[Approved] Vietnam to fully reopen int’l tourism from mid-March

Today, Vietnam government agreed to reopen its inbound and outbound tourism from March 15 under new normal conditions.

Accordingly, foreign tourists are not required to book tour packages with designated travel agencies as per the ongoing vaccine passport trial program launched in last November.

What tourists are required to travel in Vietnam include:

1. All tourists aged from 12 and above must furnish a certificate stating they have been fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid and show a negative rapid antigen test result obtained within 24 hours at their accommodation facilities after arrival.
2. Those arriving by air routes would self isolate in their hotel or accommodation facility for 24 hours until they furnish a negative Covid test result and would continue monitoring their health for 14 days as per health ministry protocol. Those showing Covid symptoms would have to undergo rapid Covid testing when they land at the airport.
3. Arrivals via roads can have their COVID-19 tests done at the border gates prior to entry.
4. Have medical insurance cover for COVID treatment worth at least $US10,000, which costs around $US30.
5. Install a Việt Nam’s COVID-19 app and the app would need to be on during their entire stay in the country.

Regarding the visa to get in Vietnam

On Tuesday, the defense, public security, tourism, health, foreign affairs and transport ministries agreed at a government meeting that as Vietnam fully reopens its air, land and sea borders from March 15, all travel restrictions imposed since the pandemic broke out in Vietnam in 2020 would be removed.

The ministries proposed the government resumes the unilateral visa exemption policy for 13 countries and bilateral for 88 countries and territories as prior to the pandemic. Further updates on visa and other paperwork will be published as soon as possible.

In the spirit of flexible adaptation and safe, effective control of pandemic, each relevant ministry and sector must be urgent in their assigned role to reopen tourism in a safe manner, and soon submit their respective guidances related to tourism reopening and report to the Government on the matter.

Starting from yesterday (15 Feb), Việt Nam has also lifted all pandemic-era restrictions on frequency and destinations of outbound and inbound flights.