With the rapid post-COVID-19 recovery in global tourism, the Southeast Asia Joint Visa: Six Countries – One Destination initiative presents a promising opportunity to boost regional tourism. This joint visa would allow international travelers to enter six Southeast Asian countries – Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar – using only one visa. The unified visa is expected to simplify travel procedures, encourage multi-country tours, and open fresh opportunities for travel businesses across Southeast Asia.

A background

Post-COVID-19 data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) highlights a strong recovery in global tourism. In the first seven months of 2024, international tourist arrivals reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels, with 790 million travelers worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region, including countries like Vietnam and Thailand, tourism levels have reached 82% of pre-pandemic levels by Q1 2024, highlighting the growing demand for travel to culturally rich and scenic destinations in Southeast Asia.

A group of Indian travelers visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex in Hanoi, Vietnam. Source: 365 Travel

However, complex visa requirements remain a barrier for tourists who wish to explore multiple Southeast Asian countries in a single trip. Addressing this issue and enhancing regional competitiveness against markets like the EU, the idea of a shared visa for six Southeast Asian nations – similar to Europe’s Schengen visa – was first proposed by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in 2023 in a discussion with governments from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The initiative focuses on creating a single visa, allowing international travelers to visit all six countries without needing separate visa applications. 

At a meeting on October 9 on the sidelines of the 44th-45th ASEAN Summit in Laos, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra agreed to collaborate with relevant nations to pilot the initiative to boost tourism in the region.

Vietnamese Prime Minister & Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summit. Source: VNA 

Benefits of the joint visa Southeast Asia for travelers and tourism

Saving time and reducing costs

The joint visa initiative for the six nations – Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar can significantly reduce both time and costs for international travelers. According to the European Union, the Schengen visa system has lowered visa costs by around 30% for non-EU travelers. This successful approach shows that a shared visa for Southeast Asia could offer similar advantages, making it easier and more attractive for travelers worldwide to explore the region. They could avoid the hassle and expense of applying for multiple visas with a single visa application.

Boosting multi-destination tourism 

Travelers visiting Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Source: 365 Travel

The 2023 Expedia Traveler Value Index indicates growing demand for extended stays and multi-country travel. It shows that more travelers now prioritize maximizing their experiences by visiting multiple destinations in one journey. This trend is especially prevalent in regions with solid connectivity and streamlined travel options, similar to the Schengen Area. A shared visa for six Southeast Asian countries would further support this trend, simplifying logistics and boosting tourism for multi-destination visits and positively contributing to Southeast Asia’s economy.

Challenges facing the joint visa Southeast Asia initiative

Differences in entry policies and national security

Each country has its regulations for entry permits, security standards, and immigration controls to protect national security, safeguard citizens, and prevent issues like illegal immigration and cross-border crime. Countries like Vietnam and Thailand have unique visa requirements and entry policies for travelers outside of ASEAN. Therefore, creating a joint visa system would require governments and relevant stakeholders to discuss and agree on a shared policy framework. However, coordinating a standard entry policy also requires each country to align on security standards and border control practices.

Passengers at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC, Vietnam. Source: 365 Travel

Managing a joint visa system for six countries

Establishing a joint visa system would necessitate close collaboration among the six nations on technology and management processes, given each country’s unique databases and border control systems. To make a joint visa possible, each country must invest in new technology to link and share data on travelers. This process would take time and money, requiring upgrades to current systems and reliable ways for countries to share information securely. The Schengen visa in Europe shows how complex this can be. It took the EU decades to create a joint data system and standard security measures across member countries. Developing a strong, shared security system was crucial.

Opportunities for travel companies

The joint visa presents substantial growth potential for travel companies, especially those specializing in multi-destination tours. Simplified visa requirements allow companies to offer flexible, cross-border tour packages that meet the evolving needs of international tourists. This streamlined access enables travel agencies to tap into the increasing demand for multi-destination trips, creating a more connected and profitable regional tourism industry.

Cindy Nguyen, CEO of 365 Travel, shared her thoughts on the new joint visa initiative, “If the new visa policy is approved, it would be a fantastic opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism sector and a welcomed change for DMCs like ours”. Currently, Vietnam allows visa-free entry for citizens of 25 countries, while Malaysia permits this for 162 countries and Thailand for 93. However, Vietnam’s visa requirements are more complicated than Thailand’s and Malaysia’s. Most clients typically spend one week exploring Vietnam and then extend their trip to nearby countries. This new initiative would simplify the visa procedures, saving time and costs. More visitors, especially clients from long-haul distances, will consider extending their holiday to multiple countries instead of limiting their trip to just one or two.