ASEAN’s common visa can give Vietnam an edge in attracting international tourists

July 24, 2024

HANOI – As 2024 reaches its midpoint, a bustling tourist season is unfolding worldwide, with many countries easing entry policies to attract more international visitors. Amid this global trend, a promising development is the proposed implementation of a common visa for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. This initiative has generated considerable discussion, especially regarding its potential impact on Việt Nam. The benefits of such an agreement could be substantial, influencing Việt Nam’s economy, tourism industry, and diplomatic relationships not only within ASEAN but also with countries beyond the region.

The Southeast Asia Common Visa is a common visa initiative currently being proposed by Thailand that at present involves six ASEAN countries: Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Việt Nam. It aims to streamline visa regulations and create a single visa for these countries. This initiative is part of the broader trend of cooperation and integration within ASEAN, as outlined in the ASEAN Future Forum that took place in Hà Nội last April. In its essence, the proposed common visa would allow a foreign national to visit all six countries with a single visa, allowing for mobility within these countries for the duration of the visa.

Since 1996, ASEAN countries have been collaborating on immigration and consular matters, formalised by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Cooperation on Immigration Matters in 2000. Significant achievements include the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption adopted in 2016, which allows citizens of ASEAN Member States holding valid national passports to stay visa-free within ASEAN countries for up to 14 days. Additionally, the ASEAN Lane,