(VOVworld) - Vietnam will issue one-year multiple visas to American citizens instead of the current 3-month visas in an effort to boost tourism and economic-trade ties with the US.

At its discussion in Hanoi on Monday morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh presented the President’s proposal and the government’s report on approving the visa issuance between Vietnam and the US: “The agreement on visa issuance between the two countries will facilitate Vietnamese citizens’ entry to and exit from the US. The longer term visa issuance will help reduce costs and time for applicants and immigration agencies, matching with the broader Vietnam-US relations. The one-year multiple-visa issuance for American citizens will facilitate trade and investment activities and attract more American tourists to Vietnam. The visa agreement is built on the basis of respect of each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference into each other’s internal affairs, equality, mutual benefits and other fundamental principles of international law. This agreement is in line with Vietnam’s foreign policy”.