Vietnam to Set a New Reopening Date
Following the government last week's meeting during which relevant ministers discussed the Vietnamese plans of resuming full tourism in the country, the proposal to welcome international arrivals in mid-March was approved.
Vietnam has already started to execute its gradual reopening process in January 2022. The new proposal, however, brings the reopening date forward.
According to the new arrangements, domestic and international tourism is to be fully reopened as of 15th March. International arrivals will be able to enter Vietnam via land, air, or sea.
And best of all, visitors to Vietnam will no longer have to buy a pre-booked tour package from a registered tour agency in order to enter the country.
Visa regulations
As of 15th March 2022, the application for Vietnamese visas for international travelers will be resumed as usual, including electronic visas with unilateral and bilateral visa exemption.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Vietnamese government has stopped visa exemption. Now, the country plans to grant unilateral visa exemption for nationals of 13 countries and bilateral visa exemption for certain nationals of 88 countries (as it used to be in pre-pandemic times).
Vietnam e-Visa
The electronic visa system was introduced in Vietnam in 2017 making traveling to Vietnam significantly easier. Since then, eligible nationals can handle all visa formalities without leaving home and making the visa application entirely online. The approved e-Visa is delivered within maximally 5 business days.
Holders of Vietnam e-Visa do not need to cover additional stamping fees. The electronic visa allows them to enter the territory of Vietnam once and stay there for up to 1 month (30 days).
Vietnam entry requirements
As of 15th March, arrivals to Vietnam are subject to the following entry protocol:
- provide a vaccination certificate (confirming that the second dose have been administered within the last 6 months) or, alternatively, a recovery certificate (proving that the traveler has recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months)
- submit a negative COVID-19 test report (taken within 24 hours of arrival - antigen rapid test, or 72 hours of arrival - RT PCR test)
- purchase health insurance including COVID-19 treatment costs with a minimum coverage of $ 10,000
- install a health management application and activate it during travel
On-arrival testing
International arrivals entering Vietnam by air will need to undergo on-arrival testing at the airport. They must wait for the test result for up to 24 hours at a pre-booked hotel for the test results. In case of negative test results, they are free to continue their trip. In case of positive test results, they must follow the quarantine protocol.
Those who plan to enter Vietnam via sea routes or land will be subject to rapid COVID-19 testing at the border crossing point.
All visitors to Vietnam must self-monitor their health within 2 weeks (14 days) after entering the country as well as follow local coronavirus-related recommendations and regulations.
