VIETNAM TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

In wake of the latest COVID-19 epidemic,  a number of Vietnam travel restrictions have been imposed on visitors. Vietnam had stated 10,695,036 cases of COVID-19 as of May 15, 2022, with 43,065 lives lost, although 9,349,592 patients had recovered.

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

Following a significant reduction in the number of cases, Vietnam dropped COVID-19 testing standards for all foreign visitors on May 15, according to Official Dispatch No. 416/CD-TTg.
As COVID-19 cases decreased across the country, Vietnam postponed the clinical statement necessity for all foreign visitors 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 Document, foreign arrivals must: take a COVID-19 negative RT-PCR test 72 hours before approaching Vietnam OR an immunochemical test (no self-test) 24 hours before arrriving Vietnam. This does not implement to children under the age of two years.

• Start making a wellbeing statement (appear on the screen at end of article) and install the PC-COVID app before entering; and
• If a COVID-19 test is not completed prior to departure, one will be completed within 24 hours of arrival in Vietnam. If the results are negative, tourists can travel wherever in Vietnam without being quarantined.
• Travellers arriving 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 proposals is now live.
• On March 15, the Vietnamese government agreed to reinstate its visa-free policy for 13 countries for up to 15 days, inspite of the aim of entering. Residents 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 deferral policy was in place. The government 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 lifted restrictions on the regularity of frequent international routes on February 15.
• Vietnam eliminated the COVID-19 quick test for international arrivals both before and after boarding.

  

• Previously, travelers from nations where the Omicron variant had been discovered were subjected to the way of measuring. Nevertheless, for foreign visitors, the negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours before boarding remains.
• The government issued a new Directive on January 18 that allows foreign staff and abroad Vietnamese with legitimate TRCs, PRCs, and visa exemption certificates to gain entry Vietnam without the permission of the department of immigration and the native people committee.
• The Immigration Department of Vietnam has declared that the fully automated stay expansions for foreign people stranded in Vietnam will be discontinued on January 15. The stay enhanced version measure was previously applied to foreign tourists who entered the country since March 1, 2020, as a result of border constraints caused by the global epidemic.

  

• Travelers from countries where the Omicron variant has been detected will have to pay for a quick COVID-19 test before getting on the plane and when they turn up in Vietnam. Furthermore, self-quarantine places such as residences and hotels must meet Ministry of Health standards; otherwise, they will be quarantined in high capacities. 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 accepted the re – establishment of international routes to nine destinations beginning January 1, 2022, only five international routes, including those to the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Singapore, have been affirmed.
• According to transport authorities, Hanoi has repealed the centrally controlled quarantine rule for tourists from nations where the Omicron version has been detected.
  According to the transport ministry, travellers from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho do not have to continue providing negative COVID-19 tests prior to actually boarding flights. Only travelers from elevated areas or restricted zones would be required provide the testing results inside of 72 hours.
• According to the Ministry of Health, travelers entering Vietnam for commercial purposes for even less than 2 weeks will be excluded from quarantine requirements; but even so, they must conform with global epidemic prevention methods, such as residing in separate amenities. The MoH will most likely offer additional information.
• From January 1, 2022, Vietnam has lowered quarantine prerequisites for unvaccinated foreign visitors. People arriving with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test 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 health for the next 11 days. The health and transportation ministries are expected to release additional information.
• The government of Vietnam has approved the reinstatement of international routes between Vietnam and nine locations beginning January 1, 2022. San Francisco or Los Angeles, Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Beijing or Guangzhou, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei are among them.

  

• For foreigners who entered the country on visa waiver programs, e-visas, or tourist visas since March 1, 2020, Vietnam’s Immigration Department declared automatic visa additions until December 31, 2021. The measure applies to those who entered Vietnam after March 1, 2020, enabling them to abandon without punishment 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 stage would start in January 2022, with additional locations being added to the list, with a full re – opening scheduled for June or July 2022. Since November 20, visitors on bundled tours have showed up at the above- mentioned locations.
• Vietnam has temporarily recognized COVID-19 vaccine passports or certificates from 72 countries, such as 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 rebound with global epidemic preventative measures controls. For movement within the city, inhabitants of Ho Chi Minh City must receive an extra one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and acquire a QR code via the mandatory health apps.
• Vietnam has reduced the centrally controlled quarantine period for fully vaccinated international landings from 14 to 7 days. People arriving must also test negative for the virus inside of 72 hours of emergence 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 6 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 recommence 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 airlines, on the other hand, have yet to resume currently awaiting further commands from government officials.