Belgian Citizens to Gain Visa-Free Access to Vietnam
Vietnam to Grant Visa-Free Access to Belgian Citizens for Short-Term Stays
In a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic and tourism ties, Vietnam is preparing to lift visa requirements for Belgian passport holders, allowing them to enter the country visa-free for stays of up to 45 days for tourism purposes.
This development comes following high-level discussions during the recent Belgian state visit to Vietnam, and it marks a significant achievement in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Visa-Free Access Confirmed for Tourism – Longer Stays Still Require a Visa
Under the upcoming visa-exemption scheme, Belgian nationals will be eligible to travel to Vietnam without a visa for short stays of up to 45 days. However, those seeking to enter Vietnam for business, study, work, or longer stays will still need to follow the appropriate visa application procedures based on their purpose of travel.
Belgium’s Role in Negotiating the Agreement
Speaking on the development, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot confirmed that visa-free access for Belgian citizens was one of the key outcomes of the official visit to Vietnam.
“Belgium has long advocated for Vietnam to remove visa barriers for our nationals. These requirements have been a hurdle for Belgian tourists and business travelers,” said Prévot.
While the exact implementation date for the visa exemption is yet to be announced, the Belgian government expects it to take effect soon, following final procedural steps.
Vietnam Already Offers Visa-Free Access to 11 EU/Schengen Countries
Vietnam currently grants visa-free entry for short stays to citizens of 11 EU/Schengen countries:
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Czechia
- Poland
For Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, visa-free access is valid until March 14, 2028. Meanwhile, for Switzerland, Czechia, and Poland, the visa exemption is currently valid only until December 31, 2025, with possible extensions expected.
No Reciprocity Requested—But Vietnam Seeks EU-Level Consideration
Deputy Prime Minister Prévot noted that Vietnam is not requesting reciprocity from Belgium, meaning Vietnamese nationals will still be required to obtain a Schengen visa for entry into the EU, including Belgium.
Nonetheless, Prévot emphasized that Belgium would carefully consider future requests from Vietnam, especially at the EU and international levels, as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation.
Vietnamese Demand for Schengen Visas Remains Strong
According to data from SchengenVisaInfo, Vietnamese nationals filed 103,501 Schengen visa applications in 2023. Of these:
- 90,787 were approved
- 12,510 were rejected
These figures underscore the growing interest among Vietnamese citizens in visiting Europe, despite the existing visa requirements.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s decision to exempt Belgian nationals from visa requirements represents a milestone in EU-Vietnam relations, paving the way for stronger tourism, business, and diplomatic ties. As more European countries advocate for visa-free access, similar agreements could follow, benefiting both regions.
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