Starting from August 15, electronic visas (e-visa) are extended from 30 to 90 days.

Additionally, citizens of countries unilaterally exempted by Viet Nam from visa requirements see their temporary residence permits increase from 15 to 45 days, and their visa applications and temporary residence extensions are considered as per regulations.

With the open visa policy, opportunities to stimulate tourist spending and keep visitors for longer stays are expanding, and the creation of continuous tours through countries is being revitalised.

The city's tourism industry needs to strengthen promotional activities and add more products to attract more visitors from markets exploiting the new visa policy in the near future. IN PHOTO: International tourists visit the Sun World Ba Na Hills tourist area. Photo: NHAT HA

However, according to travel businesses, in order to exploit customers well from the new visa policy, it takes time for Da Nang tourism industry to reach tourist markets.

According to Ms. Xa Doan Hong Thuy, Director of the 4T Travel Co., Ltd., the Government's loosening of visas as well as new visa policy for some countries is a move to show listening and determination to devote all resources and priorities for the post-pandemic recovery of the tourism industry.

The new visa policy also helps Viet Nam increase its competitiveness on the world tourism map because tourists will have a longer stay in Viet Nam than some countries in the region. International visitors can increase the length of tour when arriving in Viet Nam. Products for international visitors to Viet Nam, especially from distant markets such as Europe and the US, are mostly trans-Vietnamese, so this new policy will benefit both tourism businesses and tourists.

Ms. Hong Thuy said that Da Nang is the tourism centre of Central Viet Nam as it is located among world cultural heritages, and boasts many attractive tourist products. However, the number of direct flights from distant markets to Da Nang is still limited. She, therefore, stressed the necessity for the central coastal city to increase the position of direct tourist pick-up points through promotional activities.

Ms. Thuy suggested Da Nang redefine its key tourist markets, develop new products and establish tourism service supply chains suitable for new customer markets such as Indian and Halal customers.

Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Nam, General Director of the Viet Nam Travelmart JSC, remarked as soon as the Government's new visa policy is issued, tourism businesses immediately announce this information to their partners near and far, especially customer markets benefiting directly from the policy, and receive positive responses from them.

These are quite good signals for businesses exploiting international visitors to Viet Nam in general and Da Nang in particular. The main reason is thought to be that Da Nang's current international tourist markets are mainly Northeast Asia, ASEAN countries and India. Meanwhile, tourists from Western Europe, America and Australia often travel for long days, and to many destinations nationwide or neighbouring countries.

Therefore, the loosened visa policy will be favourable for tourism firms in building and designing suitable tours for customers.

To attract international visitors, the tourism industry needs to develop more unique and attractive products. IN PHOTO: International visitors at the Son Tra Night Market. Photo: NHAT HA

According to Mr. Nguyen Nhu Nam, when Viet Nam's new visa policy is announced, what businesses need to do now is to connect with partners to share about the new policy, promote more about destinations and add more attractive products and diverse services in a bid to compete with other destinations in the region.

He proposed the city to form chains of entertainment, shopping, dining and tourism experience products imbued with local culture, if possible, in order to stimulate tourists’ experience.

According to a spokesperson for the municipal Department of Tourism, in recent times, the city's tourism industry has made great efforts to lure more international visitors to Da Nang. In particular, the city has organised working trips to potential markets such as Japan, India and South Korea in order to promote tourism, as well as connect partners and airlines to open and resume international routes.

In the coming time, the local tourism industry will continue taking part in international tourism fairs and investment promotion seminars in Australia and the Philippines to promote Da Nang tourism to foreign partners.

Reporting by NHAT HA - Translating by M.DUNG