Vietnam's Passport Drops to 19th in Global Ranking, Impacting Regional Standing

Vietnam's passport has been ranked 19th in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index (2024). This marks a decline from the previous year, with a reduction in the number of destinations accessible visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival. The index, which uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), evaluates the travel freedom of passports across 227 destinations globally. It ranks 199 passports based on the number of places their holders can enter without prior visa arrangements. Despite the drop, Vietnam continues to hold a significant position within Southeast Asia, ranking behind only Singapore (1st) and Malaysia (7th) in terms of passport strength. However, this year's dip in the ranking warrants attention regarding its implications for international mobility. Singapore retained its global top spot, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan in second place with access to 188 destinations, and South Korea, the UAE, and Sweden tied for third with 187 destinations. Under Vietnam's one-party system, the freedom of its citizens to travel internationally is often viewed in conjunction with national goals of economic growth and strengthening international ties. The global standing of a passport can be a crucial factor in facilitating business, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. This shift in ranking may prompt considerations regarding Vietnam's strategies for enhancing its external relations and expanding international travel opportunities for its citizens. Source: VnExpress International