Faring poorly on an international passport index, Vietnam possesses one of the least powerful passports in the region. Ranking 74^th on the World Economic Forum's Passport Index, Vietnam, together with Cambodia, possesses one of the least powerful passports in Southeast Asia.

Tourism officials have said Southeast Asian countries can attract much more tourists if they work together and ease their immigration and visa policies. Representatives from the tourism ministries of six regional countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam attended a conference in Kien Giang on Sunday. The event coincided with the launch of the 2016 National Tourism Year in the southern province.

HANOI, April 11, 2016 – On April 9, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam approved a plan to issue 12-month, multiple-entry visas to American citizens who travel temporarily for business or tourism. The new reciprocity arrangement, which is expected to enter into force in late May or early June, will benefit American and Vietnamese tourists and business travelers, generating new opportunities for trade, investment and tourism.

There are many types of visas that you may apply for in order to enter Vietnam, and the purpose of your entry will help determine which type of visa you should apply for. This list of visas will explain the primary purpose of each type of visa you may obtain in order to visit Vietnam. The citizens of Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Finland, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belarus are granted unilateral visa-free entry no more than 15 days, after 15 days visa exemption they must leave Vietnam for their home or another country and it takes at least 30 days of waiting since the latest date of Vietnam exit to enter again without Vietnam visa.

Visitors to Vietnam must obtain a visa from one of the Vietnamese embassy, consulate or via agency on arrival unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months. Approval Letter is the legal document approved by the Vietnam Immigration Department to allow foreigners enter into Vietnam and pick up visa at the overseas Vietnamese Embassies or Consulates of Vietnam, or at the international border gates or at the Vietnam’s international airports as Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai and Da Nang airport. Visitors to Vietnam must obtain a visa from one of the Vietnamese embassy, consulate or via agency on arrival unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months

Work permit is issued for foreigners who enter into Vietnam to work in Vietnamese entrepreneurs and foreign companies, constructors or representative offices… presenting in Vietnam. In a new decree (11/2016/ND-CP) implementing the labor code related to foreign nationals working in Vietnam will come into force on April 1, 2016, details new requirements related to the management of foreign nationals working in Vietnam. Whereas it mentioned if a foreigner has been residing in Vietnam, only criminal/good behavior record issued in Vietnam is required for work permit application purposes. Overseas criminal/good behavior record is not needed in such case. Besides, foreigners in specialist and expert positions must supply both a university degree or higher in a field related to their role and evidence of three (3) years post-qualification work experience.