The leaders of Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to pilot a plan for a new entry system that would allow visitors to get one visa and pass into six countries in Asia.
The six ASEAN countries involved—Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam—would allow a visitor to get one visa and then travel freely to the other five countries without having to get separate visas for each.
It would be similar to the visa system used for the Schengen countries.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos, last week. The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in potential spheres such as tourism.
The decision was made to call the system “Six Countries, One Destination.”
The common visa was discussed as early as before the pandemic—it could potentially boost regional tourism—but until recently, the idea hadn’t gotten very far.
The concept still might not make it off the ground. There are several social/political issues to iron out, not the least of which is the different ways each country proceeds with immigration in their respective countries. But if they can find some common ground, it could make travel to Asia easier in the not-too-distant future.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
4 comments
Myanmar? Aren’t they in the middle of a civil war?
Indeed. Have to get those freelance rebels and government mercenaries in somehow!
Its actually fascinating to see them stand up that guerilla army with no support – the 3d printed guns and and drones are super interesting
Americans don’t need visa for Thailand or Malaysia so it would effectively be a 4 country visa, if implemented. It would be Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Comment redacted by YMMV to remove portion(s) that is/are against YMMV’s requirements for approval
The program would not just be for Americans.