Vietnam welcomed 71.8 million visitors in the first seven months of 2022, exceeding the annual target. There were only 954,600 international arrivals, however, or just 15 per cent of the targeted 5 million for the year. One solution to increase international tourist numbers is to apply multiple entry and exit visas valid for 30 days, instead of 15 days as currently.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has approved a pilot plan to restore regular international flights from January 1 to and from destinations with a high Covid safety index. The move will also promote Vietnam’s economic recovery and tourism sector and not let the country fall behind others in the region.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is planning to restore transport on road, railway, waterway, maritime, and airway routes once localities loosen pandemic control regulations.

Industry analysts have forecast that the domestic aviation sector will recover to pre-pandemic levels next year, with international aviation fully restored by 2023. Private carriers have proven more resilient, from a more positive financial situation. According to Vietnam’s aviation plan, the country will have 28 airports by 2030, including 15 domestic airports and 13 international airports.