According to the latest COVID-19 foreign traveler policy issued by the Ministry of Health, all foreign visitors entering Vietnam no longer have to spend time in medical isolation, but now require a negative test to enter.
Foreigners entering by air must provide a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 virus 72 hours prior to departure if the RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method is used, or within 24 hours if the rapid antigen testing method is used. The results must then be certified by the competent authorities of the country conducting the test.
A similar policy also applies to people entering via land and water.
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If a visitor does not have a negative test result, a rapid test must be performed within the first 24 hours from the moment of entry. If the test turns out to be negative, the visitor may leave the accommodation. If the test comes back positive, they should immediately report to the local health authorities for further instructions on timely treatment.
Children under the age of two are allowed to enter without any testing and can participate in outdoor activities with their parents and relatives.
Visitors must make medical statements at the border and also use the medical statement application (PC-COVID) during their stay in the country.
Vietnam officially reopened its borders to international tourism on March 15. However, travel agents feared that it would be difficult for the country to attract foreign visitors unless its COVID-19 regulations, including those on medical isolation and testing, were revised and revised.
Travel agents argued that it is unfair for vaccinated foreign visitors to undergo medical isolation in their accommodation for a period of time, especially if vaccinated domestic travelers are allowed to travel freely and unimpeded.
During a meeting with foreign ambassadors and several travel agency representatives in Hanoi on March 15, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam confirmed that foreign visitors would be treated the same as domestic visitors upon arrival.
He also requested the relevant ministries and agencies to continue to receive advice from domestic companies and places on reopening policies, including expanding visa-free markets, lifting restrictions on electronic visas and extending the stay of visitors.
Foreign and local visitors are treated equally: Gov’t official
A senior government official confirms that Vietnam will reopen its borders to international tourism in a safe, effective and non-discriminatory manner.
All foreign visitors traveling by air will be treated the same as domestic holidaymakers upon arrival in Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam told a March 15 meeting in Hanoi amid concerns from travel companies over medical control measures, including quarantine and test policy .
He also said there will be separate rules for visitors traveling by road and water as they have longer travel times, so some more safety regulations are needed.
The deputy prime minister revealed that Vietnam will soon resume pre-pandemic visa policies to attract tourists and revitalize tourism services.
Vietnam fully reopened its borders to international tourism on March 15 after a two-year pandemic hiatus. The government issued a resolution the same day allowing visa waiver for citizens from 13 countries.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam noted that Vietnam’s economic recovery is getting back on track and that the reopening of the international tourist market will boost the recovery process.
He requested the relevant ministries and agencies to continue to receive advice from companies and places on reopening policies, including expanding visa-free markets, lifting restrictions on electronic visas and extending the stay of visitors.
Source: VOV/VNA
