The reopening of borders and the easing of health restrictions would also affect travel markets in Asia. In Vietnam, a meeting with various ministers agreed to report back to the government to advocate for a reopening of the borders on March 15, 2022. The Minister of Tourism explained that the tourism industry was severely affected. A health protocol for the resumption of travel to Vietnam was also presented.
The time is long gone when destinations congratulated themselves on record growth rates. In 2020, Covid closed the borders and with it the tourism ambitions of destinations, including those of the Dragon of Asia. Since March 2020, Vietnam is hermetically closed for foreign travelers.
However, the knowledge of the increasing variant omicron and the urgency to revive a dying industry have prompted Vietnam's Minister of Tourism to submit to the government a project reopening the borders.
Ministries and tourism companies have proposed to the government to resume the issuance of visas for international tourists, including the electronic visa, and also the unilateral and bilateral visa exemption from March 15, 2022.
Vietnam: Only 9,000 International Travelers Welcomed
If this proposal is approved, Vietnam will fully reopen its air, land and sea borders by March 15.
It is also proposed to resume the unilateral visa waiver policy for 13 countries (Russia, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belarus for a maximum of 15 days) and bilateral for 88 countries and territories.
To support this proposal, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Van Hung relies on the success of the program to welcome international tourists.
This last one allowed to welcome 9,000 foreign travelers between November 20, 2021, and February 10, all with "positive results".
At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Dam said that the tourism industry in particular and the country's economy, in general, are facing many difficulties after two years of fighting the covid pandemic.
Vietnam has also lifted all restrictions on the frequency and destinations of outbound and inbound flights since February 15, 2022. Not only that, but a draft health protocol was debated before it was also submitted to the government.
Vietnam: Discover the Protocol under Study
International travelers over 12 years of age must have received at least two doses of vaccine. To enter the country, the second dose must have been injected less than 6 months ago.
The certificates of recovery will also be recognized, if the government validates the protocol submitted by the ministers.
In addition to being vaccinated, visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to entry or within 24 hours for the antigen test.
Ministries and agencies participating in the border reopening meeting agreed that foreigners entering Vietnam will be required to carry insurance worth US$10,000 to cover possible covid treatment in Vietnam. The cost of such insurance is set at 26 euros (30 dollars).
There are only a few days left to wait for the government's validation of the plan to resume tourism in Vietnam.