From August 15, 2025, visa exemption for citizens of 12 countries entering Vietnam for tourism

(Chinhphu.vn) - The Government has issued Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP on visa exemption under the Tourism Development Stimulus Program for citizens of 12 countries. 

The Resolution clearly states: Visa exemption for citizens of the following countries: Kingdom of Belgium, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Poland, Romania, Republic of Slovakia, Republic of Slovenia and Swiss Confederation with a temporary stay of 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purposes, regardless of passport type, on the basis of meeting all entry conditions as prescribed by Vietnamese law.

The visa exemption policy when entering Vietnam for citizens of the above countries is implemented from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028 under the Tourism Development Stimulus Program.

Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2025 of the Government on visa exemption under the Tourism Development Stimulus Program in 2025 for citizens of the Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic and the Swiss Confederation will expire from August 15, 2025.

The Government also issued Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP regulating the temporary visa exemption for foreigners who are in special need of incentives to serve socio-economic development.

According to Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP, the subjects exempted from visas are foreigners in the following cases:

a) Guests of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Standing Member of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vice President, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy, the State Auditor General, Ministers and equivalents, Secretaries of Provincial Party Committees, Secretaries of Municipal Party Committees, Chairmen of People's Councils, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities;

b) Scholars, experts, scientists, professors of universities and research institutes; chief engineers; high-quality digital technology industry human resources;

c) Investors, leaders of corporations, leaders of large enterprises in the world;

d) People working in the fields of culture, arts, sports, tourism who have a positive influence on the public;

e) Honorary Consuls of Vietnam abroad;

f) Guests of research institutes, universities, colleges, and large enterprises. Based on the proposals of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government, the Government shall decide on the list of research institutes, universities, colleges, and large enterprises that are allowed to invite foreigners;

g) Other cases requiring visa exemption for foreign affairs purposes or to serve socio-economic development shall be decided by the Minister of Public Security based on the proposals of agencies and organizations.

The above subjects are allowed to use special visa exemption cards to enter Vietnam multiple times during the visa exemption period. The visa exemption period shall not exceed 05 years and shall be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport.

Source: Government Newspaper