Vì Sao Hộ Chiếu Việt Nam... Quá Yếu?

Summary

The video discusses the decline in the global ranking of Vietnamese passports, highlighting the impact on travel freedom due to visa policies. Despite Vietnam's improving diplomatic relations, its passport remains limited with fewer visa-free destinations and declining exemptions. The factors affecting the passport's power include diplomatic relations, economic status, security concerns, and illegal immigration issues. The video emphasizes that improving Vietnam's passport ranking requires not only diplomatic efforts but also a shift in citizen behavior and international trust-building. It concludes that the collective effort of both the government and citizens is needed to enhance the global acceptance of Vietnamese passports.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Vietnamese passport has seen a decline in global rankings, now sitting at 86th as of January 2025, with 51 destinations visa-free or offering visa on arrival.
• 😀 Although Vietnam is improving diplomatic relations globally, Vietnamese citizens still face challenges with visa applications when traveling abroad.
• 😀 A strong passport facilitates easier global mobility, including opportunities for education, work, and international experiences.
• 😀 The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free access, places Vietnam at 86th due to limited exemptions, with a decline in visa-free destinations over time.
• 😀 From 2024 to 2025, Vietnam’s visa-free destinations dropped from 55 to 51, showing a loss of benefits for Vietnamese citizens traveling internationally.
• 😀 Diplomatic factors impact passport strength, as Vietnam’s limited ability to negotiate bilateral visa exemptions means fewer visa-free opportunities for Vietnamese citizens.
• 😀 Vietnam's cautious visa policy limits its negotiating power, as countries with more open policies (e.g., Singapore, South Korea) encourage tourism and trade while Vietnam's policies remain stricter.
• 😀 The global perception of Vietnamese citizens, particularly regarding concerns over illegal immigration, affects the visa policies of other countries.
• 😀 The economic status of a country also influences passport rankings. With a GDP per capita of about $4,000, Vietnam’s passport reflects its modest economic position, limiting its visa-free access.
• 😀 Human trafficking and illegal immigration concerns linked to Vietnam have led to tighter visa policies in certain countries, harming Vietnam's passport standing and international relations.
• 😀 Vietnam's future passport strength depends not only on diplomatic agreements but also on improving the global perception of its citizens and strengthening border control measures.

Q & A

Why is the Vietnamese passport ranking declining despite improvements in diplomatic relations?

The Vietnamese passport's ranking is declining primarily due to a loss of visa-free destinations, as some countries revoked their visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens. Despite diplomatic improvements, this has resulted in fewer benefits for travelers.

What is the current global ranking of the Vietnamese passport, and how many destinations can Vietnamese citizens visit without a visa?

As of January 2025, the Vietnamese passport is ranked 86th globally. Vietnamese citizens can visit 51 destinations without a visa, including 24 visa-free destinations and 23 destinations where visas are issued at the border.

How did the Vietnamese passport rank in previous years?

Over the past decade, the Vietnamese passport has fluctuated in rank, with its lowest point being 95th in 2021. The passport improved to 86th in 2020, but it then fell back to 95th in 2021 due to the pandemic and stricter border controls.

What are the main factors that determine a passport's strength in international rankings?

A passport's strength is determined by how many countries and territories it allows its holders to enter without a visa, with stronger passports granting more travel freedom. Economic factors, diplomatic relations, and the country's visa policies also play crucial roles.

What is the Handly Passport Index, and how does it rank passports?

The Handly Passport Index is one of the most widely referenced passport ranking systems. It evaluates passports based on the number of countries and territories a holder can enter without a visa, with higher rankings indicating more global mobility.

Why is Vietnam’s visa policy more cautious compared to other Southeast Asian countries?

Vietnam’s cautious visa policy is primarily due to concerns over border security and illegal immigration. The country has been wary of potential risks, such as illegal labor trafficking and human trafficking, which has led to stricter entry controls.

What are some of the challenges that Vietnamese citizens face when applying for visas?

Vietnamese citizens often face challenges when applying for visas, including complex procedures, long waiting times, and the potential rejection of visa applications. This is partly due to concerns over illegal immigration and the country’s image abroad.

How do the economic conditions of a country impact its passport strength?

Countries with higher GDP per capita, like Japan and Singapore, tend to have stronger passports because their citizens are seen as less likely to immigrate illegally. On the other hand, countries with lower GDP per capita, such as Vietnam, often have weaker passports due to concerns about illegal immigration.

How does Vietnam’s image in the international labor market influence its passport strength?

Vietnam's image in the international labor market is influenced by incidents of illegal immigration and labor trafficking. These incidents harm the country's passport strength, as other nations may impose stricter visa controls on Vietnamese citizens as a result.

What impact does human trafficking have on the Vietnamese passport’s ranking and travel freedom?

Human trafficking has a negative impact on the Vietnamese passport's ranking. High-profile cases, such as the deaths of Vietnamese citizens in the UK in 2019, have prompted countries to tighten visa policies for Vietnamese citizens, further limiting travel freedom.