Tan Son Nhat International Airport put automatic entry systems (Autogate) into operation in early August. (Photo: vnexpress.net)HCMCity (VNA) - The e-visa policy, which took effect from August15, is expected to help Vietnam attract a hike in the number ofinternational visitors right in the autumn-winter tourist season of 2023, saidDo Van Hao, Deputy Chief of Police at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HoChi Minh City.
According to Hao, the resolution issued by theGovernment on August 14 on granting e-visas to citizens of all countries andterritories represents a breakthrough and reaffirms the VietnameseGovernment's commitment to continuing the policy of openness to foreigners,creating favourable conditions in terms of visa, entry and exit procedures forthem, especially those visiting Vietnam for the purposes of working,investment, and tourism.
The number of foreign visitors, especially those from Europeand the Americas, is projected to increase sharply after the Autumn-Wintertourist season starts (from late September to early October), Hao said.
At a security check desk in Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Photo: VNA)Tan Son Nhat International Airport put automatic entry systems (Autogate) into operation in early August, helping reduce the time for security check to about 30-40seconds per passenger, the official noted.
However, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi AnhHoa said a survey conducted by the agency at travel agencies found that there hasn't been a significant change in tourist numbers to Vietnam followingthe implementation of the new e-visa policy.
Statistics reported by local hotels show that the number of roomreservations for September reached around 70% of the total capacity.
Strong growth is expected in both international and domesticvisitors during September and towards the end of the year, Hoa said.
Sharing Hoa’s opinion, General Director of Viet TourismCommunication JSC Pham Phuong Anh predicted that the new e-visa policy may increasethe number of international tourism arrivals to Vietnam served by the company by2-25% per year.
According to the Government’s decision,foreigners using e-visas are permitted to enter or exit Vietnam via 13 airborder gates, 16 land border gates, and 13 sea border gates./.
