PM Pham Minh Chinh meets with Jensen Huang during his visit to Vietnam in December 2024. Photo by Manh Quan.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to review visa policies, particularly for traditional partner countries. The directive also suggests expanding visa exemptions for specific groups, including billionaires.
Speaking to Dantri/Dtinews, Hoang Nhan Chinh, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), emphasised that attracting global experts, talents, and billionaires could bring significant benefits to Vietnam.
“If we grant visa exemptions for this group, we will attract top-tier professionals, entrepreneurs, and the wealthy and encourage luxury travellers to visit Vietnam. This move will enhance Vietnam’s global image, positioning the country as an appealing destination for tourism and investment,” Chinh stated.
Apple CEO Tim Cook visits Hanoi in April, 2024. Photo by Manh Quan.
This was evident in billionaire Bill Gates’ visit to Danang in March 2024, significantly boosting the local tourism sector.
According to Agoda statistics, in early 2025, Danang became the most searched destination among American travellers, with a remarkable 1,538 percent increase. This surge far exceeded growth rates recorded for other top global destinations.
Nguyen Duc Hanh, CEO of All Asia Vacation (AAV), agreed that offering visa exemptions to billionaires and high-net-worth individuals is a well-founded policy that should be implemented promptly.
In recent years, Vietnam has gained popularity as a retreat for the ultra-wealthy, welcoming many high-profile visitors in 2024 and early 2025.
“To attract billionaire travellers, we need tailored mechanisms, including visa policies,” Hanh remarked. “Compared to neighbouring countries, Vietnam’s visa regulations remain restrictive.
“For instance, with Visa-on-Arrival, international visitors must obtain prior approval rather than simply applying at the airport, as they can in other countries. Additionally, they face lengthy visa processing times.
“There have been cases where Vietnamese travel agencies had nearly finalised itineraries for high-end clients, only for them to switch to destinations with simpler visa procedures, such as Thailand or Singapore. This is a missed opportunity,” Hanh added.
Two millionaires from the US arrive in Hanoi in February 2025.
However, experts argue that visa exemptions alone are not enough. Vietnam must adopt a comprehensive strategy to attract and retain this exclusive clientele.
The TAB secretary-general stressed that streamlined and attractive visa policies must accompany infrastructure upgrades, service enhancements, and well-crafted promotional campaigns.
Welcoming ultra-wealthy guests requires bespoke, personalised, and highly creative tourism products; mass-market offerings simply won’t suffice.
Furthermore, Vietnam must pursue sustainable tourism, prioritising environmental conservation and avoiding overcrowding.
Despite Vietnam’s appeal, some key destinations suffer from excessive congestion, which can deter affluent travellers. To address this, the country should designate exclusive, high-end travel zones.
In 2024, Vietnam saw an influx of ultra-wealthy visitors. In March, billionaire Bill Gates and his partner spent four days in Danang, enjoying tennis and a secluded resort on the Son Tra Peninsula. In August, an Indian billionaire brought 4,500 employees to visit Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, and Hanoi and personally vacationed with his family in Danang.
