Vietnam has dropped visa requirements for five major European markets in a bid to revive its ailing tourism industry.
Visitors from the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain will not require a visa for stays of up to 15 days beginning July 1, the government said.
Vietnam also offers visa exempt travel for travellers from Scandinavian countries, and Russia, Belarus, Japan and South Korea.
It also provides reciprocal visa free travel for nationals of nine ASEAN countries.
Visitor numbers have plummeted 13% in the first half of 2015, spurring calls from the Vietnam tourism industry to simplify immigration rules.
"The decision will delight the country’s tourism sector and visitors from these countries," Nguyen Van Tuan, director of tourism administration said,
The directive has been welcomed by tour operators as a positive move but some would like to see it extended to 30 days to keep pace with other countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
Government data showed a drop of 7% for arrivals from Europe so far in 2015.
