On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that “COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic”. This announcement follows the alarming increasing number of cases throughout the world and unfortunately, the equally “alarming levels of inaction”, according to WHO.

We wish to inform our partners, clients & friends about the latest update on Vietnam travel policy, and the aggressive measures the country is putting in place now to act against the spread of the virus and protect its citizens.

Vietnam has decided to temporarily suspend visa exemption for 10 countries. Citizens from South Korea, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain now have to apply for a visa letter in order to enter the country. Application must be processed through Vietnamese embassies, employers or a local travel agency.

However, visas will be suspended for nations reporting more than 500 cases of Covid-19, or nations with more than 50 new cases per day.
Please note that anyone not affected by these rules, may still be refused entry to Vietnam if their flight has transited in one of these countries, or if they personally travelled to or been in touch with someone from these countries, less than 14 days before their entry date to Vietnam.

For more information about visas, do not hesitate to read our article “Get your Visa for Vietnam”.

•  At the airport
Travelers who can get access must be informed that a health check will be performed upon arrival at the airport. A mandatory health declaration has to be submitted either online here, or on paper available at the airport before customs.

If the airport authorities have any suspicion on travelers based on their recent travel history, they will “be placed in 14-day quarantine before being allowed to enter Vietnam”, declared the Vietnam Department of Tourism.

This regulation only concerns the individuals who may have come into contact with carriers of COVID-19. That is to say anyone who shared a flight, vehicle or hotel with a person who tested positive to the virus. These people can expect to be tested for the virus and placed in 14-day quarantine.

•  In the country
Within Vietnam, it is important to know that the people are generally very scared of the virus. They may overreact and give the wrong impression to travelers.
Many hotels are now checking temperature of each guest before granting access, and contact or physical proximity may be limited.

In addition, major sites which are considered high-risk, have been temporarily closed by Vietnamese Health officials. The list includes several areas in Sapa, monuments in Hanoi and Hoi An, and sadly, Halong Bay and its surrounding area. No cruise is to sail in the bay until March 26, 2020 included (more information available here).

The government has installed a health hotline and invites anyone who starts feeling symptoms, to call them: 1900 3228.

Vietnam also appointed “30 screening centres nationwide to carry out testing and diagnosis of COVID-19 disease, as well as 45 quick response teams to assist health facilities in the processing and treatment of COVID-19 patients”, informed Vietnam Department of Tourism on his website. The list of centres is accessible here.

I wish you all patience and support during this global crisis, hopefully the numbers will start decreasing soon. My team keeps a close eye on the evolution of the situation in Vietnam, and we shall keep you informed with any major updates that may impact you.

Be assured that our business continues to operate as normal, so please do not hesitate to contact us for any assistance.

Kind regards,
Linh Tuan Nguyen