Starting August 15, 2025, citizens of Luxembourg will be able to visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days, thanks to a new policy aimed at boosting tourism and cultural exchange. The exemption will remain in effect until August 14, 2028, under Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, issued by the Vietnamese government on August 8, 2025. What the New Rule Means for Luxembourg Travelers Under the new arrangement, Luxembourgers can enter Vietnam without applying for a visa in advance, whether holding an ordinary, diplomatic, or service passport. The 45-day limit applies to tourism stays and is designed to encourage longer visits and deeper engagement with Vietnam’s culture, heritage, and landscapes. Part of a Broader Tourism Push The policy is part of Vietnam’s strategy to attract more visitors from Europe and beyond. Alongside Luxembourg, 11 other European countries are included in the new visa-free program. Vietnam’s tourism industry has already seen significant growth in 2025, with over 12 million international visitors in the first seven months—a 22.5% increase compared to last year. A Win for Travel Enthusiasts For Luxembourg residents, the change means simpler planning and reduced travel costs, opening the door to explore destinations such as Hạ Long Bay, Hội An, and Hồ Chí Minh City without visa constraints. Travel agencies expect the move to boost demand for Southeast Asian packages from Luxembourg. Other Key Details Part of a Larger Visa-Free Expansion Alongside Luxembourg, Vietnam has extended the same 45-day visa exemption to 11 other European nations: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. Tourism Growth in Vietnam In the first seven months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed 12.23 million international tourists, a 22.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Officials expect the new visa policy to boost these numbers even further. Travel Benefits for Luxembourgers The policy means easier travel planning, no visa application fees, and more flexibility for exploring destinations such as Hạ Long Bay, Hội An Ancient Town, and Hồ Chí Minh City. Read More: Netherlands, Along With Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, And Bulgaria, Now Eligible For New Visa-Free Access To Vietnam Starting August - Travel And Tour World Join the Luxembourg Expats Community luxembourgexpats.lu

The European Union has introduced significant changes to the Schengen visa process that will impact Indian travellers. These reforms aim to streamline visa issuance, enhance security, and reward travellers with positive visa histories. Digital Schengen Visas Replace Physical Stickers One of the major changes is the shift from physical visa stickers to a fully digital Schengen visa system. Instead of affixing a visa sticker to the passport, approved applicants will now receive a digitally signed 2D barcode. This move is intended to reduce forgery and simplify processing. The digital visa system was successfully tested during the Paris Olympics, where over 70,000 digital Schengen visas were issued. India Included in the 'Cascade' Visa System India has been added to the EU’s ‘cascade’ system, which benefits travellers who have a history of complying with visa rules. Under this system, Indian nationals who have held and lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years may now be eligible for a two-year multiple-entry visa. After that, they could qualify for a five-year multiple-entry visa, provided their passport remains valid. The 'cascade' approach was already extended to countries like China and Saudi Arabia. Inclusion in this group signals the EU’s increasing confidence in Indian travellers and the strengthening of diplomatic and people-to-people ties between India and Europe. What This Means for Travellers These updates make travel to Europe more accessible for Indian tourists, business travellers, and students. The digital shift is expected to enhance the overall efficiency of visa processing. Frequent travellers will especially benefit from the long-term validity options now available. Travellers are advised to keep their previous visa records in order and monitor announcements from EU embassies in India as the new system rolls out across Schengen member states in the coming months. Source: Schengen visa update: Digital transition for Indian travelers explained  Join the Luxembourg Expats Network luxembourgexpats.lu