HCM City (VNA) – The search for destinations in Vietnam has increased sharply after a new visa policy was approved by the National Assembly (NA), according to Agoda, a digital travel
platform.
The number of
searches from foreign visitors planning for a long holiday in Vietnam, including
Ho Chi Minh City, rose by 33% within two weeks after the approval of the policy which
extends the validity of tourist e-visas from 30 days to 90 days, and lengthen the duration of visa-free stays from 15 to
45 days for visitors from certain countries.
According
to Agoda, the number of accommodation searches by visitors from France
increased by 72%, followed by the Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany and the US
by 45%, 41%, 40% and 38%, respectively.
In terms of total searches of Vietnam’s destinations, the US took
the lead, surpassing Australia, Canada and Germany.
Agoda’s data analysis focused on long-haul travelers from North
America, the EU, Australia and New Zealand, who have faced stricter visa
restrictions compared to their counterparts in Southeast Asia and the broader
Asia Pacific region. These travelers often endure longer and costlier return
flights, making them more inclined to seek extended vacations compared to those
within a shorter flight radius.
Following the visa policy change, India rose from 8th place to become the 2nd largest
international market for hotel bookings in Vietnam, only behind the Republic of
Korea.
Statistics from HCM City’s Department of Tourism showed that foreign arrivals to
the city reached 2.3 million in the first seven months of this year, equivalent to 47.2% of the 2023 plan. In July alone, the city welcomed 419,100
international travelers, up 45.7% against the same period last year.
Currently, many travel companies in HCM City have provided
information on visa policy changes to partners in key markets such as Europe,
the US and Australia./.