Vietnam To Further Loosen Entry Requirements For Tourism Reopening

After a two-year closure, plans are being finalized for Vietnam to fully reopen to international tourism by this April. Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a proposal to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh this week that the country should reopen by March 31 rather than waiting until May. The pitch is that an earlier reopening will boost international arrivals by Vietnam’s high tourist season, and help those in the travel industry which have been struggling over the past two years. The ministry stated that, ”If the country is slow in reopening, it would lose its opportunity to attract foreign tourists as many regional countries have already restarted their international tourism.” According to reports in this local paper, the Prime Minister released a statement on Thursday saying that Vietnam can reopen when certain groups of the population have received their booster shots and suitable immigration control policies are in place. Plans Include Extending Eligibility Of ‘Green Zones’ And More Freedom Of Movement The plans submitted by the Ministry include extending the eligibility of the regions currently allowed to welcome foreign tourists, also known as “green zones”, given that the locals have received their third Covid shot and any potential outbreaks in the regions are contained. The regions of Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh were the first regions in the country to welcome foreign visitors since locking down in early 2020 but tourism is yet to come back full swing. Vietnam is currently in the second phase of reopening, which is scheduled to end on March 30.