The resolution, signed August 22 by Party General Secretary and President To Lam, shifts the country’s strategy from sheer visitor volume to maximizing the economic impact of each traveler. It also mandates compulsory travel insurance for international arrivals and paves the way for expanded bilateral visa exemptions based on market-specific considerations.
Vietnam Tourism Visa Strategy
The new framework specifically targets foreign visitors who spend more and stay longer. While the resolution does not yet specify the financial thresholds or a launch timeline for the preferential visas tier, it identifies the target group as those capable of contributing highly to Vietnam tourism development. Entry and exit policies will be eased market by market, provided they align with defense and national security considerations. The government will also pilot controlled mechanisms to attract remote workers and long-stay visitors.
Travelers will soon need compulsory insurance to enter the country. Meanwhile, procedures for sightseeing and staying in border and island areas will be simplified to encourage regional exploration and distribute tourist traffic beyond major cities.
Vietnam Tourism Revenue Goals
Vietnam aims to make tourism a cornerstone of its economy. By 2030, the sector should contribute 10-12% directly to the national GDP, supported by 45-50 million foreign visitors and 160 million domestic trips. Total tourism revenue is targeted at $80-90 billion. To support this growth, the country plans to develop 10 key tourism hubs, 20 national tourism areas, and roughly 1.5 million tourist accommodation rooms. The initiative is expected to generate 2.3 million direct and 3.5 million indirect jobs.
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are designated as the three primary growth poles. Additionally, Phu Quoc is slated to become a new high-end beach resort hub capable of competing internationally and drawing major global events. Looking ahead to 2045, Vietnam targets 70 million international arrivals, a direct GDP contribution of 14-15%, and a top 30 global ranking for tourism competitiveness.
Vietnam drew a record 21.2 million foreign visitors in 2025, up 20.4% from the previous year, according to the National Statistics Office. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism is aiming for 25 million arrivals this year. However, the country ranked 59th out of 119 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, down from 52nd in 2021, highlighting the need for strategic upgrades.
Shopping and Entertainment Hubs
To increase spending per trip, Vietnam is studying wider value-added tax refunds at shopping malls and major tourism hubs. Duty-free stores, night markets, and international-standard outlet centers will be developed at airports, seaports, and border gates to capture traveler spending.
The country also plans to keep multi-service tourism hubs operating around the clock. These complexes will combine performing arts venues, concert spaces, festival streets, and large integrated entertainment areas. Outside urban areas, developments will focus on tourism, culture, sport, and wellness, carefully aligned with surrounding landscapes.
Promotion and Transport Upgrades
Vietnam will consolidate its international promotion under a single national framework, concentrating campaigns on high-spending markets rather than spreading resources thin. A network of digital tourism ambassadors, including influencers and local experts, will promote destinations in the language of each target market.
The government will deploy big data and artificial intelligence to analyze traveler demand and track feedback. A multilingual national tourism database will supply consistent media materials and counter content that damages the destination’s reputation. Vocational training institutions will also be upgraded to address gaps in professional skills, foreign languages, and technology use.
On the infrastructure front, transport networks will link international gateways to key economic regions across roads, aviation, rail, and waterways. Coastal areas will see port upgrades to accommodate large cruise ships, positioning Vietnam as a significant stop on Asia-Pacific cruise itineraries.
What Happens Next
The immediate next step for Vietnamese authorities is defining the exact spending thresholds and benefits for the preferential visas category. Until those metrics are published, travel operators and international visitors will be watching closely to see how the policy compares to regional rivals like Thailand and Indonesia.
Mandatory travel insurance requirements will also require clear implementation guidelines before enforcement begins. If successful, the shift toward high-yield tourism, combined with 24/7 entertainment hubs and expanded tax refunds, could fundamentally alter Vietnam’s appeal. By pivoting away from sheer volume and focusing on high-spending foreign visitors, Vietnam tourism aims to solidify its standing as a premium destination capable of hitting its ambitious $90 billion tourism revenue target by 2030.
— Elena Petrov, travel desk, AXO News