The policy, effective from March 1, 2025, applies to visitors traveling on package tours organized by “Vietnamese international tour operators.”

Martin Koerner, group commercial director of The Anam, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said the visa waiver would positively impact the tourism industry by encouraging package tours.

“We anticipate an increase in tourists from these countries traveling under organized itineraries. To fully realize the policy’s potential, Vietnam must promote its tourism offerings in these markets through targeted marketing campaigns.”

Dr. Nuno F. Ribeiro, senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT Vietnam, said: “Over the past year Vietnam has implemented several visa-related reforms with positive outcomes. Expanding the list of visa-exempt countries to include Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland aligns with these efforts and will likely attract more European travelers.”

European tourists have become a key focus for Vietnam in the post-Covid era.

It waives visas for citizens from 13 countries that include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the U.K., Russia, Japan, South Korea, and several Nordic nations for stays of up to 45 days.

But the new policy favors organized travel and not so much independent travelers.

Koerner pointed out that many tourists prefer booking vacations independently on online platforms or making spontaneous travel decisions, which potentially limits the new policy’s overall effectiveness.

“To maximize the impact, Vietnam should consider extending visa exemptions to all travelers from these countries, similar to the policies in place for Germany and the U.K.”

Ribeiro also pointed out the need for greater clarity in the policy, particularly the definition of “international tour operators.”

“The policy should aim to benefit as many operators and travelers as possible to achieve its full potential.”

Vietnam received 17.58 million foreign tourists in 2024, marking a 39.5% increase from the previous year and representing 97.6% of pre-Covid levels.

The country hopes to attract 23 million visitors in 2025, bolstered by its visa reforms and continued marketing efforts.