The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected Vietnam’s tourism industry. Yet, the country has been successful in fighting the virus and have recorded very low infection cases despite its close proximity to China, where the virus is believed to have come from. Because of its success in containing the virus, Vietnamese authorities are expected to bring life back into its tourism industry soon.
Vietnam will be among the first Southeast Asian countries to start to revive its tourism economy. And in order to attract foreign visitors into coming back, many hotels and resorts are offering discounted rates. Tour operators are offering very affordable packages to make Vietnam more attractive to international travelers.
As of now, it is not yet clear what requirements are needed for foreign tourists to enter Vietnam. However, since the pandemic has not ended yet, there’s a good chance that the Vietnamese government will be requiring visitors to present a negative result of the Covid-19 test. Aside from the Covid-19 test, visitors may be asked to go on a mandatory quarantine. These are the same requirements that eligible foreign visitors are being required when traveling to Vietnam this Covid-19 season. This is to prevent the entry of the Covid-19 virus into the country and protect both visitors and citizens.
Right now, Vietnam is allowing the entry of essential visitors. These include highly skilled foreign workers and business managers who have to take special flights and quarantine at hotels for 14 days. Before these visitors can enter the country, they are required to have a sponsor company. It is the sponsor company that will request a special entry permit to allow the entry of the foreign visitor. But when Vietnam starts to welcome tourists back, a sponsor company will not be required. Instead, foreign visitors must have a visa, depending on which country they came from.
Tourists have two options for their Vietnam visa, the e-visa, and visa on arrival. The e-visa will allow foreign visitors to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days. This is an electronic visa, which means it can be applied online. To apply for this visa, you just need to fill out the application form online, submit scanned documents of passport and photos. Once the visa is granted, it will be sent to your email. All you need to do is to print the e-visa and this is what you will show at the airport in order to be allowed entry into the country.
Another option for foreign visitors is the Visa on Arrival. This is a visa that must be applied online in advance. Once the online application is approved, you will be sent a pre-approval letter. You have to print this letter and bring it with you to Vietnam. Present this letter to the Immigration Authorities and they will attach a visa sticker to your passport.
If you need help in getting a visa to Vietnam, you can get in touch with a local agency that can process the visa on your behalf.
Since May 2020, the key tourist sites in Vietnam have already reopened their doors after closing in March to stem the spread of the virus. However, to ensure safety and prevent another outbreak, authorities have implemented strict measures. First, tourists must travel in groups of less than ten people and must observe social distancing at all times. All visitors are also required to follow health and safety precautions when exploring these attractions, such as the wearing of a mask.
Attractions in the central region of Vietnam such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the public beaches in Binh Dinh and Da Nang have already reopened, and so as the Dalat light Market in the central highlands region. In Sam Son City, restaurants and accommodations are already gearing up with the necessary precautions to welcome back tourists. Tourists visiting the Cam Mountain Site are also required to adhere to health and safety regulations, such as the wearing of ma ask, frequent hand washing, and maintaining social distance.
Once Vietnam starts to welcome foreign visitors, everyone is also expected to follow the strict health and safety protocols when visiting the country’s famous sights and attractions.
Currently, Vietnam has more than two thousand confirmed cases of the Covid-19 with only 35 deaths. Just like with the other countries around the world, Vietnam is preparing to vaccinate its citizens. The Vietnamese authorities have recently approved a vaccine from AstraZeneca, and the country is planning to start with the vaccination around the first quarter of this year. And with many people getting vaccinated around the world, there’s a good chance that the situation will get better soon and Vietnam will start opening its borders to foreign visitors with fewer restrictions.