Updated info for travellers on Covid-19 in Vietnam

UPDATED: Nov 15, 2021 

Source: Vietnam.travel

Since the start of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Vietnam has closely monitored the situation and installed a series of proactive, comprehensive measures to combat the spread of the virus within the

country and prepare its public health facilities. Past experience with other epidemics places Vietnam in a strong position to protect its population as well as visitors passing through.  Travellers in Vietnam may have questions about the spread of the virus in Vietnam, as well as which policies are in place in Vietnam. Below is a full overview of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam as it relates to travellers. 

Current snapshot of COVID-19 situation in Vietnam

From November 2021, international tourists (foreigners and Vietnamese residing aboard coming from key and potential tourism markets of Vietnam) who meet the following conditions may travel to Vietnam.

1. Having a certificate showing vaccination against VOVID-19 recognized by a competent authority in Vietnam. The timing of the 2nd or 1st dose must be at least 14 days and not more than 12 months prior to entry. Or have a certificate of recovery from COVID-19. The time between hospital discharge and entry date must not exceed 6 months.
2. Having a negative result for SARS-CoV-2 from a RT-PCR/RT-LAMP-method test within 7 hours (from the time of same collection) before boarding the plane.
3. Have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability at $50,000.
4. Participating in an approved package tour program of a travel agency.

Screening centers and health hotlines

Travellers with symptoms of COVID-19, or those concerned that they may have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, should call Vietnam's health hotline: 1900 3228

Vietnam has appointed 180 authorized testing facilities to carry out testing and diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. For the full list of screening centerres, please see this link.

For a full overview of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam as it relates to travellers, as well as daily updates, please see our travel advisory here.

Visa policies for travellers to Vietnam

To staunch the spread of COVID-19, Vietnam is only allowing entry to those foreign experts, and those travelling for official or diplomatic purposes, who must undergo medical checks and 21-day quarantine at their own cost upon arrival in Vietnam. 

Vietnam's Immigration Department has announced that all foreigners who entered Vietnam after March 1, 2020 on visa exemptions, e-visas or tourism visas will be given automatic stay extensions at no charge until May 30, 2021. Travellers still in the country must declare their temporary residence to local police, through their landlords or hotels, and must complete Vietnam's online health declaration here.

Visitors who entered the country before March 1, 2020 may be considered for the extension, provided they can show an official letter from their embassy or consulate stating they were unable to leave the country due to objective reasons (letter must be translated to Vietnamese). Foreigners who have undergone quarantine or treatment for COVID-19 in Vietnam are also eligible for the extension. They must bring their certification documents to show immigration officials when leaving Vietnam.

Flights changes related to COVID-19 in Vietnam

At this time Vietnam is only offering entry to diplomats, experts, investors and their respective family members, and Vietnamese returning home. All visitors must meet specific health regulations and bring the required paperwork in order to be granted entry into Vietnam, and undergo mandatory quarantine on arrival. Since February 1, all flights to and from mainland China on all airlines have been indefinitely suspended by the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam.

Travel requirements

The 72 countries and territories whose COVID-19 vaccine certificates and/or recovery documentation Vietnam currently accepts (according to the Consular Department): Poland, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Oman, Thailand, Romania, Japan, New Zealand, Brazil, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland, Austria, San Marino, Laos, Singapore, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, the United States, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Norway, Sweden, Israel, France, Turkey, Azerbaijan, India, Switzerland, China, Pakistan, Greece, Kuwait, Colombia, the Netherlands, Australia, Finland, Chinese Taipei, Hungary, Belarus, Cambodia, Algeria, Canada, Indonesia, Nepal, Mexico, Bolivia, Croatia, Portugal, Turkmenistan, Palestine, Qatar, Libya, Egypt, Timor Leste, Ukraine, the Philippines, Malaysia, Luxembourg, Argentina, Jordan, and Brunei Darussalam.

All travelers entering Vietnam are required to:

• Have a vaccination certificate recognized by a competent authority in Vietnam. The second dose or first dose must have been administered at least 14 days and not more than 12 months before entry. Alternatively, show a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued within 6 months before entry.
• Have a negative test certificate of SARS-CoV-2 taken by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP-method test issued within 72 hours (from the time of sampling) before boarding.
• Show that children under 12 years of age traveling with a parent or guardian have taken a RT-PCR test, showing a negative result, within 72 hours before boarding.
• Have medical/travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum of $50,000 cover.
• Participate in a package tour from an approved travel agency.

