The Thai government is gearing up for its "Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025", with events and special privileges planned to attract more visitors.

The Lao Ministry of Public Security has announced the implementation of the relaxed visa policy to attract international arrivals and unlock the tourism potential through its “Visit Laos 2024” programme.

As Vietnam is looking for ways to lure more international visitors, an “open door” visa policy is seen as a lever that helps the country reach its set target, according to insiders.

Vietnam’s total retail sales of consumer goods and services during January-May increased 8.7% year-on-year to top 2.58 quadrillion VND (101.3 billion USD), according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau (China) Pham Binh Dam has suggested the authority of the Macau Special Administrative Region take measures to resume and expand two-way tourism, including relaxing visa policies for Vietnamese visitors.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with the Vietnamese Embassy staff and the Vietnamese community in New Zealand on March 10 as part of his official trip to the country.

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) targets 2.4 billion MYR (about 500 million USD) in revenue from health tourism this year.

An easing of the visa policy for Vietnamese citizens by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China from October 25 is one of the highlight's in the relations between the two sides in 2023.

The lists of top 10 reputable tourism companies and top five reputable hotels and resorts in Vietnam were unveiled by Vietnam Report JSC on December 14.

The port complex of Cai Mep - Thi Vai in Ba Ria - Vung Tau continually welcomed international cruise ships with thousands of tourists over the past months, a sign of cruise tourism recovery in this southern province and Vietnam at large.

The relaxed visa policy by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) for Vietnamese citizens will open a new period of bilateral partnership, stated Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong Pham Binh Dam.

Effective from August 15, regular passport holders in certain countries will be exempt from visa requirements for stays in Vietnam of 45 days instead of 15 days. Foreign travellers can enter and exit under an e-visa an unlimited number of times within a 90-day period.

The Government’s proposal to loosen the visa policy to foreigners is expected to untangle a knot in the tourism sector, facilitating international arrivals and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism, according to insiders.

One year after the government opened its doors to international tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic, the recovery of air travelers has not yet reached expectations.

A key for Vietnam to attract more foreign tourists at this time is to change its visa policy, according to the Tourism Advisory Board.

The return of Chinese tourists, along with domestic efforts, is expected to revive the smokeless industry in the Year of the Cat.

Vietnam’s visa policy is favourable and will continue to be reformed to facilitate foreigners’ entry, an official of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has said.

Hospitality providers in Hanoi’s Old Quarter have been gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 15, most of them have so far been brought back to life.

Vietnam’s visa policy should be more open to lure international tourists, insiders have said.

Vietnam dropped COVID-19 test requirements for visitors entering the country from May 15, a move expected to boost the recovery of the country’s tourism industry.