Vietnam Eyes Golden Visa to Boost Tourism to 23 Million Visitors in 2025

Vietnam Eyes “Golden Visa” to Reach 23-Million Tourist Goal in 2025

As Vietnam sets its sights on a record-breaking 23 million foreign visitors in 2025, the government is considering bold new visa reforms to help reach this ambitious target — including the introduction of a long-term “Golden Visa” to rival regional competitors.

With inbound tourism numbers climbing rapidly and more Chinese travelers now choosing Vietnam over Thailand, policymakers are doubling down on strategic visa incentives to keep the momentum going.

Golden Visa Proposal Targets High-Value Visitors

In a directive issued this week, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for more flexible, convenient, and long-term visa policies. The proposed measures include:

• Short-term visa exemptions

• Simplified approval procedures

• Special visas for investors, scientists, artists, researchers, and billionaires

The country’s Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) is also recommending the rollout of a tiered “Golden Visa” program with three categories:

• 5–10-year Golden Visa for long-term residents

• 10-year Investor Visa leading to permanent residency after five years

• 5-year Talent Visa with streamlined renewals for skilled professionals

To test the program’s viability, the TAB has suggested piloting it in major destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc before launching nationwide.

Regional Competition Heats Up

Vietnam’s visa reform proposal comes amid growing competition from neighboring countries. While Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors in 2024, countries like Thailand and Malaysia are rapidly approaching pre-pandemic levels:

• Thailand is just 12% short of its 40 million tourist target

• Malaysia is 4% away from its 26.1 million goal

Vietnam currently offers visa-free entry to only 30 countries, significantly fewer than Thailand (93) and Malaysia (158). Recent efforts to bridge the gap include:

• 45-day visa-free stays for travelers from Poland, Switzerland, and Czech Republic

• Extended exemptions for 12 key markets, including South Korea and Japan, until 2028

Still, TAB warns that Vietnam's existing visa framework remains less competitive than Southeast Asian peers.

Learning from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore

Southeast Asia is rapidly evolving into a long-stay-friendly region. Vietnam’s neighbors have already rolled out permanent or semi-permanent visa solutions:

• Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR): Offers 10-year stays, tax breaks, and property rights

• Malaysia’s “My Second Home” program: Promotes residency through investment

• Singapore’s EntrePass and Global Investor Program: Target entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals

Vietnam hopes to emulate these models, but success will also depend on aligning visa reform with stronger tourism promotion budgets.

Underfunded Promotion May Hinder Growth

TAB has raised red flags about the lack of dedicated funding for international tourism marketing. According to the board:

“Vietnam’s overseas tourism promotion budget is less than $8 million USD, and the only international campaign was funded by the private sector — now suspended due to a lack of government support.”

In comparison, countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore are making sizable investments to attract foreign visitors, strengthening their international branding and tourism outreach.

Record First Quarter and Chinese Tourist Surge

Despite these structural challenges, recent visa extensions appear to be paying off.

• Vietnam welcomed over 6 million international arrivals in Q1 2025 — its highest quarterly total on record

• This represents a 30% increase over the same period in 2024

• Chinese tourists led the surge with 1.6 million arrivals, surpassing Thailand’s 1.3 million

Economic uncertainty, evolving travel habits, and safety concerns in Thailand have likely contributed to this shift.

Vietnam also recorded significant gains from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Cambodia, and the Philippines — all pivotal markets in its long-term tourism strategy.

Vietnam's ambitious 2025 tourism target may well depend on how quickly and effectively it implements these new visa strategies. With the right mix of policy innovation and international outreach, the country could not only attract record visitor numbers but also secure its place as Southeast Asia’s next long-term tourism hub.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for more updates on Vietnam’s evolving tourism landscape and regional travel trends.