After several months of closing its borders to curb the spread of Covid-19 disease, Vietnam is finally opening to International travels on Sept. 15. However, it will only allow a limited number of flights. In addition, all arriving passengers will be required to quarantine for 14 days and undergo a Covid-19 PCR test twice. They will only be allowed to end their quarantine if their results are positive on both tests.
As for the cost of testing and isolation fees, the traveler will have to shoulder these. So if you plan on traveling to Vietnam soon, this is something that you need to prepare for.
On Sept. 10, Vietnam’s Prime Minister has set up a meeting with relevant agencies to discuss the isolation procedures, including the accommodation establishments of foreigners and Vietnamese that are expected to arrive in the country once the International flights will resume.
According to those who have attended the meeting, the Prime Minister has been cautious in its approach to open the borders for international routes. He is open to the idea of welcoming foreign visitors, but at the same time, he doesn’t want to compromise the safety of the country. The Prime Minister understands that opening the border will inhibit investment opportunities that could revive the country’s economy.
Vietnam’s opening on September 15 will only welcome foreign experts, businessmen, and investors who have business interests in Vietnam. Before making this decision, the government has conducted a survey. So far, the response has been great. By opening the borders for foreign experts, the Vietnamese government is hoping that it will be able to revive its economy that has been badly affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
Tomorrow, September 11, the tourism associations, ministries, businesses, and the Government Office of Vietnam will come up with a report to be presented to the Prime Minister during the standing meeting concerning Covid-19 prevention.
Those who are eligible to enter Vietnam on September 15 must quarantine on arrival. They will be accommodated at designated government facilities for a certain number of days, usually 14 days. While on quarantine, they will be tested twice for Covid-19. If the results for both tests are negative, they will be referred to as home monitoring. The cost of quarantine and testing has to be shouldered by the guest or the company that sponsored their trip.
This quarantine requirement and procedure will also apply to foreign officials who are holding diplomatic passports. Furthermore, representatives of international organizations and agencies are also required to follow this procedure. Managers, experts, high-techs, investors, foreign workers, as well as the relatives of all those who are eligible for entry will have to follow the rule, which is to quarantine on arrival. International tourists are not allowed just yet.
The Prime Minister has also noted during the meeting that when the international routes will finally be opened, the number of accommodation facilities must be increased. This is especially true for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh since the number of passenger arrivals for these cities are very large. Therefore, he urged the concerned agencies to ensure that there will be enough facilities to accommodate all the foreign visitors.
In addition, the Prime Minister has also required that the rate of these accommodation facilities will be displayed publicly. Some of the recommended accommodations have offered promotions for foreign visitors to avail of. These accommodations have also implemented appropriate service controls and there won’t be any price increases. Furthermore, these accommodation facilities have put up an effective plan to ensure the safety of the guests and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Foreign visitors who are traveling from a third country, and are transiting through South Korea or Japan, must take another airline to enter Vietnam. They are also required to comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement upon arrival.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that Vietnam has at least 1,000 Covid-19 cases. However, almost 900 of them have since recovered. As for the fatalities, the country has recorded 35 deaths.
Because of the decreasing Covid-19 cases, the government has decided to ease some of the restrictions that they have put in place. This includes opening the beaches and restaurants. Some tourist sites have also reopened, including bars, karaoke, and movie theaters.
In locations that have allowed tourists sites to operate, health protocols have to be strictly implemented. These include requiring all workers and visitors to use facemasks, maintain physical distancing, and sanitize their hands. Some establishments will also check the temperature of guests.
In most places all over the country, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, people are required to wear facemasks in public. Anyone caught with no mask will be fined.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has sent a proposal to the country’s Prime Minister about reopening international routes to foreign visitors. The initial plan is to resume flights to six international destinations.
Vietnam has so far been doing well in its fight against COVID-19. Compared to other Asian countries, Vietnam has a low number of confirmed cases and fatality rates.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has recently proposed to operate International flights on September 15 to six different countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Laos, and Cambodia. Other relevant agencies will also submit their plans to the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control regarding the said proposal.
Even though Vietnam has been successful in containing the Coronavirus outbreak, it still has not opened up to international tourists. The Vietnamese government is careful enough not to allow another wave of infections, such as the case in Da Nang recently.
The Director-General of Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that it has proposed to the Ministry of Transport the resumption of flights to Japan and South Korea. Such a proposal recommends having eight flights per week in and out of the said countries.
Due to the unpredictable and complicated nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s Health Ministry has put in place various initiatives to combat the spread of the disease. These measures have grown more stringent over time and are expected to change from time to time.
In order to curb the spread of Covid-19, Vietnam has decided to shut down its borders in March. The government also suspended all International flights and halted the issuance of new visas to foreign nationals.
