In order to motivate the recovery process of Vietnam’s tourism industry, and create favourable conditions for reopening international travel in the near future, the Government has enacted many documents on orientation for reopening of tourism, especially international tourism, in the “new normal” phase. In particular, on 15 March 2022, the Government promulgated Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP on visa exemption upon entry for citizens of several countries (“Resolution 32”); the Ministry of Health also issued the Official Dispatch No. 1265/BYT-DP providing guidance on implementation of measures on prevention and control of COVID-19 for entrants into Vietnam (“Dispatch 1265”), which shall take effect as of 15 March 2022.
Pursuant to Resolution 32, citizens of Germany, France, Italia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus, on the basis of fully satisfying the conditions prescribed by the laws of Vietnam, are exempted from obtaining a visa with a temporary-stay duration of fifteen (15) days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. Such policy on entry visa exemption shall be implemented for three (03) years, from 15 March 2022 to the end of 14 March 2025, and will be considered for extension in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
In addition, requirements for COVID-19 prevention and control for entrants are specified by the Ministry of Health in Dispatch 1265 as follows:
1.Requirements of testing:
1.1. Entrants entering Vietnam by air:
Must have negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 (except for children under 02 years old) within 72 hours before exit if tested with RT-PCR /RT-LAMP or within 24 hours before exit if tested with antigen rapid test, and the test results must be certified by competent authorities of the country in which the test is done.
1.2. Entrants entering Vietnam other methods (by land, by sea or by railway):
Must have a similar test as entrants entering Vietnam by air. In case an entrant does not have negative test results for SARS-CoV-2, he/she must do a test for SARS-CoV-2 within the first 24 hours (with RT-PCR/RT-LAMP or antigen rapid test) since entry. Accordingly, if (i) the test result is negative, he/she is allowed to leave his/her accommodation and implement anti-covid measures as prescribed by laws; and (ii) If the test result is positive, he/she must immediately notify local health authorities for timely guidance.
1.3. Children under 02 years old:
Are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2, those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or who have never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 are allowed to enter Vietnam and participate in activities outside of their accommodation with their parents and relatives.
2. Requirements of health declaration and inspection at the checkpoints
Entrants must carry out health declaration before entry and use health declaration application (PC-COVID) throughout their stay in Vietnam as prescribed by the laws. Furthermore, those bearing symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the checkpoints must notify health authorities at the checkpoints for implementation of health measures as prescribed.
3. Requirements of monitoring health and applying anti-COVID-19 measures
Within ten (10) days from the date of entry, entrants must self-monitor their health. Anyone who have symptoms of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection must notify the nearest health authorities for prompt guidance and management. Simultaneously, that person must implement preventive measures such as regularly wearing face masks and cleaning their hands with antiseptic solution.
For entrants who do not have negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 before leaving their country: while moving from the checkpoint of entry to their accommodation, they must avoid stopping, parking, and making contact with other people.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Vietnam has a high ratio of vaccination, the numbers of deaths and severe cases are still under control. Therefore, enacting a visa exemption policy and a guidance of anti-pandemic measures for entrants is essential, adhering to the policy on “adapting safely, flexibility, and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic” in the process of reopening international tourism.
As a matter of fact, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), favourable policy for entry visa and timely issued guidance on anti-covid measures can increase the number of international tourists from 05-25% per year. Consequently, some countries in ASEAN already applied such policies, for instance, Thailand has exempted tourist visa for citizens of over 50 countries and territories; Indonesia has exempted visa for over 60 countries and especially, applied a unilateral 30-day visa exemption policy to attract outbound tourists.
It is expected that, simplification of testing and isolation for entry procedures of foreign visitors shall motivate the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism, create more favourable conditions for international tourists, marking the milestone of “awakening” and flourish of the tourism industry after a long period of “hibernation” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
