On March 15, Vietnam reopened its borders to tourists and business travellers. This was an important step for the economy of Vietnam, as a large part of their income before the corona pandemic came from the tourist sector. This article provides an overview of the relaxation introduced since then for tourists in Vietnam and information on the Vietnam visa.
Visa exemptions
Before the coronavirus took hold of Vietnam, there was a visa exemption for some countries. Significant conditions for this visa exemption included that the traveller had to be a national of a country from the visa exemption policy, and that the stay did not exceed 15 days. On 15 March 2022, these visa exemptions were partially resumed for the following 13 countries: United Kingdom, Belarus, Russia, Denmark, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Japan, and South Korea. Ireland is not yet included, but the government Has already anounced to expand the list soon. The purpose of travel does not affect this exemption, as long as you leave the country within 15 days. For all countries that are not on the list, or for travellers who want to stay in Vietnam for more than 15 days, they have to apply for a Vietnam visa. The most commonly used visa is the e-visa (electronic visa) which can easily be applied for online.
COVID-19 relaxation for Vietnam
When the borders reopened on March 15, travellers had to comply with strict rules in order to enter the country. These rules have since been largely relaxed or let go thanks to the sharp decline in the number of infections in recent months. Vietnam has one of the worldʼs highest vaccination rates. About 81.6% of all inhabitants are fully vaccinated.
Health certificate no longer required
As of 27 April 2022, tourists and business travellers are no longer required to fill in a medical health certificate for their trip to Vietnam. This applies to both international and domestic flights.
COVID-19 testing no longer required
AS of 15 May 2022, it is no longer mandatory for international travellers to show a COVID-19 certificate for travel to Vietnam. Travellers still need to obtain a travel medical insurance.
Overall accessibility Vietnam
With this latest relaxation, Vietnam hopes to attract more tourists. In general, Vietnam is a safe country for tourists who behave properly and treat the culture with respect. As in any other country, there are things that you as a tourist should pay extra attention to. For example, it is wise to keep your electronics out of sight as much as possible to prevent theft, and never travel to remote areas on your own.
Apply for your Vietnam visa
For a holiday to Vietnam, it is wise to apply for a visa in time. The validity of the e-visa is 30 days and starts on the date you enter on the application form. This date is your expected arrival date in Vietnam. If you arrive later than the date you entered, you will not be able to stay in Vietnam for another 30 days. The e-visa cannot be extended.
Please note: this news article about the visa for Vietnam is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for Vietnam.