Since March 22, Vietnam has suspended entry for international tourists. However, tourists who entered Vietnam before that time, due to the 14-day quarantine order, have not been able to visit and return home as scheduled and are still "stuck" in Vietnam. For these cases, Vietnam has decided to extend their visas by 30 days, so that tourists can rest assured to stay in safe hotels nationwide. Due to the social distancing order, tourists can only have fun and entertainment inside the hotel, receiving attentive service without having to go out.
International visitors entering the country under visa exemption or tourist visas whose temporary stay has expired but without a sponsoring organization can apply for a 30-day extension through the Embassy or Consulate General. Visitors can submit their application to the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security, which will return the result after 5 days if the application is valid.
Valid records are for tourists who stay in Vietnam because they have been quarantined for 14 days and have overstayed, or because airlines have stopped flying, or the destination or transit country has closed its borders... The implementation period is from now until April 30, 2020. Cases that have overstayed their temporary residence for less than 10 days for the above reasons, if they have documents and papers to prove it, can be exempted from administrative violations.
According to statistics, in Ho Chi Minh City, there are 407 international tourists who cannot return home, mainly from Japan, Germany, France, Russia, etc. The tourists are welcomed and served in 33 4-5 star hotels across the city. During their stay, the hotels have implemented good medical monitoring procedures, ensuring the health and safety of guests and staff, reminding guests to limit their time out of the hotel and comply with the Government's social isolation order.
Guests will also have their temperature checked, receive free masks, and eat in an open area, ensuring a 2-meter distance between people. Any case showing signs of suspected Covid-19 infection will be immediately isolated and treated promptly.
Following the social distancing order, the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security has also temporarily suspended the reception of immigration-related procedures for both Vietnamese and foreigners for 15 days from April 1, except for emergency cases, cases of entry for diplomatic or official purposes, etc. If entry is required, these cases must complete medical examination and declaration procedures in accordance with Vietnam's regulations.
