The National Assembly approved on Saturday a government proposal to extend the validity of tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days and allow visitors multiple entries.

The legislative body passed the needed amendments to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam with 470 out of 475 members voting in favor.

The amendments take effect on August 15.

They also triple to 45 days the duration of visa-free stays for visitors from certain countries.

Nationals of some western European countries, Japan and South Korea, Vietnam's top tourism markets, are now permitted to visit without a visa for 15 days.

Lawmakers approved issuance of multiple-entry visas, saying it would reduce the administrative burden and save time and money.

"A three-month e-visa will meet foreign visitors’ demand to stay longer to explore investment opportunities," Le Tan Toi, head of the NA Committee for Defense and Security, said.

Vietnam currently offers e-visas to citizens of 80 countries and territories and waives visa for nationals of 25 countries, mostly for between 15-30 days, a policy considered less generous than other countries in its neighborhood.

In the first five months of this year Vietnam received 4.6 million foreign visitors, more than half of the year's target of eight million but still only 63% of pre-pandemic levels.