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Northern region
Quang Ninh
From September 21st, Quang Ninh reopened some tourism and entertainment activities for local visitors. Specifically, Mong Cai City reopened Tra Co beach, outdoor tourist areas and attractions, indoor restaurants and eateries, cafes, and beverage shops. Ha Long City reopened outdoor tourist areas and attractions, sightseeing boats and accommodation on the bay, cinemas, restaurants, hotels, accommodation facilities, and cafes. Uong Bi City reopened tourist areas, historical sites, and cultural and sports activities. Visitors must have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine; be a resident of Quang Ninh province or have completed quarantine upon arrival in Quang Ninh.
Tourists can take a boat tour of Ha Long Bay.
The province also anticipates welcoming visitors from other provinces in November and December, mainly from the North, with localities that have gone 14 days without any community transmission cases. Tourists visiting the province are required to receive two doses of vaccine and have a negative RT-PCR test result within 48 hours.
Bac Giang
From October 4th, Bac Giang province allows tourist areas, historical and cultural sites, and golf courses to welcome visitors from localities designated as "green zones" on the Covid-19 map (published on the Bac Giang Department of Health's electronic portal). Specifically, these include the Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecological tourist area (Son Dong district), the Ban Ven community tourism site (Xuan Luong commune, Yen The district), and the Suoi Mo ecological tourist area (Luc Nam district).
Tourists visiting Bac Giang need to have received two doses of the vaccine (with the last dose administered at least 14 days ago and no more than 12 months ago) and have tested negative for Covid-19 using the RT-PCR method or a rapid antigen test within 72 hours. Tourists arriving in Bac Giang also need to declare their health status by scanning a QR code.
Hai Phong
From October 1st, Hai Phong will allow the reopening of tourist areas, attractions, and scenic spots within the province to serve local visitors. Visitors and guides must meet one of the following conditions: A negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours; proof of having received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than 14 days have passed since the last dose; or being declared recovered from COVID-19 according to regulations.
Cat Ba Island is ready to welcome visitors from within the province.
Tourists may dine in at their accommodations, but must strictly adhere to COVID-19 prevention and control regulations. Karaoke establishments, massage parlors, internet cafes, electronic game centers; bars, pubs, nightclubs, etc., remain temporarily closed for COVID-19 prevention and control. Domestic flights to and from the city have not yet resumed.
Vinh Phuc
From September 13th, Vinh Phuc province reopened some activities at tourist areas, scenic spots, golf courses, and sports training facilities for local visitors, operating at no more than 50% capacity. Accommodation establishments are allowed to open but are prohibited from providing karaoke or massage services. Golfers must be registered and fill out health declaration forms.
Restaurants are allowed to reopen but must not serve alcoholic beverages, operate at no more than 50% capacity, and have no more than 20 people per room, closing before 10 PM daily.
Golf facilities in Vinh Phuc have reopened but will not provide centralized dining, sauna, massage, or public shower services.
Thanh Hoa
From September 14th, Thanh Hoa reopened tourist areas, attractions, golf courses, and golf driving ranges, but they are only allowed to operate at no more than 50% capacity and only welcome visitors from within the province; visitors and those directly guiding them must have tested negative for Covid-19 using RT-PCR or rapid antigen test within 72 hours.
Hotels, restaurants, eateries, cafes, and beverage shops are only allowed to sell takeaway and takeout items (hotels and accommodation establishments are allowed to offer dine-in services, but only to guests currently staying at the hotel); outdoor sports activities are allowed for no more than 10 people in one area at the same time.
Central region
Quang Binh
From October, Quang Binh province has allowed businesses to welcome vaccinated tourists to participate in closed-loop tours. Specifically, tourists who have received two doses will be issued a Green Card, while those who have received only one dose will be issued a Yellow Card, provided they also test negative with a rapid test or RT-PCR. These tourists will stay and participate in closed-loop tours, and will not be allowed to engage in any activities outside the designated area.
Tourists can participate in a closed-loop tour in Quang Binh.
Thua Thien-Hue
From October 1st, in Thua Thien-Hue, the Imperial Citadel and several Nguyen Dynasty tombs reopened after a four-month closure due to the pandemic. The Imperial Citadel and the tombs of Emperors Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh will be open, but visitors will only be allowed to explore the outdoor areas and not enter the palaces. Visitors must wear masks, disinfect, maintain social distancing, avoid gatherings, fill out health declarations, and scan QR codes. Visitors from other provinces must complete health screenings as required, including receiving two doses of vaccine and self-isolating for one week. The province is currently offering a 50% discount on entrance fees to all historical sites within the Hue Imperial Citadel complex.
The province also allows restaurants and cafes to open after 10 PM with a maximum capacity of 50%. Religious establishments are allowed to reopen, but with a maximum of 50 people.
Bach Ma National Park, Hue (photo: Shi Jang)
Da Nang
From September 30th, Da Nang allows people to swim in the sea from 4:30 AM to 6:30 AM and leave immediately, prohibiting freshwater bathing, gatherings, and sports activities on the beach. Hotels and accommodation establishments are allowed to reopen but with a maximum of 30% of available rooms; in cases where guests have received all doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and have recovered, the occupancy rate is limited to 50%.
Da Nang is expected to reopen intra-provincial tourism from December 2021. From January 2022, the city will open its doors to domestic tourists with all services for individual travelers, and at entertainment venues, there will be some combo tours available for small groups.
