international integration.
Against the backdrop of the growing comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, the promotion and export of Vietnam’s agricultural products not only diversify supply sources for the Russian market but also help enhance the brand values and competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in the market that remains untapped.
International trade is no longer merely an exchange of goods but a strategic lever enabling Vietnamese enterprises to enhance capacity, secure partnerships, and expand globally.
In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s total trade value reached nearly 600 billion USD, up 16.3% year on year. Of this, exports stood at 306 billion USD, a 14.8% increase, already surpassing the full-year target.
Vietnam aims to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation below the target, achieve growth of 8.3-8.5%, ensure major economic balances, surpass budget revenue estimates by 25%, and control public debt, government debt, foreign debt, and budget deficit.
Reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to foreign investors, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang said government policies always aim to ensure transparency, fairness and a mutually beneficial environment that promotes innovation and safeguards investor rights, making Vietnam a sustainable and long-term investment destination.
The State Bank of Vietnam must launch an official gold price information portal, study the establishment of gold exchanges, and issue guiding documents to implement the Government’s decree on the management of gold trading activities.
According to the World Bank Group, Vietnam will need approximately 368 billion USD in investment for climate adaptation and carbon reduction projects by 2040. Yet, as of the end of 2024, green credit accounted for just 4.5% of the country’s total outstanding loans.
Amidst robust digital transformation across all sectors, the food processing industry has tapped such digital technologies as Internet of Things, AI, blockchain and Big Data to optimise production process, control supply chain, and meet consumers’ demands.
The French side pledged to share technical guidelines and safety standards, with the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) ready to provide training for Vietnamese specialists.
Vietnam now has more than 940,000 private enterprises and over 5 million household businesses, contributing approximately 50% of GDP, over 30% of state budget revenue, and employing 82% of the national workforce.
