HCMC – The healthcare authority will not accept negative results of rapid Covid tests from inbound international travelers, meaning they will have to self-quarantine at their residences for 72 hours after their arrival in Vietnam.
Responding to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s draft plan on “Solutions to full tourism reopening”, the Ministry of Health proposed tightening some anti-pandemic rules for international arrivals.
Accordingly, the Health Ministry asked aliens aged 12 or older to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure and proof of full vaccination or recovery from Covid.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had earlier proposed accepting either a negative rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before departure or a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior.
After arrival in Vietnam, tourists must stay at either their residence or a hotel for 72 hours, with the first 24 hours compulsory, according to the Health Ministry.
If they need to move to another place, they must undergo three rapid antigen tests in the course of three days.
Under the draft plan, aliens are required to self-quarantine at a hotel or their residence for a mere 24 hours.
The Health Ministry also imposed tighter regulations on the entry of children under 12 and high-risk people. Specifically, the ministry requires those aged 65 or older, pregnant women or people with underlying health conditions to be fully vaccinated against Covid.
Children 12 or younger must travel with their parents or guardians and take tests as adults if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from the disease. Those who are not yet vaccinated or infected with the disease must remain at their residence for 24 hours.
No testing requirement applies to children under two, according to the Health Ministry.
In addition, the Ministry of Health requires all aliens entering Vietnam to install and activate the PC-Covid mobile app.
The draft plan on “Solutions to full tourism reopening” will be sent to the Government after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism collects feedback from the relevant ministries and departments, the local media reported.
On February 15 the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Health, Foreign Affairs, Transport and National Defense have jointly proposed fully reopening the tourism sector from March 15.
