HCMC – The central Government has approved reopening international tourism services in five major tourist destinations this month, with no mandatory quarantine required for incoming foreigners.
Phu Quoc City (Kien Giang Province), Khanh Hoa Province, Quang Nam Province, Quang Ninh Province and Danang City have been chosen to carry out a pilot scheme to welcome back foreign visitors as approved by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.
The decision came after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed the scheme to the Government, the Government Office announced.
The scheme will be executed in three phases. In the first phase starting from November, all-in tours will be offered and foreigners will fly on charter or international commercial flights to designated areas in the five cities and provinces mentioned above.
During the second phase starting from January next year, more tourists from more markets can join the pilot scheme. International tourists can travel to other tourist sites in the five localities after completing their seven-day tour to the first destination.
The third phase will fully reopen to international tourists, depending on the Covid-19 situation and the results of the resumption of international tourism in the first and second phases.
Tourists, including foreigners and overseas Vietnamese, must meet the following conditions: proof of full vaccination or proof of recovery from Covid and a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure.
Besides, they are required to have Covid-19 travel insurance coverage with a minimum level of US$50,000 each and buy all-in tours from local travel firms.
No vaccine mandate will be required for children aged below 12 who accompany their parents or guardians.
The governments of the five localities must vaccinate all residents and employees active in the tourism sector against Covid and issue detailed guidelines on welcoming international tourists.
Vietnam has closed its borders since the Covid pandemic hit the country in March last year.
