Vietnam turns border policy into a tourism growth engine
Vietnam has approved 41 new e-visa entry and exit checkpoints across airports, land borders, and seaports, taking its total e-visa gateways to 83 nationwide. The move builds on reforms that already allow citizens from all countries and territories to apply for an electronic visa and stay up to 90 days, with single or multiple entries. Together, these steps mark a major Vietnam e-visa expansion, turning a once-limited system into one of the most flexible entry regimes in Southeast Asia. For travellers, it means more ways to arrive, less paperwork, and smoother movement between Vietnam’s coastal cities, border provinces, and emerging tourism hubs.
From pilot project to one of Asia’s most open e-visa regimes
Vietnam’s e-visa journey began cautiously. For several years, only a limited number of nationalities and border gates were eligible. That changed in August 2023, when the government opened e-visas to all countries and territories and extended the maximum stay to 90 days. At that point, there were 42 international checkpoints—covering a mix of airports, land border gates, and seaports—where visitors could use an e-visa.
Even that step had a clear tourism logic. Vietnam wanted to compete more directly with neighbours such as Thailand and Malaysia on ease of access, while still maintaining control through a digital system. The country’s tourism authorities set ambitious visitor targets and began to pitch Vietnam not just as a single-stop beach holiday, but as a deeper multi-city journey.
However, as arrivals recovered after the pandemic, practical bottlenecks remained. Travellers with e-visas often had to route through a small set of busy international airports or particular land crossings. Cruise lines and regional tour operators asked for more flexible seaport options. Northern and central provinces—many with strong cultural or nature assets—also wanted direct access for cross-border visitors rather than relying only on internal flights.
This is the context in which the government issued Resolution 389/NQ-CP in early December 2025, adding 41 more international checkpoints to the e-visa list. The decision was framed not just as an immigration tweak, but as part of Vietnam’s broader tourism and connectivity strategy.
41 new gates across air, land, and sea
The new decision is notable for its spread. Vietnam has:
Added four more airports to the e-visa system, including future hubs such as Long Thanh and Gia Binh, plus Vinh and Chu Lai. These will support both international flights and domestic connections once fully operational.
Approved 11 land border gates, including important crossings linked to China, Laos, and Cambodia. In practice, this means travellers can enter Vietnam directly into northern and central provinces that are rich in heritage, mountain landscapes, and eco-tourism sites.
Added 26 seaports to the list, opening the door for more cruise itineraries, coastal expeditions, and multi-country sea routes. This supports Vietnam’s long coastline strategy, from Ha Long in the north to Da Nang, Nha Trang, and the Mekong Delta in the south.
With these additions, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism is in a stronger position to promote lesser-known destinations because tourists can now arrive closer to where they actually want to travel, instead of funnelling through a handful of big-city gateways.
On the user side, the process remains straightforward. Travellers apply online, upload basic documents, and receive an electronic approval that they present at the chosen border gate. They no longer need to visit embassies or arrange separate approval letters through intermediaries. That simplicity is a key part of Vietnam’s pitch as it competes with other regional destinations for long-stay digital nomads, repeat visitors, and first-time travellers.
Why this e-visa expansion matters now
This Vietnam e-visa expansion is not just a numerical increase from 42 to 83 entry points. It signals a strategic view of tourism as a nationwide growth engine, not only a coastal-city industry.
First, the move makes itineraries more flexible. Travellers can enter by land in the north, move through highland and heritage regions, then exit by sea or air in the centre or south. That supports longer trips and encourages visitors to explore beyond the usual “Hanoi–Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City” triangle.
Second, it helps secondary cities and border provinces plug into global tourism flows. When an international bus, train, or river cruise can use e-visa-enabled border gates, local economies see direct spending in hotels, restaurants, and services instead of relying purely on domestic visitors.
Third, the change underscores Vietnam’s push to become a more digitally enabled travel destination. When border procedures are online, the same infrastructure can support future features such as pre-travel risk checks, smoother transit for frequent visitors, and better data to manage visitor flows during peak seasons.
The timing is also important. Global travellers are more price-sensitive and more flexibility-driven than before the pandemic. Many want to combine several countries in one trip, often mixing flights with overland segments and cruises. By widening its e-visa gateways, Vietnam positions itself as a natural hub in this kind of modular, multi-stop travel.
Toward a more connected, “border-light” Vietnam
Looking ahead, Vietnam’s success will depend on execution at the new checkpoints. Digital systems are only as good as their on-the-ground implementation. That means immigration officers, local infrastructure, and transport links must be ready as new airports and ports come online.
If those pieces fall into place, the benefits could be broad. Airlines may be more willing to test routes into secondary airports if e-visa processing is guaranteed. Cruise operators might design itineraries that dock at newer ports, bringing international visitors into cities that historically saw few foreign guests. Land crossings could become more attractive for cross-border tourism circuits spanning Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and China.
Vietnam’s digital border work also sets a base for deeper regional collaboration. Over time, the country could align parts of its e-visa and arrival systems with those of other ASEAN members, especially as conversations continue around digital travel documents and shared tourism corridors.
There are still open questions. Managing higher tourist numbers will require attention to sustainability, especially in fragile coastal and mountain destinations. Local communities will need support to ensure that increased access leads to inclusive growth, not just pressure on resources. Yet the direction of travel is clear: Vietnam is betting that easier entry, paired with better distribution of visitors, can power the next phase of its tourism story.
83 e-visa gates signal a confident tourism pivot
By adding 41 new e-visa checkpoints and lifting its total to 83, Vietnam has taken one of its most decisive steps yet to welcome the world. The Vietnam e-visa expansion supports national tourism goals, empowers provinces well beyond the main gateways, and positions the country as one of Southeast Asia’s most accessible destinations.
For travellers, the decision translates into real-world gains: more choice, simpler planning, and new ways to experience Vietnam by air, land, and sea. For Vietnam, it marks a shift from cautious visa reform to a confident, digital-first border strategy designed to turn curiosity about the country into booked trips—and repeat visits.
