Türkiye opens e-visa: A bright door for luxury tourism

Here is the full English translation of the article, written in a professional analytical style for readers aged 18–35, without the use of personal pronouns, headings, dashes, or emotional descriptions:

The recent decision by Turkey to officially grant e-visas to Vietnamese citizens starting from 01/09/2025 marks a strategic move in expanding its international tourism market. Previously, travelers were required to submit documents directly at the embassy, with a processing time ranging from two to four weeks. The new procedure allows the entire visa application to be completed online through a transparent and user-friendly system. Basic requirements include a valid passport, round-trip tickets, accommodation confirmation, and a fee of approximately 59 USD. Each e-visa is valid for 180 days and allows for a stay of up to 30 days, aligning with most high-end travel packages offered by Vietnamese tour operators.

Simplifying visa procedures not only reduces administrative burdens and processing time but also enhances flexibility in departure plans and destination choices. Travel companies in Vietnam are rapidly updating their offerings and redesigning premium tour packages. Several businesses have confirmed that tour prices may be reduced by approximately 2.5 to 3 million VND per person due to lower visa fees and shorter waiting periods. This creates a significant opportunity to expand the high-end tourism segment, which was previously limited by high upfront costs and procedural barriers.

From a market perspective, Turkey has demonstrated a strong post-pandemic recovery and impressive growth in tourism. In 2024, the country recorded a record-breaking tourism revenue of 61.1 billion USD, reflecting an increase of nearly 20 percent compared to the previous year. In the first quarter of 2025, Turkey earned approximately 9.5 billion USD from international visitors. The average daily spending of foreign tourists is approaching 117 USD, signaling not only an increase in visitor numbers but also in quality and economic contribution. This spending capacity aligns with the growing demand for premium services such as wellness retreats, cultural exploration, heritage tours, fashion and music events, and professional conferences.

Turkey is actively adjusting its tourism policies to reach deeper into Asian markets, particularly in Southeast Asia. Including Vietnam in the list of countries eligible for e-visas clearly indicates a targeted strategy toward young travelers who seek unique, immersive, and high-value experiences. Booking data from international platforms has shown a steady rise in Vietnamese outbound travel to Europe over the past two years, despite rising airfare and currency exchange fluctuations.

Turkey is not only a geographical bridge between Europe and Asia but also a convergence point of diverse values in history, architecture, cuisine, and religion. Key destinations such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Antalya offer multi-dimensional experiences that appeal to various tourist segments. Older travelers tend to favor religious and cultural heritage routes, while younger audiences are drawn to visually impactful experiences such as hot air ballooning, thermal baths, diving, and Mediterranean coastal resorts.

Despite its potential, the new e-visa policy presents several practical challenges. The first involves rising costs of living in Turkey due to inflation and energy market volatility, which may deter cost-sensitive travelers. The second concerns geopolitical instability. A recent incident involving mass tour cancellations from India due to diplomatic tensions with Pakistan illustrates how political fluctuations can directly impact tourism. While Vietnamese tourists are less likely to be affected by such developments, both travelers and tour operators must stay informed of international dynamics to avoid unforeseen disruptions.

Another key issue is service readiness. In anticipation of increased Asian arrivals, Turkey must upgrade its hospitality infrastructure, including multilingual training for staff and digital capacity for visa and emergency management. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and the UAE have previously implemented such measures to maintain seamless international experiences.

On the Vietnamese side, the new policy presents a clear opportunity while also setting a high bar for quality and consistency. Tour operators cannot rely solely on volume but must develop personalized, thematic experiences tied to arts, fashion, wellness, culinary discovery, or spiritual journeys. Collaborations with airlines and Turkish partners will be essential to offer seamless travel packages. Providing Vietnamese-language support throughout the customer journey will be a crucial differentiator in service excellence and retention.

Tourists must also be well prepared. With an estimated daily budget requirement of around 117 USD, traveling to Turkey demands sound financial planning, clear itineraries, and access to reliable information. Comprehensive guidance on e-visa procedures, local customs, security policies, and cultural etiquette must be widely shared through official and verified channels to prevent misinformation or legal issues abroad.

As the global tourism industry shifts toward personalization and sustainability, Turkey’s decision to offer e-visas to Vietnamese citizens is both timely and strategic. With a young, travel-curious, and increasingly affluent population, Vietnam is positioned to become a high-potential market for Turkey in the 2025–2030 period.

For this to materialize, both supply and demand sides must act proactively. Vietnamese travel companies need to restructure their offerings with more compact, experiential, and digitally integrated solutions. Government authorities should coordinate closely with Turkish diplomatic missions to ensure policy stability and facilitate fast, accurate access to essential information. Travelers must also cultivate cultural awareness, manage their finances responsibly, and embrace respectful and adaptive mindsets.

Turkey is more than just a new visa-friendly destination. It is a test of Vietnam’s tourism industry’s ability to grasp global trends and implement precise strategic responses. Efficiently leveraging the e-visa opportunity will not only drive short-term revenue but also lay the foundation for sustainable growth in Vietnam’s premium travel sector, helping to project the image of Vietnamese tourists as modern, informed, and globally engaged citizens.