People in Da Nang are allowed to swim in the sea early in the morning, but are not permitted to organize sports activities on the beach.
Khanh Hoa
Khanh Hoa province's plan for welcoming tourists is divided into three phases:
From October 1st to 15th, visitors from Khanh Hoa province holding a Covid-19 Green Card or Yellow Card can visit tourism service businesses in isolated areas that meet Covid-19 safety regulations and criteria. From October 16th to November 15th, visitors from Khanh Hoa province and other provinces holding a Covid-19 Green Card or Yellow Card can visit all tourism businesses that meet Covid-19 safety regulations and criteria. From November 16th to December 31st, domestic tourists will continue to be welcomed. Residents in "green zones" are allowed to swim at beaches within these "green zones," with a maximum of 5 people per group.
Khanh Hoa also plans to pilot welcoming international tourists with "vaccine passports" in two phases. Phase 1, from November 15th to December 31st, will welcome tourists to stay at resorts in the North Cam Ranh Peninsula tourist area. Phase 2, from January 1st, 2022 to March 31st, 2022, will expand to Vinpearl resorts on Hon Tre Island, Merperle Hon Tam Resort, Champa Island Nha Trang Resort, etc.
Lam Dong
Lam Dong province has reopened tourism-related services and restaurants. Local visitors are allowed to visit tourist attractions, destinations, and accommodations of 2 stars or higher, with a maximum of 2 guests per room and a maximum occupancy of 50%. Restaurants, including street food stalls, are limited to serving no more than 50% of their usual capacity at any one time, and are only allowed to use a maximum of 50% of their usual seating capacity. Service establishments must continue to require customers to declare their information electronically and adhere to the 5K (Disease Prevention, Control, and Management) guidelines. Residents are advised to limit going out between 10 PM and 5 AM the following morning.
After two months, Lam Dong province reopens essential services and eases restrictions on intra-provincial tourism.
Binh Thuan
Binh Thuan province is piloting a program to welcome domestic tourists and foreigners residing in Vietnam starting from October 20th. Destinations will include hotels with 3-5 star ratings or equivalent, travel services, and tourist attractions that meet safety criteria as recognized by the Provincial People's Committee. The pilot program will primarily focus on Phan Thiet City; other districts and towns may consider opening pilot programs depending on local conditions.
Southern region
Ho Chi Minh City
From October 1st, Ho Chi Minh City will lift inner-city checkpoints, allowing residents to travel freely but prohibiting unauthorized departures from the city. Ho Chi Minh City residents over 18 years old wishing to travel, sightsee, or stay at accommodation facilities (hotels, resorts, etc.) must ensure they have received two doses of the vaccine and that at least 14 days have passed since the last dose; or have recovered from infection (F0 case has recovered) with confirmation from a medical facility; or have sufficient antibody levels as required in cases of self-treatment at home. Individuals under 18 years old must have a negative rapid test certificate taken within 48 hours before participating in the travel program.
Other services catering to tourists are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50% capacity, provided they meet the safety assessment criteria for epidemic prevention and control. Restaurants in accommodation establishments, resorts, and tourist attractions are only allowed to serve guests staying at the establishment or visiting the site; buffets are not permitted.
Areas where the pandemic is largely under control, such as Cu Chi and Can Gio, launched their first closed-loop tours on September 19th and plan to implement more tours in the near future.
Medical team participating in the closed-circuit tour of Can Gio on September 19th.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau
Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has allowed four pilot accommodation establishments to welcome domestic tourists: Melia Ho Tram Resort, Binh Chau Hot Springs, The Grand Ho Tram Resort & Casino (Xuyen Moc district) and Six Senses Con Dao Resort (Con Dao district), provided they meet the disease prevention and control requirements set by the Provincial People's Committee.
For guests, a negative Covid-19 test result within 24 hours is required before arrival at the hotel; they must have received both doses of the vaccine, with the last dose administered at least 14 days prior but no more than 12 months prior. Each guest must undergo regular check-ups during their stay. For guests staying for one week, RT-PCR testing will be conducted on the first and sixth days. For guests staying for two weeks, RT-PCR testing will be conducted on the first, sixth, and thirteenth days. Guests are not permitted to leave the hotel premises and must travel by private vehicle from their pick-up location in other provinces or cities to the hotel. Additionally, guests must make reservations and pay a deposit in advance to the hotel.
COVID-19 GREEN/YELLOW CARD REQUIREMENTS
A Covid-19 green card is issued from an electronic database system indicating that the individual meets one of the following conditions:
- For vaccines that require two doses (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, etc.): 14 days after the second dose, and periodic antigen testing for certain work environments.
- For vaccines requiring only one dose (Johnson & Johnson's Janssen...): 14 days after vaccination, and periodic antigen testing for certain work environments.
- Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 who have recovered and completed their quarantine period, within 180 days of recovery.
- Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 who self-test, self-isolate, and subsequently recover must undergo testing to demonstrate the presence of antibodies.
Those who receive a Covid Yellow Card are eligible:
- Administer one dose for vaccines that require two doses (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, etc.) and after 14 days have passed.
- Having negative results from routine testing (every 3 days) (confirmed according to the guidelines of the Department of Health and updated in the electronic database system for card issuance and renewal).
