A plan of welcoming about 6,000-9,000 vaccinated international tourists on charter flights to Phu Quoc, the resort island in the southern province of Kien Giang, is set on a trial basis from October to December 2021.

This is the first three-month phase of a “sandbox” program drafted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aiming to stimulate the recovery of the tourism industry after suffering a severe blow from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phu Quoc Island will receive up to 40,000 foreign arrivals for the sandbox program. Photo: Emerald Resort Ong Lang Beach

In the next phase, running from January to March, the number will rise to 5,000-10,000 tourists per month who will come through scheduled commercial flights and be allowed to travel further on the island.

Foreign tourists eligible to arrive in Phu Quoc are those who are fully vaccinated with two shots and in possession of a certificate issued by the Vietnamese authority, as well as registered for a tour package offered by a travel agent. 

The plan has been informed to ministries of foreign affairs, public security, and health, as well as relevant branches to collect opinions about its deployment.

Previously, the Kien Giang Province People’s Committee asked the Ministry of Health to allow foreign arrivals who have Covid-19 vaccination certificates to visit Phu Quoc Island, especially with priorities given to tourists from Russia as they accounted for the majority of tourists to the island before the outbreak of the pandemic. 

To reopen the inbound market this year as expected, the provincial authorities have proposed the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination for 100,000 residents before September. The vaccination plan needs an estimated 220,000 doses, starting this July, and about 16-18 weeks for completion.

Recently, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has created a vaccine digital certification system at the website https://travelpass.tourism.vn in preparation for reopening inbound activities amid the Covid-19 period.