In a strategic move to stimulate inbound tourism and support economic development, on August 8, 2025, the Vietnamese government has announced an extension of its visa exemption policy. According to Decree 221/2025/ND-CP, from August 15, 2025 through August 14, 2028, citizens from 12 European countries will be eligible for 45-day visa-free entry. The countries included in this initiative are:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
This policy builds on earlier visa waivers granted in 2025. In January, Vietnam waived visa requirements for tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland until December 31, 2025. Then in March, the Government extended visa-free access to citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland for a three-year period ending March 14, 2028.
Additionally, Vietnam has broadened its visa exemption to include state guests, scholars, experts, scientists, professors from foreign institutions, global business leaders, celebrities, renowned artists and athletes, and honorary consuls.
The visa-free expansion complements recent regulatory reforms under Decree 219/2025, which introduced:
- 90-day short-term work missions without triggering full work permit requirements.
- Work permit exemptions for experts in priority sectors such as finance, technology, and innovation.
- Streamlined application processes and reduced documentation burdens for foreign labor.
Together, these policies reflect Vietnam’s commitment to creating a more open, efficient, and globally competitive immigration framework.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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