VOV.VN - Vietnam currently applies unilateral visa exemption for 13 countries, which are key tourist areas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said at the Q&A session of the 31st National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee held on March 18 in Hanoi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the Q&A session

NA deputy Ta Thi Yen, vice head of the NA Delegate Affairs Commission of the NA Standing Committee, emphasized that the nation has become a developing country after previously being a war-torn, poor, and backward nation.

In 2023, the country recorded an average per capita income and a GDP of about US$433.3 billion, thereby ranking fifth in the ASEAN region, 35th in the world, whilst being the third most populous country in ASEAN and 15th in the world.

In recent years, Vietnam has consistently proven to be a favourite destination among tourists. The nation has thereby unilaterally or signed visa exemption agreements with a number of countries with a view to offering optimal conditions for attracting tourism and facilitating foreign investment in the country.

Furthermore, there remains a large number of Vietnamese people going abroad to work and travel. However, quite a few countries exempt Vietnamese citizens from visas and applying for visas of Vietnamese citizens still faces plenty of difficulties and complications.

Minister Son emphasised that amid the current trend of deep international integration, not only citizens from other countries coming to Vietnam, but Vietnamese citizens also have a great need to go abroad to do business and for tourism purposes.

With its responsibility, the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs has implemented three important measures aimed at promoting international exchanges, with a focus on co-ordinating with ministries and sectors to simplify immigration procedures.

Recently, the National Assembly (NA) passed the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreign Citizens in Vietnam. In particular, it has created many advantages, including expanding the length of stay in Vietnam whilst increasing the issuance of tourist visas, Minister Son continued.

In line with this, the Ministry has co-ordinated efforts with ministries and agencies to negotiate with countries to apply bilateral visa exemption with 15 countries. It is also in the process of negotiating with 80 countries on bilateral visa exemption and reciprocity on diplomatic and official passports.

According to the Government's direction, the Ministry will continue to negotiate and sign bilateral visa exemptions in order to create suitable conditions for foreign citizens to enter Vietnam, Minister Son added.

Also at the session, the Vietnamese diplomat responded to questions regarding legal violations committed by both Vietnamese citizens abroad and foreign nationals in Vietnam.

Minister Son presented a report regarding his ministry’s response to these issues, underlining that based on information from relevant agencies, the Ministry has acted swiftly to facilitate consular visits and contacts initiated by foreign countries. This thereby ensures that foreign embassies and consulates can effectively perform their duties in protecting their citizens in the country.

Last year, the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced 285 cases involving foreigners, with charges primarily including trafficking of drugs, fraudulent appropriation of property, deliberate injury, and murder. Notably, a total of 70 foreign nationals were given prison terms in Vietnam, while 108 others completed their sentences.

The Ministry also facilitated 414 consular visits and contacts and granted consent for an additional 337 such interactions.

The report further detailed administrative violations committed by foreigners from Da Nang to Ca Mau. These violations totaled 304, with illegal entry being the most prevalent offence, standing at 113 cases. There were 92 cases of foreigners overstaying their temporary residence permits, 60 of online fraud not yet reaching the level for criminal prosecution, 16 of illegal drug use, 13 of theft, and five of robbery.

Since the beginning of this year, the ministry has reported 37 new cases involving foreign nationals undergoing prosecution, detention, or trial. Furthermore, 20 foreign nationals commenced prison sentences in the nation, while 13 others finalized their terms.

The ministry's efforts in facilitating consular visits and contacts continues this year, with 65 arrangements made and consent granted for 77 more cases.

Whilst matters involving foreign nationals must be dealt with according to international law and Vietnamese law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for notifying foreign parties when their citizens are detained or serving prison sentences due to violations of Vietnamese law, thus enabling foreign parties to carry out citizen protection measures.

At the request of the foreign side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to co-ordinate with competent agencies to allow foreign representative agencies to conduct consular visits to their country’s citizens who are being detained.