On 3 May, the Ho Chi Minh Travel Association (HTA) sent a proposal to Central Ministries and Sectors on visa exemption policy applied to 7 countries including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia and Finland. HTA proposed not to withdraw the policy because this is the trend of the world which helps remove travel barrier, stimulate tourists to Vietnam.
Since the policy was announced in 2011, the number of tourists from 7 countries to Vietnam rises 7 to 11 times in comparison with 2004. These are also long stay markets (from 6 to 14 days) with high level of expenditure of over USD 100/person/day.
In addition, HTA also proposed to extend period of stay to some special international tourists, expand the visa exemption list.