Authorities plan to keep closer eye on visitors entering Vietnam amid rising crime fears

The Vietnamese government has ordered the development of a digital system to manage tour bookings and hotel reservations, enabling authorities to trace visitors’ itineraries as concerns grow over tourism-related crime and visa abuse. A directive it issued on May 28 calls for stronger measures to safeguard security and public order with respect to tourism activities, emphasizing they are key factors in enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness as a travel destination, Vietnam News Agency reported. Tourism has enjoyed a strong growth in recent years, with the country receiving a record 22.8 million foreign visitors last year, up 18% from 2024. In the first four months of this year, the number surpassed nine million, a 22.5% increase year-on-year. But authorities said some visitors exploit the welcoming visa policies to engage in sophisticated crimes. Recent offenses have included people working illegally while on tourist visas and violating other laws. In response, the government has instructed relevant agencies to adopt technology to prevent such acts. Authorities plan to make greater use of the national immigration and population databases and electronic identification and authentication systems. By Hoang Phong – VnExpress.net – May 31, 2026

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