The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has adopted a plan to reopen the tourism sector in the new normal.

A foreigner waits to handle entry procedures at an international airport in Vietnam.__Photo: VNA

According to the ministry’s Document 829/PA-BVHTTDL, to enter Vietnam, international visitors have to satisfy some conditions. Firstly, they are citizens of one of the 13 states to be entitled to 15-day visa exemption regardless of passport types and entry purposes. These states include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. This regulation is valid from March 15, 2022 through March 14, 2025. Secondly, they are foreign nationals, overseas Vietnamese, or relatives who have sufficient legal papers such as valid permanent residence cards, temporary residence cards, visas and visa waivers. They are not required to re-apply for personal verification or visa issuance/visa waivers, or apply for entry permission by ministries, sectors or localities.

Regarding testing and vaccination requirements, international visitors to Vietnam (except under-2 children) need to produce a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result prior to their departure by air within 72 hours if using the RT/PCR/RT-LAMP test method, or within 24 hours if using the rapid antigen test method, as verified by competent authorities of the countries conducting the tests.

Those who enter Vietnam by road, railway or sea can take a test before their departure like air passengers if their travel duration is short. Meanwhile, they need to take a test at ports of entry if their travel duration is long.

A test is required for an international visitor who shows COVID-19 symptoms. If the test result is positive, he must comply with the Ministry of Health’s guidance.

International arrivals by air no longer have to undergo another test when entering Vietnam, as well as quarantine requirements. International visitors can engage in tourism activities as soon as they meet these conditions.

As per entry procedures, all international arrivals have to make health declarations at tokhaiyte.vn prior to leaving and download the PC-COVID app to their phones.

The PC-COVID application__Photo: VNA

In regard to quarantine requirements, within 10 days since their entry, international visitors have to self-monitor their health status. In case of showing suspected symptoms (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, nasal congestion; aches or pains, tiredness, cold; loss of taste or smell; headache; diarrhea; shortage of breath; respiratory infection), they have to immediately report such symptoms to the nearest healthcare establishment to receive timely instructions and management while practicing disease prevention measures (frequently wearing face masks, cleaning hands with sanitizer).

In respect of other information, international visitors must have health insurance or travel insurance with coverage of at least USD 10,000 for COVID-19 treatment. They have to pay testing, health quarantine, health check-up, and treatment expenses, and others (if any).

If wishing to apply for or having problems with seeking the Vietnam entry permit, foreign nationals and Vietnamese holding foreign passports can liaise via the emails: contact@immigration.gov.vn; and foreigners@immigation.gov.vn for guiding and handling foreigners’ entry, exit, and residence procedures; or telephone numbers: (+84) 2438260114 2438264026 (Hanoi) and (+84) 2839200365 (Ho Chi Minh City).

For more information about entry permit application procedures, visit https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn .- (VLLF)