Take 2: Vietnam reopens with minimal restrictions for travelers
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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.
Featured photo of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam by Tan Dao Duy/Getty Images.
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