CaliToday (16/10/2025): In a surprising turn of events, the Vietnamese passport has seen its global power ranking tumble, landing at 92nd place in the latest Henley Passport Index. The dip represents a significant slide of eight positions from its peak rank earlier in the year, a development that stands in stark contrast to the nation's recent efforts to liberalize its own visa policies to boost tourism and international ties.
The latest quarterly update from the prestigious global mobility index highlights a volatile year for Vietnam's travel document. After starting 2025 at 91st, the passport's power saw a remarkable surge to 84th place mid-year, sparking optimism for increased global mobility for its citizens. However, a subsequent dip to 88th in the third quarter was followed by the most recent slide to 92nd, raising questions about the factors influencing the passport's standing on the world stage.
This decline is not necessarily a reflection of deteriorating international relations or a tightening of Vietnam's own travel regulations. On the contrary, Vietnam has actively worked to open its borders. In a widely lauded move in August 2025, the Vietnamese government granted 45-day visa exemptions to citizens of 12 additional European countries, bringing the total number of visa-exempt nations to over two dozen and simplifying entry for millions of potential tourists and business travelers.
The Dynamics of a Competitive World
The key to understanding Vietnam's paradoxical situation lies in the methodology of the Henley Passport Index itself. A country's ranking is not static; it is a direct comparison against all other nations. The index measures the number of destinations a passport holder can access without a prior visa. Therefore, even if a country maintains or slightly increases its own visa-free score, its rank can fall if other nations are securing new visa-waiver agreements at a faster pace.
The recent slip suggests that while Vietnam has been taking steps forward, other countries have been leaping ahead. The global landscape of travel freedom is a competitive one, with nations constantly engaged in diplomatic negotiations to improve travel perks for their citizens. The latest index indicates that several other countries have been more successful in these efforts over the past quarter, allowing them to climb the ranks and push others, including Vietnam, down the list.
A Tale of Two Policies
This situation creates a fascinating dichotomy. Internally, Vietnam's government is pursuing an open-door policy, making it easier than ever for foreigners to visit. This strategy is aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector, a key pillar of the economy, and strengthening economic and cultural exchanges.
Externally, however, the challenge remains to secure reciprocal visa-free access for Vietnamese citizens. A passport's strength is a measure of a nation's "soft power" and the level of trust it commands globally. While the recent expansion of Vietnam's own visa waiver program is a sign of its growing confidence on the international stage, the ultimate goal for its citizens is to see that openness reflected in their own travel opportunities.
For the average Vietnamese citizen, this latest ranking serves as a reminder that their ability to travel the world without cumbersome visa applications is dependent on a complex web of international diplomacy. While the government's efforts to attract visitors are bearing fruit, the quest for a more powerful passport—and the global mobility it represents—continues. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the race for greater travel freedom is one that Vietnam will need to run with ever-increasing agility.
