Vietnam continues to wobble over lifting visa restrictions for tourists. May-be in May ?

Tourism industry waits for visa breakthrough policies in May
By Xanh Le, Hoang Phong April 1, 2023 | 12:00 am PT
The government said it would propose to the National Assembly, Vietnam's highest legislative body, that it extend the duration of e-visas granted to foreigners entering Vietnam from 30 days to a maximum of three months.

The government proposal also includes extending the duration of stays for tourists from countries enjoying 15-day visa exemptions to 30 days, and providing e-visas to all countries instead of the current 80.

Phan Dinh Hue, director of travel firm Vong Tron Viet, said the current biggest obstacle for the tourism industry is visa restrictions.

If the government proposals are passed at the next National Assembly session, this would be "a turning point" for the tourism industry after a long slowdown, he said.

Hue said Vietnam should follow the example of Thailand and Indonesia and expand visa exemptions for potential tourism markets to boost tourist spending.

While Thailand received over 6 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam only received 2.67 million during the same period.
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/tou ... 87008.html

Inching along. . . . Well, the 15th VN National Assembly is in session as of this morning. There will be two sessions: May 22 - June 10 and June 19 - 23, totalling 22 days for the gabfest

Note the rubber stamp function of the NA: "will review and approve." The law changing the e-visa periods from 30 to 90 days, and 15 to 45 days comes under the Law on Foreigners noted below in bold face. The phrase . . . "residence in Vietnam" is new to me. Maybe there will a surprise or two. The newsiest thing will be the date the visa changes become effective. My wild guess: July 1 -- when the Aussies can put away their insulated bathing trunks and jet to Nha Trang.


From Viet Nam News:

During this session, the National Assembly will review and approve a total of eight laws and three draft resolutions. The eight laws are: the amended Law on Protection of Consumer Rights, the amended Law on Bidding, the amended Law on Price, the amended Law on Electronic Transactions, the amended Law on Cooperatives, the Law on Civil Defence, the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Public Security, the Law on exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens, and the Law on amendments to a number of articles of the Law on Foreigners' entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Việt Nam.