Three phases of the pilot roadmap to welcome international tourists to Vietnam
Phase 1 will be implemented from November 2021 with 5 localities designated to welcome guests including Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang and Quang Ninh. These localities will pilot welcoming international guests under package tours, through charter flights and international commercial flights in the areas and tourist service establishments. The list of areas and service establishments that welcome international guests will be selected and publicly announced by the localities.
Phase 2, implemented from January 2022, will expand the scope of international tourist arrivals, connecting destinations through charter flights and regular international commercial flights. Tourists can participate in the tourism program combining destinations in 5 localities in phase 1 (some other localities can be added if they meet the conditions and have proposals to welcome international tourists), after tourists have completed the tourism program at the first destination within 7 days.
Phase 3: Fully reopen to the international tourist market. The start date of phase 3 will be based on the actual epidemic situation, and on the assessment of the results of welcoming international tourists in the first two phases.
What conditions are required for international tourists to come to Vietnam?
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's temporary guidelines for piloting international tourists to Vietnam, international tourists must meet immigration and health conditions. Tourists must also comply with Vietnam's international tourist reception procedures. The minimum requirements are a certificate of full vaccination with COVID-19 vaccine (valid for 14 days and no more than 12 months from the date of departure) or treatment; a negative nCoV test result by RT-PCR method 72 hours before departure; health or travel insurance including COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least 50,000 USD and participation in a package tour of a travel agency. Children under 12 years old traveling with a parent or guardian do not require a vaccination certificate.
Visitors must have their temperature taken, install the IGOVN application developed by the Ministry of Public Security, and use it throughout their stay in Vietnam. On the first day of entry, visitors are taken to their accommodation and tested for nCoV, and continue to participate in the program if the result is negative. If positive, they will be taken to a medical facility and the cost will be covered by insurance or the travel agency.
During the first 7 days of the tour, international visitors are only allowed to participate in the pre-registered itinerary according to the plan organized by the tourism business; absolutely must not separate from the group or leave the arranged reception area; limit close contact with members of other tourist groups. Tourists self-monitor their health and notify medical staff when having symptoms; ensure compliance with the "5K Message" and disease prevention and control measures of competent authorities. Accommodation facilities arrange rapid test kits in hotel rooms or provide them upon request, recommending tourists to self-test every 2-3 days and notify the accommodation facility of the results for monitoring according to regulations.
For tours of less than 7 days, tourists return to their home country according to the instructions and procedures announced by the respective country. After 7 days, those who continue to stay in Vietnam must self-test for Covid-19. If the result is negative, they will be allowed to go to other localities. Those who want to visit relatives need to register with the organizing unit to notify the local authorities of the destination to coordinate health monitoring and management according to regulations. Guests can exit the country on commercial flights in operation or licensed charter flights.
