Foreign visitors arrive in Phu Quoc (Photo: VNA)Theregulations state that visitors with negative COVID tests can enjoyquarantine-free travel from day one.
Travellersentering Vietnam via air routes will have to present proof of negativeSARS-CoV-2 tests (except for children under two years old) done within 72 hoursprior to departure in cases of RT-PCR/RT-LAMP or within 24 hours in cases ofrapid antigen tests, and the results must be certified by the authorities ofthe country where the tests are conducted.
Peopleentering via road, sea, and rail will be subject to the same requirements.
Ifarrivals cannot show proof of negative tests, they are required to take a test(either using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method or rapid antigen tests) in the first 24hours from the time of arrival.
Ifthe results are negative, they may travel outside of their place ofaccommodation, with public health measures still in place, if the results arepositive, they must notify health authorities for further instructions.
Childrenunder two years old are not required to take COVID-19 tests, and they can stillenter Vietnam and take part in activities outside of the place of accommodationwith their parents or relatives even if they have not been vaccinated againstCOVID-19 or contracted the virus before.
A foreign visitor undergoes immigration procedures at Noi Bai airport (Photo: VNA)Atthe border gate, if one shows symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough;sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; reduced orloss of taste; reduced or loss of sense of smell; headache; diarrhoea;breathing difficulties; respiratory infection, etc.), they must immediatelynotify the health agency at the border gate to take medical measures asregulated.
Nomandatory quarantine is required, but in the first 10 days after entry, peopleshould self-monitor their health and if any symptoms develop, ask forassistance from the nearest medical facilities.
Visitorsare asked to frequently wear masks and disinfect their hands.
Peoplewithout negative COVID-19 results prior to entry are asked to not make reststops and make contact with other people along the way from the border gate totheir place of accommodation.
Someprominent omissions in the latest official set of COVID-19 rules is that thereis no longer a requirement for the COVID-19 vaccination or recent recoverycertificates, multiple tests required before and after entry, or the need tocomply with restrictions like avoiding gathering or keeping safe distance, likein previous proposed plans from the ministry.
Theguidelines, released the day after the country fully reopened internationaltourism activities and reinstated pre-pandemic entry and exit regulations,replace all other previous COVID-19 rules for foreign entries and the healthministry asks local authorities and State agencies to quickly direct theimplementation of the COVID rules to avoid spreading the virus among thetravellers and the community.
Itis hoped the relaxed regulations will ease concerns from internationaltour companies who have been desperate to welcome back foreign tourists intothe country after two years of severe disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Withthese new COVID-19 guidelines, international visitors entering Vietnam will be“treated the same way” as domestic visitors, as Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Damhas promised late March 15.
TheMinistry of Health also noted that the new daily COVID-19 increases in Vietnamremains significant and Omicron variant has been circulating in the community,however, with one of the highest vaccination rates in the world,hospitalisations and deaths from the virus remain at manageable levels, and theguidelines are part of the efforts to safely adapt to, and flexibly andeffectively control COVID-19./.
VNA
