Take 2: Vietnam reopens with minimal restrictions for travelers
After much confusion surrounding Vietnam's reopening to international travelers on Tuesday, travelers are officially welcomed back to the Asian nation as of March 16, according to the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam.
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Entry protocols: Pre-departure COVID-19 test and visa
Tourists are once again allowed to enter Vietnam by presenting negative results of a negative COVID-19 test — either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel or a rapid test conducted within 24 hours.
Note that these tests must be "administered and certified by competent health authorities," per the Embassy, which also says the testing requirements apply to anyone 2 years of age and older entering the country via land, air, rail and sea.
According to the Embassy and other news outlets, an arrival test is the only entry requirement for visitors at this time. However, Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) provides guidance on their website stating that quarantine is required for incoming travelers.
"For passengers traveling by air, there is a testing and quarantine process before boarding," according to MOCST. "For passengers traveling by land, sea or rail, it takes longer to travel, so additional safety measures such as testing at the border gate."
As a result, tourists hoping to visit Vietnam in the immediate future should be prepared for either option.
We will update this post as soon as more concrete information from the government is released.
Per ABC News, Vietnam "reinstated visa exemptions and the issuance of visas on arrival similar to their pre-pandemic status," meaning Americans still need to obtain a visa to travel to the country.
Visa applications are available via the Vietnam Embassy in Washington, D.C., which states you can apply for a visa in person, by mail, online or by email. The Embassy did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Lastly, travelers should complete an online health form before departure, according to Vietnam Airlines.
There is no information to suggest there are any other on-the-ground COVID-19 restrictions in Vietnam at this time.
Bottom line
Although the Vietnamese government had previously proposed stronger entry requirements for travelers, including requiring proof of vaccination and travel insurance, those no longer appear on any official government websites.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
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Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
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- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023