Vietnam's government has asked the National Assembly to approve broader visa exemptions for tourism markets with high growth potential. The measure is a proposal in a draft resolution, not an enacted policy, and the Assembly is expected to vote on it on 21 November, VnExpress International reported.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh presented the draft to the Assembly on Saturday 7 November on behalf of the prime minister. It covers seven policy groups, including investment incentives, business support, the night-time economy, human resources, visa policy and tourism infrastructure.

What the visa section proposes

The draft would extend bilateral visa exemptions to holders of ordinary passports from key markets that combine growth potential, high spending and convenient air connections. Visa policy would also be tailored to individual markets, with priority for high-spending visitors, long stays, repeat travellers and people combining leisure with business trips, conferences or seminars.

Vietnamese-language coverage of the minister's presentation by Tuoi Tre adds several provisions that matter for people planning longer stays. The draft has 14 articles and would run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2036.

  • A controlled pilot for foreigners who work remotely while in Vietnam.
  • A pilot visa and residence arrangement, matched to purpose and length of stay, for foreigners who come for medical treatment, rehabilitation or long wellness stays, and for the people accompanying them.
  • Easier work permits, visas and temporary residence for foreign experts and artists working on tourism projects.

Where visa policy stands today

Vietnam currently grants visa exemptions to citizens of 39 countries, for stays of 14 to 90 days, according to VnExpress. The reports do not say which markets would be added, and exemptions of this kind are normally set through agreements with individual countries.

The proposal comes as arrivals grow. Vietnam received 19.5 million international visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, up 13.8 percent from a year earlier, and is aiming for 25 million by the end of the year. China, South Korea and Russia are the largest sources of visitors.

Nothing in the draft changes the rules now. If the Assembly approves the resolution on 21 November, the details would still have to be worked out and applied market by market.

Sources

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