Vietnam Visa | Visatovietnam.com Offers Vietnam visa upon arrival service for tourist and business travellers.
In response to a spate of new cases of COVID-19, Vietnam is stepping up its measures to stop the virus from entering and spreading within the country. To help prepare for you can expect in Vietnam at this time, below is an outline of new policies related to travel, as well as the health precautions Vietnam is requiring of all inbound visitors.
Suspended visa exemptions for travellers to Vietnam
To staunch the spread of COVID-19, Vietnam will not be allowing entry or issuing visas to any foreign nationals, from March 22 until further notice, except for those travelling for official or diplomatic purposes who must undergo medical checks and 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Vietnam. The travel ban also applies to those who currently hold visas or visa letters.
Vietnam has officially suspended all visa exemptions for citizens of South Korea, Belarus, Russia, Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Health checks on arrival
All travellers 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. Travellers are legally responsible to ensure the information is true and accurate.
Online medical declarations can be filled out (here).
Those with symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and those whose travel history contains epidemiological risks are required to undertake medical examinations, and may be placed in 14-day quarantine before being allowed to enter Vietnam. All foreign travellers will need to comply with official health procedures when in Vietnam.
Quarantine regulations in Vietnam
In order to minimise the risk of contagion, Vietnam is isolating individuals who have come into close contact with others carrying the COVID-19 disease. If you have any contact — such as the sharing of flights, vehicles, or hotels — with others who have tested positive for COVID-19 while in Vietnam, you can expect to be tested for the virus and placed in 14-day quarantine.
Vietnam observes several levels of quarantine:
- Self-quarantine in homes or hotels with regular check-ups by local health authorities,
- Quarantine in health establishments for those showing symptoms of the virus, as well as those who have tested positive for COVID-10 and those in close contact with them, and
- Quarantine in non-medical establishments for those returning from high-risk areas.
As well, Vietnamese health officials have temporarily isolated several locations that are deemed high-risk. Most recently, several areas in Sapa and Hanoi were zoned off and blockaded, and a number of cruise ships in Ha Long and Hai Phong were recalled and disinfected after hosting travellers with COVID-19.
Please note that many hotels in Vietnam are now requesting guests to undergo temperature checks at reception. Guests with temperatures of 36.6 degrees and below should have no trouble checking in.
Screening centres and health hotlines
Travellers 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 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. For the full list of screening centres, please see (this link).
