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Vietnam could finally let tourists back in from the end of March
Feb. 08, 2022
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3 min read
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Adventure-thirsty travelers have received another boost after Vietnam announced plans to fully reopen its borders to foreign visitors "ideally at the end of March and no later than the end of April."
Those were the words of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who has begun easing his country out of one of the strictest zero-tolerance COVID-19 policies in Southeast Asia.
"We may be facing a further rise of omicron and possibly other new variants," he said at the end of January. "However, with higher rates of vaccination along with other measures, we will be able to reopen the country safely, for the sake of economic recovery and development."
Vietnam has been taking baby steps in its quest to reopen its borders to visitors, having been all but closed off from the world since the spring of 2020.
Related: These are the best times to visit Vietnam
It began with allowing visitors on package tours to enter the island of Phu Quoc, as well as Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and other parts of the country in November. More locations were added to that list in January.
But that has not attracted the level of visitors Vietnam's ailing tourism industry needs to climb back to its feet after a crippling pandemic.
What are Vietnam's travel restrictions now?
Vietnam has been all but closed to foreign visitors since it suspended visa waivers, issuing of visas and the entry into Vietnam for most foreign nationals, regardless of vaccination status, in the spring of 2020. Only visitors with special reasons for visiting, such as diplomats and those with special business, were allowed in.
Limited tourists are allowed, but may only do so by joining one of the state-sanctioned tour groups operating tours to destinations approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
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"When entering Vietnam you must quarantine in either a designated hotel or a preapproved residence for [three] days," the FCO website reads. "You will need to take a PCR test on [day three] and self-monitor up to day 14. You will be responsible for paying any hotel charges and for coronavirus testing costs."
When and how will the entry policy change?
The Ministry for Tourism has said it plans to reopen its borders to tourists from March 31, at the earliest.
Vietnam has agreed to temporarily recognize COVID-19 vaccine passports from 72 countries, including the U.K., to ease the transition to normal travel conditions.
What are the vaccination requirements?
You will have to be either fully vaccinated or can prove you have recently recovered from COVID-19, according to the ministry.
You will also be required to present a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours before arrival, as well as proof of £37,000 (about $50,000) medical insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment.
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.