Travel protocols

1. Book a package tour
   • Select and register to participate in travel programs of appointed travel agencies. The program must provide:
     • Flight information
     • Accommodation
     • Tour services
     • Itinerary
2. Visa issuance: Visa application through travel agencies (if required)
   • Travelers provide travel agencies with required documents.
   • Travel agencies carry out procedures for visa application as per regulations. Visas are issued at diplomatic missions of Vietnam overseas, or at border gates, depending on the requests of the travel agencies.
3. Preparations before the flight
   • Conduct RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test within 72 hours before boarding.
   • Before entering Vietnam, the travel agency should advise travelers to monitor their health and consider not traveling to Vietnam if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
   • Practice precautions against COVID-19 on means of transportation before entering Vietnam.
   • Prepare copies of required documents, except for electronic copies accepted by the Vietnamese authorities.
   • Prepare the negative RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test results (taken within 72 hours before boarding) to present to the airline and immigration authorities upon request.
   • Children under 12 years of age traveling with a parent or guardian must have a negative RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test result taken within 72 hours before boarding.
4. Immigration process
   • All travelers are required to undergo health screening at the international airport of entry, and:
     • Proceed through the temperature checkpoint.
     • Install the IGOVN and PC-COVID.
     • Use the above Applications during your stay in Vietnam.
   • Carry out immigration procedures at the international airport as per regulations.
   • Travel agencies should support and guide travelers while preparing their entry documents.

Health checks on arrival

All travelers entering Vietnam need to submit mandatory Health Declarations on arrival. This form can be filled out electronically at airports and border crossings, or submitted online on the day of entry into Vietnam. Travelers are legally responsible for ensuring the information is true and accurate. All foreigners will need to comply with official health procedures when in Vietnam.

• All travelers are required to undergo health screening at the international airport of entry, and:
  • Proceed through the temperature checkpoint.
  • Install the IGOVN and PC-COVID.
  • Use the above Applications during your stay in Vietnam.
• Carry out immigration procedures at the international airport as per regulations.
• Travel agencies should support and guide travelers while preparing their entry document.
• Tourists must
  • Self-monitoring of health.
  • Comply with the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations).
  • Comply with the infection prevention and control measures as prescribed.
  • Immediately notify the health authorities at the airport if you have any health abnormalities such as cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, body aches, fatigue, chills, decrease or loss of taste and smell.

Health and safety precautions for travellers

Visitors in Vietnam are encouraged to take sensible precautions against COVID-19 during their trips.

The World Health Organization outlines these basic practices to keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

1. Avoid travelling if you have a fever and cough. If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, alert health care services and share with them your recent travel history.

2. Maintain social distancing. Stay a metre or more away from others, especially those who are sneezing or coughing, or have fever. 

3. Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water. You can also use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer to spray your hands as often as you like.

4. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of dirty tissues immediately and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. 

5. Avoid contact with live animals. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch live animals or animal products in markets.

6. Eat only well-cooked food. Make sure your meals especially animal proteins and dairy products are thoroughly cooked and prepared in a sanitary environment. 

7. Discard single-use masks. If you choose to wear a single-use mask, ensure it covers your nose and mouth, avoid touching the mask, and wash your hands after removing it.

Any travellers experiencing symptoms of the virus — fever, cough and difficulty breathing — should immediately call Vietnam’s health hotline: 19003228.

Health checks on departure (or exit from Vietnam)

Domestic travel: Travelers are required to:

1. Conduct self-tests for COVID-19 under the supervision of medical staff on the 7th day of the tour. After receiving a negative test result for COVID-19, tourists can continue to participate in the tour program of the travel agency to other destinations that are allowed to welcome international tourists.
2. Comply with the Ministry of Health's 5K message: khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations).

International travel: Travelers return to their home countries according to the guidelines and procedures published by the respective countries.

Procedure while participating in a tour package

Health Declaration form

Travelers are required to complete the Health Declaration form before coming to the airport as required by the Ministry of Health. Fill in the information by following the instructions at the website http://tokhaiyte.vn or via the Vietnam Health Declaration App.

Roadmap to welcome international travellers

All travelers entering Vietnam need to submit mandatory Health Declarations on arrival. This form can be filled out electronically at airports and border crossings, or submitted online on the day of entry into Vietnam. Travelers are legally responsible for ensuring the information is true and accurate. All foreigners will need to comply with official health procedures when in Vietnam.

• All travelers are required to undergo health screening at the international airport of entry, and:
  • Proceed through the temperature checkpoint.
  • Install the IGOVN and PCCOVID.
  • Use the above Applications during your stay in Vietnam.
• Carry out immigration procedures at the international airport as per regulations.
• Travel agencies should support and guide travelers while preparing their entry document.
• Tourists must
  • Self-monitoring of health.
  • Comply with the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations).
  • Comply with the infection prevention and control measures as prescribed.
• Immediately notify the health authorities at the airport if you have any health abnormalities such as cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, body aches, fatigue, chills, decrease or loss of taste and smell.

Screening centers and health hotlines

Travelers with symptoms of COVID-19, or those concerned they may have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, should call Vietnam’s health hotline: 1900 3228

Vietnam has appointed 180 authorized testing facilities to carry out testing and diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. For the full list of screening centers, please see this link.

For a full overview of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam as it relates to travelers, as well as daily updates, please see our travel advisory here.

Online trackers and official government sites

Travelers are required to download and use these applications during their stay in Vietnam: PC-COVID (from Apple Store or Android Market) or IGOVN (an App by the Ministry of public security).