In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has imposed several travel restrictions on those entering the country. As of September 17, Vietnam had confirmed 1,063 cases of COVID-19 with 35 deaths, though 939 of the patients had recovered
Those planning to travel to Vietnam should be aware of the latest restrictions currently in place:
- Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners from March 22 until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers as per Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
- On August 31, the Ministry of Health lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreign experts, investors, managers, and diplomats on short business trips of less than 14 days. However, they must comply with all other health measures and must follow their scheduled itinerary. If after 14 days they wish to stay in Vietnam, they can do so without quarantining, provided they test negative for the virus.
- Vietnamese authorities will charge a quarantine fee for anyone entering Vietnam from September 1. However, the medical treatment of Vietnamese nationals in case they are infected by the pandemic will be covered by the state budget. Foreign nationals are required to pay for their own medical treatment.
- Vietnam’s Immigration Department announced another automatic visa extension until September 30 for foreigners stuck in the country due to the pandemic. The measure applies to those who entered Vietnam since March 1, allowing them to leave the country without any penalty or paperwork until September 30.
- Those that have entered prior to March 1 are also eligible as with the previous extension but must provide documents by their embassies or by Vietnamese authorities to confirm they were quarantined or treated for COVID-19.
- In light of the recent outbreak and community transmission of the pandemic in Da Nang, the authorities have extended social distancing measures for another two weeks from August 11. Da Nang residents have also been issued ‘market passes’ allowing them to visit markets once every three days to prevent overcrowding.
- Foreign employees that want to enter Vietnam should ensure they have a sponsor who can assist in obtaining the necessary paperwork and be prepared for a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival in Vietnam
- Vietnam will grant e-visa to citizens of 80 countries from July 1, 2020 as per Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP. Details on the list of countries can be accessed here. While this is a positive sign, Vietnam’s borders remain closed to foreign visitors due to the pandemic and the government has not made any official statement on when the borders will reopen.
- Vietnam’s Immigration Department on May 18 announced automatic visa extensions until June 30 for foreigners that entered the country on visa waiver programmes, e-visas, or tourist visas since March 1.
- Foreigners that entered the country before March 1 including those with temporary residence permits will also be entitled to extensions till September 30 but must present proof of documents such as health declarations and official documents from embassies. For assistance, applicants can call the immigration helpline at 0243.9387320.
- Travelers that are still in Vietnam can call the Tourist Helpline at +84378173371 for guidance on visas, accommodation, hospitals, embassy, or consulate details. The helpline is available from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time.
- Vietnam lifted social isolation measures on April 23 with most businesses resuming operations. Nevertheless, measures such as wearing face masks and observing strict hygiene standards remain in place.
- As of 12:00 pm on March 15, Vietnam suspended all visas and will deny entry to travelers from the UK and the 26 Schengen countries; this includes travelers that have visited or transited through these countries in the past 14 days. This will be effective for 30 days.
- In addition, Vietnam has suspended visa on arrival for all foreign nationals except for those on official or diplomatic trips. Those who currently hold visas to enter Vietnam will need to undergo screenings and may be quarantined when entering the country.
- From March 7, all travelers coming to Vietnam will be required to submit a health declaration upon arrival. Passengers can fill out this declaration at the airport or submit it online via this link (picture below).
- Those that are assessed to have symptoms of the epidemic will be transferred to designated health facilities for isolation.
- There is a temporary ban on travelers with travel history to mainland China, except for those on official or diplomatic missions.
- We have also heard of travelers in more remote border crossings into Vietnam being denied entry if they possess any China visa history in their passport. If travel is required, we recommend using the main border entry-exit points.
- Do not travel if you are sick; those that travel while sick, risk being quarantined, and undergo tests.
- Visa-free travel has been suspended for South Korean and Italian nationals as well as ethnic Vietnamese from these countries. In addition, travelers arriving from or those that have transited through Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk in South Korea in the past 14 days will be denied entry.
- In addition, visa-free travel has also been suspended for eight countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK from March 9.
- Travelers from China that are permitted to enter Vietnam, as well as those from South Korea, Iran, and Italy, are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon entry.
- Flights and passenger trains, as well as various border crossings to mainland China, remain suspended.
- All Vietnam carriers have suspended flights to South Korea, while other foreign airlines have reduced the number of flights significantly between Vietnam and South Korea.
- Flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao remain operational though they are operating with reduced capacity.
- Additional restrictions are possible for travelers when they return to their country of origin, including entry restrictions and quarantine.
The Vietnamese government officially declared COVID-19 as an epidemic on February 1, with authorities taking swift and strict measures to contain the virus.
While Da Nang has been put under lockdown, business activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City continue to operate, though bars and clubs have been closed until further notice.
In addition, several Vietnamese businesses, residential complexes, and restaurants have installed their own preventative measures to keep customers safe.
Due to the epidemic, travelers should monitor restrictions and comply with advisories issued by the local and national authorities.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is updating about the epidemic here, while the Tourism Ministry has also listed travel updates here.
In addition, basic precautions one can take to reduce their risk to the coronavirus as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) are:
- Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub;
- Cover nose and mouth with tissues or inside of elbow when coughing or sneezing;
- Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms;
- Thoroughly cook meat and eggs; and
- Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.
Health declaration form sample:
