VIETNAM TOURISM COVID 2022

In wake of the latest COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam tourism has tried to impose a number of travel restrictions on visitors. Vietnam had affirmed 10,695,036 cases of COVID-19 as of May 15, 2022, with 43,065 lives lost, but while 9,349,592 patients had recovered.

Those planning a trip to Vietnam should be conscious of the most recent restrictions:

• Following a significant decrease in the number of cases, Vietnam dropped COVID-19 testing standards for all international arrivals on May 15, according to Official Dispatch No. 416/CD-TTg.
• As COVID-19 cases decreased across the country, Vietnam postponed the medical statement necessity for all visitor travellers on April 27. Domestic medical declarations have also been postponed.
• According to Official Letter No 1265/BYT-DP, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health released COVID-19 entry procedures for foreign arrivals on March 15. According to the Memorandum, international arrivals must:

1. Take a COVID-19 negative RT-PCR test 72 hours before approaching Vietnam OR a speedy Antigen test (no self-test) 24 hours before entry. This does not implement to children under the age of two; complete a health declaration (screenshot at the end of the article) and install the PC-COVID app before entering
2. If a COVID-19 test is not completed prior to departure, a test will be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Vietnam. If the test is negative, travelers can travel anywhere in Vietnam without being quarantined.

• Tourists entering Vietnam should also have medical or travel insurance with a minimum liability of US$10,000 that covers COVID-19 treatment.
• The e-visa gov website link for visa entries is now live.
• On March 15, the Vietnamese government agreed to reinstate its visa-free policy for 13 countries for up to 15 days, regardless of the purpose of entry. Citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are affected. Prior to the pandemic, the visa deductible policy was in place. The current regime has yet to provide more information on entry procedures.
• The Vietnamese government has agreed to reopen the country to international tourism on March 15. The relevant government authorities are expected to release a detailed reopening plan soon.
• According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Vietnam tourism lifted restrictions on the frequency of regular international flights on February 15.
• Vietnam eliminated the COVID-19 quick test for international arrivals both before and after boarding. Previously, travelers from countries where the Omicron variant had been detected were subjected to the measure. However, for international arrivals, the negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours before boarding remains.
• The government issued a new Directive on January 18 that allows foreign employees and overseas Vietnamese with valid TRCs, PRCs, and visa exemption certificates to enter Vietnam without the approval of the immigration department and the local peoples committee.
• The Immigration Department of Vietnam has announced that the automatic stay extension for foreigners stranded in Vietnam will be discontinued on January 15. The stay extension measure was previously applied to foreign tourists who entered the country since March 1, 2020, as a result of border restrictions caused by the epidemic.
• Travelers from countries where the Omicron variant has been detected will have to pay for a quick COVID-19 test before boarding and when they arrive in Vietnam. Furthermore, self-quarantine locations such as residences and hotels must meet Ministry of Health standards; otherwise, they will be quarantined in centralized facilities. Airlines have asked authorities to remove the quick test requirements because passengers must have a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours before boarding.

  

• While Vietnam approved the resumption of international flights to nine destinations beginning January 1, 2022, only five international routes, including those to the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Singapore, have been confirmed.
• In accordance with transport authorities, Hanoi has repealed the centralized quarantine rule for travelers from countries where the Omicron variant has been detected.
• According with transport ministry, passengers from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho do not need to provide negative COVID-19 tests before boarding flights. Only passengers from high-risk areas or restricted zones would be required to provide test results within 72 hours.
• According to the Ministry of Health, travelers entering Vietnam for business purposes for less than 14 days will be exempt from quarantine requirements; however, they must comply with pandemic preventive measures, such as staying in separate accommodations. The MoH will most likely provide additional information.
• From January 1, 2022, Vietnam has lowered quarantine specifications for fully vaccinated foreign visitors. People arriving with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR testing results would only be required to self-quarantine at home or their places of lodging for three days when entering Vietnam. On the first and third days of entry, two RT-PCR tests will be performed. If the results are negative, entrants must continue to monitor their wellbeing for the next 11 days. The health and transportation ministries are expected to release additional information.
• The government of Vietnam has approved the resumption of international flights between Vietnam and nine destinations beginning January 1, 2022.
• For foreigners who entered the country on visa waiver programs, e-visas, or tourist visas since March 1, 2020, Vietnam’s Immigration Department announced automatic visa extensions until December 31, 2021. The way of measuring extends to those who entered Vietnam after March 1, 2020, allowing them to leave without penalty or documentation until December 31, 2021.
• Beginning in November, Vietnam plans to allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists in specific locations such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and others under a three-phase plan. The second phase would begin in January 2022, with additional locations being added to the list, with a full reopening scheduled for June or July 2022. Since November 20, tourists on bundled tours have showed up at the above said locations.
• Vietnam has temporarily recognized COVID-19 vaccine passports or certificates from 72 countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, India, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Germany, France, Cambodia, and Canada, among others, to facilitate the entry of fully vaccinated foreign arrivals.

  

• On September 21 and October 1, respectively, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City relaxed social distancing measures to help the economy recover with pandemic prevention controls. For movement within the city, residents of Ho Chi Minh City must receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and obtain a QR code via the mandated health apps.
• Vietnam has reduced the centrally controlled quarantine period for fully vaccinated foreign arrivals from 14 to 7 days. Arrivals must also test negligible for the virus within 3 days of arrival and must self-monitor for 7 days after the quarantine period. Those infected with COVID-19 who have certificates proving they have managed to recover from the virus within six months will also have their quarantine period reduced. The government has yet to provide additional details and a timeline for implementation.
• On September 15, the government issued Notice No. 330/TB-VPCP, allowing Vietnamese carriers to resume international flights to six countries: Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Vientiane (Laos). Incoming travelers, on the other hand, must present a negative RT-PCR test three days before departure and another test upon arrival in Vietnam. Commercial flights, on the other hand, have yet to resume pending further instructions from government officials.
  Foreign workers will be permitted to quarantine at the company’s factory, headquarters, or a designated hotel/facility. Furthermore, if they test negative twice, they may be released and self-quarantined at their home or workplace in accordance with the local health officials.