Vietnam considers 10-year ‘golden visa’ to stay ahead in Southeast Asia’s tourism race

Vietnam’s Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has proposed a long-term visa program to the government to maintain its lead in Southeast Asia’s fast-evolving travel market. The recommendations, submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, include a “golden visa” valid for five to ten years to compete with Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia—countries that already offer such schemes to long-stay travellers, Báo Văn Hóa reported.

The proposal comes at a time when Vietnam has regained 98% of its pre-pandemic tourism levels, making it the fastest-recovering destination in the region. In 2024, the country welcomed 17.5 million international visitors, overtaking Singapore and trailing only Malaysia and Thailand.

The advisory board also suggested introducing a 10-year investor visa with the possibility of permanent residency after five years, and a five-year talent visa with a simplified renewal process, as reported by Thanh Nien newspaper. These programs could be piloted in key tourism hubs like Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.


During a government meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Chinh asked ministries to explore ways to improve visa policies to support tourism growth. "Vietnam must remain an open and safe destination," he said.

Vietnam’s tourism momentum has been driven by multiple factors. New visa reforms in 2023 extended the e-visa duration to 90 days and expanded the list of visa-exempt countries. The first direct US-Vietnam flight and investments in high-end hospitality—from Capella Hanoi to upcoming Ritz-Carlton properties—have added to its global appeal.

A major growth segment for Vietnam is Indian tourism. Over 500,000 Indian visitors arrived in 2024, marking a 297% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Da Nang alone welcomed 222,000 Indian travellers this year, accounting for over 5% of total international arrivals. Phu Quoc and Ha Long are becoming popular wedding destinations for Indian families.

“There is a lot of potential for tourism from India to Vietnam due to a very high population of India. The two countries have a very strong bilateral relationship. We value tourists from India, the number of which is increasing,” said Vietnamese Consul General Le Quang Bien during his visit to India.

Vietnam’s low-cost airline Vietjet is also promoting this momentum by offering fares starting from ₹11 on multiple India-Vietnam routes.

Meanwhile, Chinese tourists are also shifting attention to Vietnam, amid rising safety concerns in other countries in the region. The kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Thailand has influenced Chinese travel preferences, leading more high-spending visitors to explore Vietnam instead.

With its tourism infrastructure expanding, including the upcoming Long Thanh International Airport by March 2026, Vietnam is targeting 23 million international arrivals in 2025. If current growth continues, it aims to surpass Malaysia and become Southeast Asia’s second-most-visited country after Thailand.