I would like to see Hong Kong develop further with the neigbouring region. One aspect I would like to see is that Hong Kong and Vietnam should reform their visa policy. I am writing this letter to encourage the relevant parties to negotiate a possible visa-free regime for HKSAR passport holders and Vietnamese passport holders when visiting Vietnam and/or Hong Kong. Currently both sides need a visa to visit each other, which can cause some hassles. I believe visa-free or free E-visa for both sides will be beneficial for both sides, as it can bring economic benefits, encourage social-cultural exchanges like in tourism & sports and its time to look to the future, as currently its an outdated policy, all the other countries in Southeast Asia has visa-free access to HK and vice-versa.
One reason for a visa-free policy between Hong Kong and Vietnam, is that it create easier convenience for Hong Kong and Vietnamese businessmen and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) when conducting business and trade. Recently Hong Kong and ASEAN have signed a free-trade agreement, which will bring about economic benefits for all, and yet it seems strange within ASEAN, only Vietnam is only country that Hong Kong people need a visa to visit. Tourism between the two will increase. The economies within the ASEAN region are developing very fast and dynamic with high GDP growth each year. The Bamboo Network between China & Hong Kong and Vietnam along with the rest of ASEAN would deepen further co-operation between the involved parties as barriers are further reduced. It would be beneficial for Hong Kong to seize this initiative for visa-free policy as this will lead to win-win situation for both involved parties as well opening the doors to further economic opportunities.
Another reason is that is can promote and encourage social-cultural exchanges. If such visa-free policy will be adapted, it would increase tourism and other economic related benefits. If successful, within a four hour flight circle, Hong Kong people now can visit and experience visa-free hassle when travelling to neigbouring regions and cities. Sports exchanges and International/Regional competitions involving Vietnam and Hong Kong would further promote co-operation and relations between ASEAN and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an International City with its people coming from all over the world, Vietnamese people have contributed to Hong Kong, it would be excellent for Hong Kong people to visit and get to know their neighbours. The Belt and Road Initiative in which China, Hong Kong and Vietnam are a part of can help promote partnerships and exchanges between Vietnam and China with Hong Kong being the mediating role. Hong Kong has always functioned as go to place or middleman function for businesses and cultural exchanges, regardless if its between China or the Greater Bay Area to Vietnam or ASEAN. Since Hong Kong promotes itself as Asia’s World City, and the fact a sizable portion of the population are from other countries, it would further enhance Hong Kong’s image of being a free economy and free city to do business open to all nationalities throughout Asia. Understanding one another helps build a better friendships and partnerships in the future.
The last reason is that, I believe is that these visa-restrictions are an outdated policy, implemented by the British. I understand that after Vietnam War and the Sino-Vietnamese War created refugees or boat people, and one of the destinations was Hong Kong, thus back then it was understandable for Hong Kong and other countries to impose travel restrictions for Vietnamese citizens. However the war has ended over 30–40 years ago and conditions of Vietnam have greatly improved. Laos and Cambodia also had their share of refugees fleeing, but now both countries and Hong Kong have visa-free access or visa-on arrival. Many countries in ASEAN have fastest growing economies. It is an international trend in a globalising environment where trade, travel, exchanges barriers and restrictions between countries and regions are reduced or abolished. Even recently in the case of Myanmar, which opened up to the world in 2015 with many social, political and economic reforms, before you needed a visa to visit Myanmar before 2014, however now its E-visa. Hong Kong and Vietnam should reach a similar agreement, in line with similar arrangements with other ASEAN countries and following relevant immigration laws in Hong Kong.
In conclusion, in the better interests and opportunities of Vietnam, Hong Kong and to some extent China have a better visa-free arrangement between Hong Kong and Vietnam would being benefits for both sides in terms of economic, social and cultural exchanges and opportunities. It’s better to move forward into the future with win-win co-operation rather than stay in the past and get left behind. Let Hong Kong move forward and integrate more with the region!
